Anyone use as Hostess/Buffet Server/Hotplate type thing?

greenbee

If you think you'll use it (more than a couple of times), and have the room to store it, then yes, it looks good.

However, if you're just going to use it for Christmas then leave it to clutter up the house and get under your feet, then NO!!!

I'll lend you my hotplate if you like... you just have to come down here to get it

Hope you manage to sort something out about work. I know its a tough job, and I guess having had the time away has meant you have a different perspective on it. I MUST go to bed, as I have an early start tomorrow...

piglet6

I have a trolley one and a table-top one (both "inherited" from friends/family, rather than bought new, so at no cost to me...) and I love them both!!!!

I would definitely recommend them - I find them invaluable when catering for large numbers, when I would find it all too stressful to try and get everything ready at the same time (timing is not my forte!! ). I love that I can cook something, chuck it into a hotlock and move onto the next thing, knowing that the first item won't ruin, but will stay hot and fresh. :T

I know, I know..., I am a lucky Piglet to have both options available at no cost to me...

Piglet
x

bagby

I have a rectangular wooden box type thing with removeable metal tray on the top - there are two candles under the tray and this keeps the turines warm on the table. I use mine every xmas and they dont take up much room on the table. I dont know what they call them but have seen them in shops

alisong_2

Lidl are doing a lot of this sort of thing next week, they've got the type you find in Indian restaurants and some other types, might not take up so much room?

Triker

alisong wrote: »

Lidl are doing a lot of this sort of thing next week, they've got the type you find in Indian restaurants and some other types, might not take up so much room?

:TWell spotted, they've got a hot plate for £12.99 too.

Triker

Oooh Aldi have one at £24.99 from this sunday and its a 3 sectioned buffet server. My timing is just right.:D

Triker

Went to Aldi today and they've all sold out.:o Apparently the guy on the till said they went first thing this morning and all other local Aldi stores had rang asking for some as everywhere had sold out.:eek:

Mmm seem to be popular.

seraphina

We were fortunate enough to get one as a wedding present from MrS's nanny and grandad - it's a tabletop one with a warming drawer and three pyrex dishes on top.

It's a Hostess and I thought it was cool retro kitsch until I used it - now I wouldn't be without it. For example, we had people round last night for drinks and nibbles and it takes all the pressure off cooking times - I just cooked my sausages/mini meatballs/veggie samosa thingies and shoved them in the Hostess as and when they were ready and they stayed perfect all night long.

It's also great for warming plates - my only problem is if I have the pyrex bowls in then the warming cupboard is too narrow for eg. a big Denby serving dish. I don't know what temperature it sits at but it's obviously been well thought about - it keeps everything piping hot with the minimum of overcooking. The pyrex dishes are handy for straight from the oven to the hostess trolley.

Main advantages - takes off all the pressure on cooking times.

Also I've got a metal place to cut a sheet of stainless steel to fit over the top, which gives me a flat surface when I take the Pyrex dishes out. Then I can leave bigger dishes in the drawer and put normal dishes on top.

Essex-girl_2

Just received my Netto email & that have a heated buffet server (3 dishes) for £24.99 instead of £49.99 from Monday.

I have one that I bought from Tesco years ago for £60 which has 3 pyrex dishes and a under compartment and I only use it 2/3 times per year but it is a goodsend at Xmas.