Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Nearly 50 percent of Saudis prefer buffets on special occasions as a less costly alternative to expensive meals inside hotels and special halls, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported. Buffets are gaining in popularity due to the high costs of traditional dishes and sacrifices. By choosing buffets, one can buy a meal fit for 20 persons for less than SR2,000, which is the cost of one sacrifice. Buffets are also offered at a number of deals: the platinum buffet, the gold buffet, silver buffet and the regular buffet. Muath Al-Himsy, an event manager, said that more and more Saudis are offering buffets during their celebrations instead of the traditional lamb meal. Paying for a buffet is less costly and guests have greater food options. Buffets are also proving an economical alternative with restaurants saying they see a 20 percent reduction in food waste as well. “The most expensive buffet offer is the platinum one and it costs SR140 a person including food, decorations, ushers and waiters. Most Saudis order the silver or the regular buffet, which costs SR60-80 a person,” he said. Ahmad Al-Anzan, owner of a catering business, said buffets vary in prices depending on the cuisine. A traditional buffet is priced at SR7,000-8,000, while an Indian buffet is priced at SR10,000, the Italian buffet is priced at SR12,000, not to mention the delivery price, which also varies from SR500 to 1,200 depending on the distance. On average, the cost of a buffet is SR170 a person although competition is spurring the growing business and discounts are offered by many caterers. A recent study by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry showed that most of the food sector establishments in Riyadh are distributed in the central and eastern parts of the city. Nearly 98 percent of these establishments have capital less than SR1 million and 85 percent of them do not exceed SR500,000 in net income.