trayfuls
Multiple laden platters
Trayfuls is the plural of trayful, meaning the amount that fills a tray.
It measures quantity by container: She carried out trayfuls of hors d'oeuvres, Trayfuls of seedlings covered the greenhouse benches.
The word emphasizes repeated or multiple loads rather than a single serving.
Pre-meal small dishes
- canapesSmall topped appetizer bases
- hors d'oeuvresSmall savory pre-meal bites
- entreesPrincipal meal courses
- refreshmentsLight fare served socially
finger foods · samples · tastings · desserts · beverages · cocktails · dishes · courses
Large serving dishes
- servingsIndividual food portions
- portionsDivided amounts allocated
- helpingsMeasured food portions
- loadsLarge quantities
batches · rounds · stacks · piles · amounts · volumes · multitudes · dozens
appetizers
Pre-meal small dishes
- canapesSmall topped appetizer bases
- hors d'oeuvresSmall savory pre-meal bites
- entreesPrincipal meal courses
refreshments · finger foods · samples · tastings · desserts · beverages · cocktails · dishes · courses · nibbles
platters
Large serving dishes
loads · batches · rounds · stacks · piles · amounts · volumes · multitudes · dozens · scores
overflowing
Exceeding capacity, spilling out
piled high · generous · ample · plentiful · lavish · copious · endless · bottomless · bounty · surplus
banquets
Large formal meals
- buffetsHits again and again
- receptionsEvents welcoming guests
- eventsThings that take place
weddings · parties · functions · galas · luncheons · brunches · cocktail hours · waitstaff · servers · caterers