Golden Rectangular Catering Tray, 28 × 42 cm, rigid cardboard for buffets and receptions
Present your culinary creations with elegance thanks to our rectangular catering trays made of high-quality rigid cardboard, with a glossy gold finish. Standard size 28 × 42 cm, dimensions designed to accommodate the majority of professional reception trays. These trays will enhance your individual desserts, petit fours, sweet and savory treats, canapés, toasts, and all cocktail buffet pieces. Essential for caterers, pastry chefs, restaurateurs, and event organizers seeking impeccable professional presentation.
At Patissland, these golden catering trays form the basis of any successful event presentation. Their glossy gold finish immediately evokes festivity, celebration, and prestige, making them the ideal support for weddings, baptisms, corporate receptions, year-end parties, upscale birthdays, and all events where presentation matters as much as content. Available individually for occasional needs or in packs of 25 for professional stock management.
Detailed technical specifications
Dimensions 28 × 42 cm, professional standard format
Width: 28 cm
Length: 42 cm
Shape: rectangular
This 28 × 42 cm size corresponds to the professional catering tray standard used by most reception professionals in France and Europe. The elongated proportion (2:3 ratio) offers a harmonious staging of cocktail pieces, much more visually appealing than a square tray. Dimensions suited for transport in all catering boxes on the market, especially those offered by Patissland in the 28.5 × 42.5 cm format.
High-quality rigid cardboard
The high-quality rigid cardboard used for these trays offers:
Perfect rigidity, no flexing even when loaded with multiple cocktail pieces
Dimensional stability, retains exact dimensions over time (no deformation with moderate ambient humidity)
Transport resistance, withstands handling and minor vehicle vibrations without bending
This rigidity is essential to maintain a clean and flat presentation throughout the event, from kitchen preparations to service in the dining room.
Glossy gold finish, event elegance
The glossy gold finish of the trays adds a festive and high-end dimension that is immediately noticeable. Gold is the universal color of celebration, it pairs well with:
With light sweet bite-sized desserts (macarons, éclairs, tartlets) for an elegant chromatic contrast effect
With savory cocktail pieces (canapés, mini-burgers, toasts) for a "prestige caterer" look
With formal event themes (weddings, baptisms, gala evenings, corporate cocktails, year-end parties)
The golden reflection enhances the colors of the preparations without ever stealing the spotlight from the creations.
Direct food compatibility
The tray is designed for direct food contact. You can place your bite-sized desserts, canapés, and cocktail pieces directly on the surface without a liner. For very moist or very greasy preparations, it is recommended to use individual paper cups under each piece, not for sanitary reasons but to facilitate service (each guest takes their cup with their piece) and to keep the tray looking clean throughout the event.
Two purchase formats, single and pack of 25
Available in two packagings:
Individually, ideal for occasional needs, a specific event, a test before bulk purchase, or to top up stock at the end of the week when only a few are missing
In packs of 25, optimized for professional stock management, corresponds to the average consumption rate of a caterer over 1 to 2 weeks depending on the size of the business
The product is strictly identical in both formats, only the packaging changes.
Light and easy-to-carry tray
The rigid cardboard offers good stiffness without being heavy, each tray weighs only a few dozen grams. This lightness makes transport easier on event sites where several trays are handled simultaneously (kitchen exit, loading into vehicle, unloading on site). A caterer delivering 10 to 15 trays for a reception saves valuable time with lightweight supports compared to heavy metal trays.
Recommended professional uses
High-end weddings and receptions
The main use of the golden tray, wedding receptions. Gold evokes celebration, happiness, and prestige, universal visual codes of weddings regardless of the chosen theme (classic, vintage, modern chic, rustic). Golden trays perfectly hold trays of sweet bite-sized desserts (dessert at the end of the meal) as well as savory cocktail pieces (welcome cocktail). For an average wedding of 100 guests, count on 10 to 15 trays depending on the chosen formula (cocktail only or cocktail + full meal).
