I leave the messy foods for the parents to do so the kids can go from table to bath - no spagetti on the head here. I do a lot of finger foods like pasta but nothing smaller unless all use spoons. I keep them in highchairs as long as they are just learning then they move to the kid table. I use trays to put their food on - got them from the dollar store. And mine stay on cups with lids the whole time they are with me so no spilled drinks. Consider putting a cotton sheet under the chairs to catch foods and then shake it out the door after the meal and toss in the laundry as needed. I find the plastic does fine in the dishwasher if I rinse it off and make sure it isn't overloaded ie everythign is facing down to the water stream so am more likely to load and turn on the dishwasher than handwash. Major kitchen cleaning is more likely to be after our own dinner when I clean up ready to start for the next day.