Meal Service

The way in which food is placed on the table, the number of courses offered and the designation of who serves a meal comes under the heading of Meal Service.

European Service (often termed formal, Russian or Continental)

European service is very formal and elaborate. Efficient and experienced servants arc essential to this type of service, as each course is served from the side on separate plates.

English Service

An offshoot of European Service, is adaptable to homes with minimal domestic help. 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 (often termed Compromise)

Family Service is adapted from the English style of meal service. 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.

First course and salads are often placed on the table before guests are seated to facilitate the rapid serving of hot foods. The hostess may assist in the serving and clearing of the table between courses. Dessert is usually served away from the table.

American Service (often termed Country-style)

American Service is one of the oldest forms of meal service. Dinner plates and utensils arc 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.

Blue Plate Service

Blue Plate Service is designed to serve a small number of people. Food is arranged on dinner plates in the kitchen and placed on the table as diners arc seated. Salads and desserts are often set on the table beforehand.

Buffet Service

Buffet Service is most convenient for serving large groups of people and is popular for teas and receptions. Dinner plates and serving dishes are placed on a table from which diners serve themselves. Guests may then be seated at a dining table or given a lap tray and seated where convenient.