How to Set up a Breakfast Bar in a Conference Room

It's always a treat when a breakfast bar is offered at conferences. It's the opposite, sometimes, when you are in charge of setting it up for attendants. The challenge lies in the amount of space available, the number of expected guests and the types of food offered. You can make your breakfast bar adapt to all of these demands, satisfying both the conference leaders and visitors. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Place the breakfast bar at the back of the room so that people may help themselves without having their moves observed by anyone other than the speakers. It is usually best to position a breakfast bar in this area of the room because it creates the least amount of distraction in case it is left open during the first part of the conference. If it is on one side or the other from seating, even adults can get distracted while watching various people refill their coffee or vie for that second donut.

2

Pull the breakfast bar table away from the wall so there is room to maneuver around both sides. Smaller conference rooms will mandate that the breakfast bar be pushed against the wall. In either case, place plates, flatware and napkins on one end of the table only. This gives clear direction for how the line should move, keeping it running smoothly.

3

Place hot plates or warmers close to the plates. Start with eggs, followed by sausage or bacon, then gravy, potatoes or grits. Hot biscuits should be next, and then proceed with hotcakes, waffles or toast. Donuts, coffee cake and bagels should be placed next, and then you can offer various syrups, jellies, jams and butter.

4

Set up a separate table for cold cereals, fruits and beverages. Similar to the hot bar, start with bowls and spoons on one end only. Cereal dispensers work well in place of small individual boxes. It is best to steer clear from sugary cereals that may leave guests feeling sluggish midway through the conference. Whole grains or corn flakes are your best bet. Flaxseed meal is often a welcomed and inexpensive addition to the breakfast bar that can be sprinkled on cereal and will actually, due to the high levels of Omega 3's, aid in concentration. Keep small cartons of 2 percent and skim milk on ice beside the cereal.

Next, supply ample amounts of fresh fruits like bananas, oranges and apples. You can set up the coffee bar on the same table. Decaf and regular are staples to the breakfast bar. However, you can also include hot cocoa, hot water and an assortment of teas, bottled water on ice, as well as juices. Keep cups between the fruit and beverages.