Cocktails and corporate events
For corporate cocktails (product launches, end-of-year parties, farewell parties, seminars, general meetings), the golden tray gives the event a polished and professional dimension that flatters guests. Even for an internal office event, presentation on golden trays transforms a simple snack break into a true branding moment. Caterers working in the corporate segment quickly build up a substantial stock of this type of tray to meet demand.
End-of-year celebrations and seasonal events
The gold finish resonates especially with end-of-year celebrations (Christmas, New Year, New Year's Eve), a busy season for caterers and pastry chefs. Sweet trays served during family holiday dinners, corporate reception buffets before holidays, trays of king cakes and chocolates for January greetings—this seasonal cycle is ideal for using golden trays that bring the expected festive touch.
Baptisms and family events
For baptisms, communions, and prestigious birthdays (60, 70, 80 years), the golden tray finds its natural place. High-end private receptions, organized at home or in a rented venue, greatly benefit from a refined presentation that turns the meal into a memorable moment. Family ceremony caterers make these trays a standard for their clientele.
Sweet assorted trays for display
For pastry chefs in shops, the golden trays allow the creation of assorted sweet trays to offer for takeaway sales. Presentation of 30 to 50 macarons, 20 to 30 mini éclairs and tartlets, and daily chocolate pieces. The gold base highlights the colors of the items (pink macarons, brown éclairs, red tartlets) with a very commercial visual effect. Pre-composed tray offered as an "event" piece that immediately stands out from classic individual sales.
Hotel and restaurant buffets
Hotels and restaurants offering buffets (breakfast, brunch, event buffet) frequently use these golden trays to present pastries, viennoiseries, toasts, and other finger foods. Large enough format to offer a varied assortment on a single piece, gold finish that matches classic hotel decorations. Frequent turnover (renewed at each service), hence the advantage of buying in bulk (pack of 25).
Complementary Patissland products
Matching transport box 28.5 × 42.5 × 6 cm
The essential complement to the catering tray: the white transport box 28.5 × 42.5 × 6 cm offered by Patissland, specifically sized to hold this tray with stable support. The "gold tray + white box" combo forms the complete catering delivery solution, neat presentation upon arrival at the client’s and protection during transit. Many professionals systematically order both together in the same quantities.
Individual cases and capsules
To protect your petits fours and prevent them from sticking together during transport or sliding on the smooth tray surface, Patissland offers individual paper cases in various diameters (round, square, scalloped). Placing each item in its case also improves guest handling, as each person takes their piece with its case without touching neighbors or the tray, ensuring perfect hygiene.
Catering trays in alternative finishes
If gold does not match your theme, Patissland offers other catering tray finishes in the same range and dimensions:
Silver, for chic contemporary, winter, or modernist themes
White, for neutral and clean minimalist-style presentations
Black, for sophisticated receptions and contemporary bistronomy style
Many caterers keep several colors in stock to adapt according to the order.
Ribbons and decorations to personalize
To personalize your presentation, place a paper strip or satin ribbon across the tray (often seen on high-end trays), or slip in small name tags in front of each cocktail item category to facilitate service. These finishing touches are highly appreciated by clients and immediately distinguish an ordinary catering tray from a refined presentation "like in a fine restaurant."
Silver cake drums for large items
For larger items (whole cakes, wedding cakes, tiered cakes) that do not fit the flat tray format, Patissland offers 12 mm thick silver cake drums in various diameters. Combine both approaches at the same event: gold trays for individual petits fours + silver cake drums for the centerpiece (wedding cake, baptism tiered cake).
4 mm silver rectangular bases
The 4 mm rectangular bases complete the range for specific uses, including individual logs or long desserts that do not fit the wide tray format. Choose according to the item to present: catering tray for assortments of petits fours, silver base for logs and desserts to be served whole or sliced.
Frequently asked questions
How many treats can a 28 × 42 cm tray hold?
Approximate capacity by type of pieces:
Macarons (Ø 4 cm): 50 to 60 pieces in a tight grid
Mini pastries (Ø 4-5 cm): 30 to 40 pieces
Mini square canapés (3 × 3 cm): 80 to 100 pieces
Mini-burgers (Ø 5-6 cm): 20 to 25 pieces
Low verrines (Ø 3-4 cm): 30 to 40 pieces
These numbers correspond to aesthetic plating with some space between pieces, leaving the tray visible at the edges to highlight the gold finish.
