Holiday Buffet Basics
If you’re planning a festive buffet at home this holiday season, keep the following food safety tips in mind.
Serve small buffet portions. Prepare several small platters and dishes ahead of time. Store cold back-up dishes in the fridge and keep hot dishes in a 200-250°F oven prior to serving.Hold hot foods at 140°F or warmer. Use a food thermometer to check, and serve or keep food hot in chafing dishes, crock pots and warming trays.
Keep cold foods at 40°F or colder. Refrigerate them until serving time. Put platters on ice if food is going to stay on the buffet table longer than 2 hours.
Avoid adding new food to a serving dish already on the buffet. Many people’s hands may have touched the food, which has also been sitting at room temperature for awhile. Instead, replace empty platters with freshly filled ones.
Remember the 2-hour rule. Don’t leave perishable food at room temperature on a buffet table for more than 2 hours, unless you’re keeping it hot or cold.
Following these simple guidelines will help to ensure a safe, delicious holiday buffet for your family and guests.
For more information on food safety, click on the link at right.
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