• Fruit and vegetable flowers decorate a buffet table.buffet 1 image by Thomas Kiebis from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  If you've ever been to a good restaurant you've noticed that the food doesn't just sit on the plate. The chef has taken the time to make it appetizing with garnishes, contrasting colors---no white potatoes, white fish and cauliflower on the same plate---and sauces arranged in a pleasing pattern around the entree. Food that looks good seems to taste better. Decorate your table for a party, buffet or special celebration.
  
  

Fruits and Vegetables

• Fruits and vegetables show up in the food but that doesn't mean you can't use them to decorate the table as well. A pile of polished red apples in a silver dish is a simple but appropriate centerpiece for a holiday lunch. Hollow out a pineapple and fill it with bright flowers for a luau. Incorporate strawberries in a bouquet by inserting skewers through the berries and using them like flowers.
  
  

Elevate

• If you're giving a party with a buffet table, think about presenting the food in more interesting ways. A flat surface with all the dishes, candles and centerpiece at the same level is not as interesting as those same items displayed at different levels. Place boxes, bricks or wood on the table and then cover them with a tablecloth. Put some of the dishes on top of the boxes. Overturn a bowl and use it to support a dish. A lazy Susan has three different heights to present the food. Wrap the silverware in napkins, tie them with a ribbon and then stack them in baskets instead of laying them flat on the table. Vary the heights of the dishes and the food looks more appetizing.
  
  

Theme

• For a special dinner, select a theme for decorating the table. If you're serving Italian food, use sunflowers as the centerpiece, a gold, burgundy and green tablecloth, rustic dinnerware and wine bottles as candleholders. Choosing a theme makes decorating the table easier because it serves as inspiration.
  
  

Expand

• Expand your decorating horizon by using items not normally found in the dining room or kitchen. If you have a beautiful lace shawl it could be become a table runner. Use jewelry as napkin rings or fasten pins to the napkins. Embroidered flowers on a pillowcase would make a lovely place mat for a Sunday brunch, and embroidered hand towels would make great napkins.
  
  

Safety

• When setting up a food table keep safety in mind. If food will be at room temperature for more than an hour it should be kept either cold or hot. Place warmers under hot dishes and ice under cold ones. Candles are lovely to look at but are a fire hazard if guests have to reach over them to serve themselves food. Secure tablecloths to the table so they're not inadvertently pulled off or tripped over.