Linen Lineup

FM Staff

"Gone are the days of boutonniere pins for table skirting," declares Catering and Convention Sales Manager Shelley Pedersen of Goodwill Conference Center in Macon, GA. "It takes too much time and labor."

Instead, she recommends oversized tablecloths that easily drape. "There's no pinning or fussing, and you can achieve a contemporary appeal in a shorter amount of time."

Florida-based catering consultant Bill Hansen suggests investigating the "clean, sleek lines" that spandex and other stretch fabrics can create for tables.

For occasions that warrant it, new products on the market, such as pre-rolled and napkin-ringed paper napkins, with cutlery tucked inside, can still allow operators a more upscale look while using disposables.