Operating a Food Bar

Appears in
Professional Garde Manger: A Comprehensive Guide to Cold Food Preparation

By Jaclyn Pestka, Wayne Gisslen and Lou Sackett

Published 2010

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Because a food bar is a specialized form of buffet, much of the information about buffets pertains to food bars as well. Like buffets, all food bars have a theme, even one as simple as “salad fixings” or “take-out food.” However, many high-end food bars have distinct and recognizable themes. For example, a Spanish restaurant might offer a tapas bar, while an Italian restaurant might feature an antipasto bar. A specialty food store might offer a charcuterie bar. Within the parameters of your operation, be creative with the choices on both hot and cold bars.