Table Setting and Food Service

Table Setting - refers to the process of arranging tableware in correct, orderly and attractive manner for enjoyable meals.

Food Service - the way the food is served to the diner

2 Kinds of Table Setting

1. FORMAL - Requires more planning, detailed  preparation, and  elaborate  tableware  than any of the other styles. 

2. INFORMAL - At an informal setting, fewer utensils are used and serving dishes are placed on the table. 

- Often, in less formal settings, the napkin and/or cutlery may be held together in a single bundle by a napkin ring.

2 Kinds of Food Service

1. TABLE SERVICE- the manner of serving food at well- appointed homes and restaurants

2. COUNTER SERVICE- also called Snack-bar Service
- Food is either displayed behind the counter for the guests to choose from, or is listed on a menu card or common black board.

MEAL SERVICE STYLES

Russian Service- “European, Formal, or Continental”
- Display and presentation are a major part of this service.
- no finger food is allowed

English Service- "Host Service"
- The host carves the main course and places it on the dinner plate, the hostess places vegetables on the dinner plate and a servant carries the plates to each diner.

Family Service- “Compromise”
- Serving platters and dishes and a stack of dinner plates are placed directly in front of the host. He serves the main course and side dishes onto each plate and passes the plates to each person.
-Dessert is usually served away from the table.

American Service- “Compromise”
- Dinner plates and utensils are set at each place and all serving dishes are placed on the table. Serving dishes arc passed from hand to hand around the table until everyone has served himself.
- Informal table service wherein the dessert may be placed on the table immediately.

Blue Plate Service- food is served on individual plates
- Characterized by the “blue-plate”, a plate that is divided into sections

 Buffet Service- informal tables setting wherein guests line up to get their foods from the buffet table
- most convenient for serving large groups of people

Additional Styles
Cafeteria Service- the menu is fixed and is displayed on large boards.
- type of counter service wherein customers make their selections from dishes displayed at a service counter.

Grill Room Service- In this form of service various meats are grilled in front of the guest.

Room Service- It implies serving of food and beverage in guest rooms of hotels and other establishments.
- It implies serving of food and beverage in guest rooms of hotels.

Tray Service- food service used in transport like trains, ships, and airplanes

A La Carte Style- This type of service is usually provided at breakfast. The order is delivered to the pantry or  galley and the food is  prepared as requested.

Take Out- type of counter service wherein meals are already packaged