Dear Jacquelyn,

I went to out to eat with my family to a buffet-style restaurant. I noticed some people took their used plates back to the buffet for a second round. Can you please refresh on the basic rules of buffet etiquette?

Dear Reader,

Even though buffet meals are a fun way to enjoy a casual outing with friends and family, it does not give us carte blanche to behave with no consideration for other diners.

To avoid a food-safety challenge for the food service establishment and its customers, there are a few things to think about the next time you go through a buffet line.

When you leave your table to visit the buffet, place your napkin on your seat to signal that you are coming back.

Use separate plates for different courses and food stations.

When you go back for seconds, leave your plate behind and get a clean plate. The wait staff will clean your table as the meal progresses, taking away used dishes and glasses. Doing this prevents cross-contamination problems.

In addition to swapping out dirty plates, be sure to take what you touch. For example, if you touch a bread roll, put it on your plate. Don’t change your mind and put it back.

Another way to prevent cross-contamination is to use the serving utensil that is provided for each specific food item. Do not use one utensil to serve several food items. If one food item happens to be contaminated and others are not and you use the same spoon for serving, then you cross-contaminate them all. The same goes for beverages if you need a refill. Always use a fresh glass.

Using common-sense guidelines ensures the buffet dining experience is not only fun, but safe.

Respectfully Yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, specializing in etiquette training.

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