Really? I figure most people just take a little bit of everything the first round to figure out what they liked and then come back for more.
Partly it’s the professionalism - even in these mixer situations, I’m at work and with a client that’s paying a (comparatively) lot of money for me, and demonstrating my ability to down eight plates then back up for dessert isn’t great brand positioning.
There’s also the volume of food at conferences. If I don’t skip a few meals and eat smaller portions at the others, I could end up having a days worth of calories for all 3 meals, plus snacks, for up to a full week including travel.
Alas, whether it was my upbringing or boarding school, I’m also a turkey-cum-labrador when it comes to free food and booze: I really, really struggle to stop eating. I can resist everything except temptation and all that.
now as far as value for your money goes, you probably don't come out ahead at an all-you-can eat buffet unless you bring a solid appetite with you. it's possible in GP's case that the cuisine of the restaurant itself is just too unfamiliar. the pickier attendees might not find anything they like. it's also possible that they don't want to be seen gorging themselves at a professional event where they are meeting a lot of people for the first time.
Personally, I'd be less concerned about being seen as gorging myself in a such a situation, and more concerned with whether or not the unfamiliar food was going to leave me with unexpected digestive issues.
People I don't know, in a place I'm unfamiliar with, eating food I'm not familiar with sounds like a great recipe for caution.
I've heard something similar from other speakers, and it's likely we'll take steps to shift the food exploration to after the event is over.