Vocab Tuesday-Catering Terms

Well divas, this marks the third and final chapter of our vocabulary series. I hope you learned something useful! I'll still bust out the schooling from time to time. Today I'll freshen up your knowledge of catering definitions.

Hand Service: All waiters serve the guests punctually at the same time. One waiter for every two guests. This is the kind of service that you've probably seen in a romantic movie when the warming covers are all removed at the same time and presented to the guests.

Russian Service or Silver Service: A very formal style; waiters make their rounds around the room with servers and guests serve themselves from the platters.

Plated Service or American Style: Plates are prepared in the kitchen and brought out to the table several at a time. One server can place several dishes on one banquet tray and present them at the same time.

Buffet Service: The most well-known type; buffet is exactly what it sounds like. A banquet table is set up with all of the preparations and guests form a line to serve themselves.

Food Stations: This style has gained popularity in recent years. Stations are set up around the room of different types of food. Ex: Pasta station, Fruit station, Carving station, etc. This helps control the traffic a little better than a buffet.