Lenox’s Serveware Guide

Whether you’re an aspiring gourmet chef who entertains frequently or a parent who only makes quick meals for your family, serveware is a crucial part of your kitchen. The proper serveware will help make any occasion go much more smoothly, be it a family-style dinner or a brunch buffet. Plus, serveware can add just the right decorative flair to your table.

Before you start shopping for serveware, think about your lifestyle. After all, there’s a lot of serveware out there, from elaborately designed silver serving trays to simple yet pretty porcelain bakeware to durable and functional stoneware serving bowls. If you frequently host sophisticated dinner parties, you probably want to go with something more formal. Or if you do most of your entertaining around the holidays, you may want to shop for some seasonal serving pieces. The following guide will help you decide which serveware pieces and styles are right for you.

Serveware 101

You know you need serveware to make your kitchen complete. But which specific pieces do you need? Here’s a quick overview of the various types of serveware and what they’re used for:

Serving bowls: Serving bowls are multipurpose and can be used to serve anything from Thanksgiving stuffing to fruit salad to chocolate bonbons. The style and formalness of the serving bowl may help dictate its use, but there are no hard and fast rules about what it should and shouldn’t hold.

Serving platters: Serving platters are also multipurpose and, depending on their shape and style, they can be used to serve cookies, pastries, cheese and crackers—anything you choose.

Serving utensils: Serving utensils are a great complement to any nice serving piece, and there’s a perfect combination

of serveware and utensil for every dish. Some examples of serving utensils include cake knives and servers, pierced tablespoons, gravy ladles and cold meat forks.

Serving sets: Serving sets consist of a combination of a few different serving utensils. They may include a cold meat

fork, butter knife, tablespoon, slotted tablespoon, cake server, gravy ladle and sugar spoon. Serving sets come in a variety of styles and patterns, including holiday motifs.

Hostess sets: Similar to serving sets, hostess sets contain a combination of serving utensils, including a sugar spoon, tablespoon, pierced tablespoon and gravy ladle.

Serving trays: Serving trays are an elegant way to present a range of party treats. Depending on their material, shape and size, you can use serving trays to serve anything from hors d’oeuvres to cocktails to the main course.

Serveware materials

Metal serveware: Lenox’s metal serveware is the perfect blend of practical and special. The serving trays and platters go from freezer to oven to table. From Park City’s artistic tree lines to Accoutrements’ more traditional styling, to the graceful scrollwork of Butler’s Pantry, you can choose from a variety of shapes and sizes of metal serving sets.

China serveware: Elegant and classic, bone china serveware is both practical and sophisticated. China serveware is usually safe for the dishwasher and microwave (and, in many cases, the freezer and oven too), and it pleases the eye with its patterns and presentation. Lenox’s bone china serving bowls, serving platters and serving trays will add a touch of class to any gathering.

Porcelain serveware: Porcelain serveware is lightly less expensive than bone china but just as attractive and versatile. Serving bowls and platters made of porcelain are shinier than china and are often decorated with gold or platinum rings.

Holiday serveware: If you host holiday meals and parties, festive seasonal serveware is a must-have for your kitchen collection. Lenox has an extensive selection of holiday serveware and bakeware, from the Winter Greetings Chip ’n’ Dip serving bowl to joyful burgundy Holiday Gatherings serving utensils to a personalized turkey-shaped serving tray.

A crash course in bakeware:

Bake goods are always a hit at a party. And let’s face it—if you have attractive bakeware that’s easy to use, you’ll be much more likely to whip up some tasty pumpkin muffins or a rich chocolate cake.

These days, most bakeware is safe for both the oven and the microwave, making it easier than ever for you to bake. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular bakeware:

Aluminum bakeware: Versatile, durable and easy to clean, aluminum is a great surface for baking, and it makes for attractive bakeware.

Glass bakeware: A popular oven-to-table style, glass bakeware is attractive, stain-proof, and easy to clean. The downside of glass bakeware is that it can’t be used for baking at extremely high temperatures.

Silicone bakeware: Similar to aluminum, silicone bakeware has the added advantage of being safe for the dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer. It is known as the perfect freezer-to-oven dish.

Stone bakeware: Stone bakeware has become increasingly more popular recently. It absorbs and distributes heat well, keeps food hot for a long time, and can be safely used at extreme temperatures.

Porcelain bakeware: Porcelain bakeware easily transfers from the freezer to the oven to the table and, because it is so elegant-looking, you can also use it for serving.

Casserole dishes: Another must-have for any cook, casserole dishes are great for everyday meals and special occasions. Perfect for baked pasta dishes, potatoes and, of course, casseroles, glass or porcelain casserole dishes help make a kitchen complete. Casserole dishes come in a range of shapes and patterns, as well as holiday themes, which add a festive flair to seasonal gatherings.

Using your serveware at a buffet table:

If you’re serving a meal buffet-style, you can use your serving sets to make the table not only visually appealing, but also functional. Here are some quick buffet tips:

• Present your menu items in serving bowls and on serving platters and trays.

• Use the right sized serving utensils to make it easier on your guests and you (less mess!).

• Set up the buffet in a logical fashion, with plates at the beginning, food items in the middle, condiments next to the appropriate foods, and dessert items at the end.

• Use your serving sets to make it easier for guests to serve themselves.

• Be sure to place the appropriate serving utensil (casserole spoon, tongs, fork, etc.) next to each food item. Put a spoon rest or saucer under each serving utensil to help keep your tablecloth clean.

• Don’t overburden guests with too many items.

Other serveware tips:

• Even at a more formal dinner, it’s perfectly acceptable to serve family style—it makes for an interactive meal, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to use your serveware. You and your guests can pass serving platters, serving bowls and casserole dishes around the table. Include trivets on the table to rest the serveware you use for hot foods.

• If you’re too busy to cook, consider serving take-out food in your serveware—none of your guests will know the difference. Keep a variety of serving trays, serving platters and serving bowls in your cabinet just in case.

Whether you’re looking for bakeware to make a treat for an upcoming party or you simply want new serveware to spice up your kitchen collection, you’re sure to find exactly what you want at Lenox.

For a wide selection of serveware, from classy bone china to festive seasonal holiday pieces, all in a variety of beautiful styles and patterns, visit www.lenox.com.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 at 3:44 pm and is filed under Serveware. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.