Buffet Cutlery

Buffet Cutlery for Self-Serve and Counter Service

Catering buffet cutlery needs to feel steady when people serve themselves. Guests grab for utensils with one hand, often in a bit of a rush, so we’ve designed these to stay sturdy. They hold up even when trays run low or the serving counter gets slammed.

You can find serving spoons, forks and a few bigger tools that do a great job with larger helpings.

Some of these are going to feel a bit more substantial than others. Some won’t. It all depends on the kind of buffet you’re running and how often you restock the counter.

What You’ll Find Here

They come in a range of shapes so you can choose the right one for the job. A wider scoop for rice or stews, a fork for salads or firmer dishes, or a longer handle for deeper pans – we’ve got you covered.

Some people like to keep two sets on hand – one for breakfast, one for everything else. The breakfast set often takes a bit more beating because the food is packed in tighter.

I’ve seen places keep multiple sets going with this kind of cutlery because it just works so much better than what they had before. It’s not rocket science, it’s just easier for the guests and for the serving staff.

These tools will last a pretty long time if you dry them properly. I’ve lost count of how many kitchens I’ve seen just chuck them in the dishwasher – big mistake. A quick wipe with a cloth makes all the difference.

Tip from a Catering Supervisor

“We used to struggle with the old cutlery, people were having trouble getting the food out of the pan. We swapped to these wider spoons and instantly our service speeded up. Simple as that.”

Related Cutlery Categories

• Economy 18/0 Cutlery →
  Perfect for when you need some lightweight backup pieces for high-turnover sites.
• Premium 18/10 Cutlery →
  Great when your main table setup needs a bit more heft to it.
• Tasting Spoons and Forks →
  Used alongside buffets for small portions or samples.
• Cutlery Storage →
  Makes it dead easy to keep your serving tools all in one place.

Articles You Might Want to Read

• Restaurant Tableware Guide →
  Good if you’re overhauling your buffet tools and your tableware as a whole.
• Common Tableware Mistakes →
  Covers the most common mistakes that can shorten the life of your serving tools.
• Wholesale vs Retail Tableware →
  If you’re going through buffet tools like hotcakes it’s worth a read.

Checking the Rest of Your Tableware

You can pop back to the full catering cutlery section here. Or review the full range of restaurant tableware range here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these tools bend under load?
No, they don’t budge under normal buffet use.

Are they dishwasher safe?
Yes they are – just make sure to dry them properly to keep the finish in good nick.

Can I get replacements?
Yes, most items come as single pieces so you can keep your stock topped up.

Do the handle shapes differ much?
A bit – some are wider for grip, others slimmer so they fit in tighter trays.

Written and published by Ascot Wholesale, we’ve been supplying the UK hospitality trade since 1995.