Lunch buffet or individual sandwiches: which should you choose and when?
A lunch buffet is a lunch where sandwiches, salads, and side dishes are arranged on platters and guests serve themselves, while individual pre-made sandwiches are provided and can be taken immediately.
In short: De Catering Compagnon offers both options on-site in Amsterdam, Landsmeer, and Zaandam, for groups of 15 or more. The choice depends on the venue, the time, and your group’s dietary preferences.
You order lunch for your team and are asked: sandwiches or a lunch buffet? That might seem like a matter of taste, but it’s really more a matter of space and time—just like with lunch catering in Amsterdam.
Lunch buffet or individual sandwiches: the difference in setup
Individual rolls are pre-filled. They’re arranged on trays; everyone takes one and moves on. No setup is required, and there’s no need to pass them along.
A lunch buffet works differently. The bread, cold cuts, salads, and side dishes are all set out separately, and everyone puts together their own plate. That requires more space and more time.
So the difference isn’t in the quality of the food, but in how your guests get it and how much space it takes up.
Lunch buffet or individual sandwiches: when sandwiches are a better option
During a short break between two sessions. At a meeting where people remain seated at the table. And in a room where there isn’t enough space for a buffet table accessible from both sides.
This is more practical even when the number of guests is small. We deliver sandwiches for groups of 15 or more; see “Ordering Sandwiches in Amsterdam.”
The downside is that the selection is fixed. Whoever takes a sandwich gets whatever’s on it. If there are many dietary preferences in the group, it becomes harder to divide them up.
When a Lunch Buffet Works Better
During a longer break, in a mixed group with different dietary needs, and when lunch is the highlight of the day rather than just a break.
Everyone puts together their own sandwich, so no one ends up with a sandwich that has something on it they don’t eat. Vegetarian, vegan, and halal options are included among the ingredients rather than in a separate sandwich.
A lunch buffet does require a table that you can access from both sides, as well as time to set it up. See also “Lunch on Location.”
What both forms have in common
In both cases, the bread is sourdough bread that we bake in our own kitchen. The toppings come from our own suppliers: fish from Volendam, meat from a local butcher, and vegetables from a local greengrocer.
For both options, we arrive well before the agreed-upon time, set everything up, and take everything with us afterward, including dishes and trash.
Not sure? Let us know how long the break is, how much space you have, and any dietary restrictions. That usually makes the decision easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a lunch buffet and individual sandwiches?
With pre-made sandwiches, everything is already assembled, and you just grab one. With a lunch buffet, the ingredients are served separately, and you put your own together.
When should I choose individual rolls?
During a short break, a meeting where people remain seated, or a space without room for a buffet table.
When is a lunch buffet a better option?
For longer breaks and for mixed groups with different dietary needs, since everyone puts together their own meal.
What is the minimum number of people for delivery?
Both options are available for groups of 15 or more for a cold lunch. For a hot lunch, the minimum group size is 20.
Is the bread the same in both forms?
Yes. Sourdough bread that we bake in our own kitchen, topped with ingredients from our own suppliers.
Not sure which lunch option is right for your group in Amsterdam or the surrounding area? Contact us, and we’ll discuss the options and provide you with a customized quote.