Is the tray single-use or reusable?
For end customer use, the tray is considered single-use. It is delivered with the treats and remains with the customer after receipt. However, in intermediate use in the kitchen (to assemble and temporarily store trays in the fridge before delivery), the same tray can be used multiple times in the same day as long as it remains clean and intact. Professionals systematically replace the tray for each customer order, which is why the pack of 25 format is the standard.
Can the tray be cleaned with water?
No. The tray is made of rigid cardboard covered with a gold coating. Immersion in water weakens the cardboard and can damage the gold coating. For professional use, if the tray is soiled, replace it with a new one rather than trying to clean it. For light cleaning (dust, dry marks), a soft, slightly damp cloth wiped quickly may suffice, without immersion or soaking.
Can the tray hold hot items?
No. The tray is designed for cold or room temperature items, not for hot foods straight from the oven. Heat could damage the gold coating and the internal glue of the cardboard. For hot buffets, use other suitable supports (porcelain dishes, dedicated metal trays). Hot treats placed on a gold tray would quickly lose their temperature anyway; this is not the appropriate use.
Is the tray refrigerator-safe?
Yes. The tray perfectly withstands refrigerator temperatures (0°C to 6°C). Common professional use: assemble trays at the end of the day, store them in the fridge overnight, and deliver the next morning. Leave slight ventilation between stacked trays if you put several in the fridge to allow cold air circulation. No prolonged freezing (possible weakening of the cardboard).
How to plate a tray aesthetically?
Some basic principles for professional plating:
Geometric arrangement, align the pieces in lines or a regular grid for a visually satisfying "organized" effect
Alternate colors, if your pieces are colorful (macarons for example), alternate tones to create a color rhythm (pink, green, yellow, pink, green, yellow)
Leave space, don’t overload the tray, keep 2-3 cm margin all around to highlight the gold finish
Create a focal point, place the most impressive piece in the center or diagonally to attract the eye
Use liners, they structure the tray and prevent direct contact between pieces
Can the tray be customized?
Yes, several simple options:
Place a thin satin ribbon diagonally on the tray for a "gift" effect
Stick a name label with your brand or client's name (birthday, wedding)
Slip small labels in front of each group of bite-sized treats to indicate their name or allergens
Place a small business card in the center of the tray (before arranging) that will be visible when unpacking
These options require no industrial printing and allow customization per order for each client.
How to store unused trays?
Store trays flat, stacked, in a dry, temperate place away from direct light (which could slightly dull the gold finish over the very long term) and humidity (avoid damp cellars). A stack of 25 trays is only a few centimeters high, so storage is very compact. Keep them in their original packaging until used to avoid fingerprints or dust.
Is the tray compatible with cling film?
Yes. To wrap a loaded tray before transport (dust protection, keeping pieces in place), you can stretch regular cling film over it, securing it under the tray. This is a common practice in catering; the film is removed at the time of service on site. Be careful not to stretch the film too tightly to avoid crushing taller pieces of the arrangement.
Gold tray or silver tray, which to choose?
A matter of theme and atmosphere:
Gold tray (this product), festive, prestigious, warm connotation. Perfect for weddings, baptisms, year-end parties, birthdays, warm ceremonies. Highlights the warm colors of pastries.
Silver tray, chic, modern, elegant connotation. Perfect for corporate cocktails, contemporary galas, minimalist receptions, high-end events with a sober style.
Many caterers keep both colors in stock to adapt according to the customer's order. Half of the orders use one, the other half use the other, depending on the event theme.
- Order Preparation: 0 to 2 working days
- France, Belgium, Germany: 1 to 2 working days
- Europe: 2 to 5 working days
- Click & Collect Osny: 24-48h
- FR, BE, DE: based on weight
- Europe: based on country and weight
- Click & Collect Osny: Free