Buffets, not multi-course dinners

I REFER to the letter “Stop food waste” published in The Star on Dec 24 (online at tinyurl.com/Star-foodwaste).

I have always wondered whether it is necessary to have several courses of food for wedding dinners.

In the 1950s and 1960s, there were only a handful of Chinese restaurants around and, generally, people were not rich and did not have many opportunities to eat at restaurants. They only ate proper restaurant food at wedding dinners.

Whenever my family received wedding invitation cards, I would jump with joy as my mother usually took me along to the dinners.

At that time, although there were 10 courses, the food was usually finished and there was no waste.

However, recently, I noticed that food at wedding dinners is not eaten up, and there is lot of wastage.

I have noticed that many of the guests would be busy going from table to table to catch up with relatives and friends – they’re too busy to eat, actually, so much of the food is wasted.

Unlike in people in the past, most people eat well regularly nowadays, so food at wedding functions need not be lavish and have large portions.

Besides, the intention of the people attending the function is to join the families of the bride and groom in celebration of the happy occasion. Many people also take the opportunity to catch up with friends and relatives.

Therefore, we hope the mindset of the Chinese people for hosting wedding dinners will be changed to prevent food waste by having buffet-style meals. THOMAS FOO Subang Jaya, Selangor