This Long Tray is a Creative Solution to Dining Out During the Pandemic

Designed for Biohotel Schwanen in Bizau, Austria, this long serving tray designed by creative studio March Gut is the latest conceptual design solution to social distancing when dining out.

While lockdown rules are touch-and-go at the moment, several countries have eased up enough for small groups to gather in restaurants and cafes. Measuring 1.2 meters, the tray’s dimensions perfectly respect the social distancing requirement between two people – diners, in this case. Its design limits the interaction time between the two parties, allowing the waiter to slide the tray to the centre of the table, delivering and taking away the dishes and cutlery in one go. Crafted in locally sourced solid maple wood, the tray features a slightly sunken centre and anti-slip mats to keep the tableware in place.

“Alma is a tray and presentation tool that introduces a new art of serving and presenting food to the dining table,” the designers say. March Gut hopes the design brings back the pleasure of sharing communal meals during the pandemic in a responsible manner.

Here’s a look back at other design projects cultivated during COVID-19.