Buffet Props, Display Carts & Trolleys

Take everything off a buffet except the food, the chaffers and the plates. It still works, but nobody remembers it. Add a wooden bucket of fries, a row of martabans with pickles, a sushi boat and a golgappa pot at the chaat counter, and the same food suddenly looks like a planned spread. That is the job of buffet props.

Makrey has helped Indian hotels and caterers dress buffet counters since 1981. This collection brings together 29 buffet display props in wood, copper, ceramic and aluminium, from small serving buckets to a 32" copper arc platter.

Wooden Buffet Props

Wooden Buckets and Barrel Bucket

Wooden buckets are the most useful wooden buffet props on any counter. Use the small sizes for fries, nachos, papad and bread sticks, and the larger ones for bread, sharing snacks or as a stand for a serving bowl.

• Wood buckets SZ94 and SZ126: 4", 6", 8", 10" and 12" high.
• Wood buckets SZ315: 15" and 17" across, for sharing portions and bread.
• Wood bucket SZ127: a 16" long bucket for bread and snacks.
• Wood barrel bucket: 17" across and 9" high, with a barrel shape for a rustic counter.

A wooden bucket food presentation works best when the bucket is lined with butter paper and filled to the top, so the food looks generous.

Wood Sushi Boat

The wooden sushi boat comes in 16", 20", 24" and 30" lengths. Beyond sushi and sashimi, it works for cold appetisers, cut fruit and a dessert sampler on an international buffet.

Wood Juice Caddy, Tray and Bread Display

• Wood juice caddy 3-in-1: 16" x 4.25" and 16" high, with three 1 litre carafes, for juices or infused water at breakfast.
• Wood tray with belt: 18" x 13", with a strap handle for carrying, for room service or a bar station.
• Wood 3-basket trolley: 29" high, with three 15" x 9" baskets for breads, fruit or packaged snacks.
• Wood buffet bread cart: 27" x 15", with a sloped basket that shows breads at an angle.

Blackboard and Mortar Pestle

The 28" square wooden blackboard in a white distress finish carries the day’s specials or the name of a live counter. The 9" wooden mortar pestle adds a kitchen touch to a chutney or masala station, and can be used for fresh grinding in front of guests.

Copper, Ceramic and Indian Buffet Props

Copper Arc Platter 32"

The copper arc platter is 32" long in a hammered glossy finish. Its curved shape makes it the centrepiece of a banquet buffet, for mezze, kebabs, a cheese spread or a dessert display.

Martabans, Golgappa Pot and Tea Pot

Indian counters need their own banquet buffet props. Ceramic martabans in this collection range from a 100ml mini jar to a 3200ml jar, in finishes from black matt to copper antique, for pickles, chutneys, murabba and sweets. See the full range in our martabans collection.

The 15 litre ceramic golgappa water pot in a honey finish brings a street-food feel to a chaat counter. The hand-painted aluminium tea pot, in 1000ml and 2000ml, suits a masala chai counter. For more tea service pieces, see our tea and coffee pots.

Buffet Props Ideas for Hotel Counters

A few buffet props ideas that work in Indian hotels:

• Chaat counter: golgappa pot, martabans for chutneys and a small blackboard with the menu.
• Breakfast buffet: juice caddy, bread cart and a basket trolley for fruit and muffins.
• Bar snacks: wooden buckets for fries and nachos, next to our fry baskets and cones.
• International buffet: sushi boats and the copper arc platter as the centrepiece.
• Cheese and bread station: a wooden cheese platter with cloche and the bread cart.

Mix two or three heights on every counter. Use risers and elevations and charlies for height, keep hot food in chaffers, and label each dish with buffet tag holders. For canopy carts and live counter carts, see our buffet display props and carts.

Restaurant Display Props Beyond the Buffet

These pieces also work as restaurant display props at the entrance, the bar or a dessert counter. A blackboard by the door, a barrel bucket of bread sticks at the bar or a martaban display near the billing counter makes a dining room feel finished without changing the furniture.

Caring for Wood and Copper Props

Wipe wooden props with a damp cloth after service and dry them fully before storing. Do not soak wood in water. Oil wooden buckets and boats with food-grade mineral oil once a month. Polish the copper arc platter with a copper cleaner when it starts to dull, and wash ceramic pieces by hand.

Food Display Props Wholesale for Hotels and Caterers

Caterers and hotel groups often need the same props across several venues and events. We quote food display props wholesale by counter and by venue, with GST billing and delivery across India. You can also buy buffet props online in smaller numbers for a single restaurant or a new live counter. For the rest of the buffet, see our full hotel and banquet buffetware.

Buffet Props FAQs

What are buffet props?

Buffet props are serving and display pieces, such as wooden buckets, sushi boats, carts and jars, that make a buffet look planned and give each dish its own space.

Which wooden props work best for a buffet?

Wooden buckets, the sushi boat, the juice caddy and the bread cart are the most used buffet props wooden counters need.

Do you sell food presentation props India-wide?

Yes. We supply food presentation props to hotels, restaurants and caterers across India, with GST billing.

Can I buy food props online India?

Yes. You can order any prop on this page. For large orders, add the props to your quote list and our team will share pricing.