chafing dish
Plural
chafing dishes
1
a portable container with a heating element, used for keeping food warm at events
A chafing dish is a type of serving dish designed to maintain food warm during buffet-style events or catered occasions. It typically consists of a metal frame holding one or more deep, rectangular pans, known as chafing pans, over a heat source like a canned fuel burner or electric element. Filled with water, these pans generate steam to keep the food above at a safe, appetizing temperature. Chafing dishes are used to serve a variety of dishes such as pasta, meats, vegetables, and sauces, at events like weddings and banquets.
- The caterers set up chafing dishes filled with hot pasta for the wedding reception.
- At the brunch buffet, the chafing dish kept the scrambled eggs warm for guests.
- The hotel breakfast included a chafing dish filled with bacon and sausage.
- Sarah's family used a chafing dish to keep the Thanksgiving turkey warm until dinner was ready.
- The restaurant's seafood buffet featured a chafing dish filled with steaming mussels.