A banquet is a gala dinner or dinner. Serving of banquets

A banquet is a formal dinner or dinner organized on an important occasion. The event involves the presence of a large number of guests and is often held in a restaurant or on a specially organized outdoor venue. Modern industry offers different forms of banquet, each of which has its own characteristics.

A bit of history

Celebrations that gather a large number of people at the same table, have become widespread in England. In Russia, for such events, the word "feast" was used. The term "banquet" came into use closer to the end of the XVII century, but was not widely used until the middle of the XX century. And with the development of the restaurant industry, which is observed towards the end of the 20th century, the "banquet" has replaced the usual "dinner party", "gala dinner."

The banquet can be organized about an important private event in life - weddings and its anniversary, the birth of a child, the birthday. And it is also part of a political or secular event connected with the awarding of various awards.

Formats

The organization and maintenance of banquets directly depend on the format of the event. It is customary to distinguish six basic types:

1. A full service banquet.
2. Banquet with partial service.
3. Combined banquet.
4. In a cocktail.
5. Banquet-buffet.
6. Banquet-tea.

Full service reception

The most difficult is considered to be a gala dinner or a full-service dinner, implying strict adherence to the rules of etiquette. A distinctive feature of this type of banquet is the lack of ready meals on the tables and the possibility to choose them at your discretion. All guests are offered the same dishes that the waiters take out at the same time. To ensure that guests can find out what they will eat, each is offered a menu, which lists and prioritises the removal of dishes. Organized solemn event of this type is distinguished by stiffness, therefore it is arranged for especially important occasions, sometimes of national importance.

Solemn reception with partial service and combined banquet

The tables are served not only with dishes and appliances, but also with various dishes. Guests serve themselves, filling their plates with the most preferred meals. Filling glasses are usually also engaged in guests. The task of the waiters includes the removal of hot dishes and desserts with tea. In addition, they remove excess plates, empty bottles and bring drinks, if they are required. This type is the most common option of banquets in the restaurant, arranged on the occasion of a birthday or wedding.

Sometimes the event takes quite some time and includes several types of banquets. For example, it starts with a welcome cocktail. Usually during this time, the maximum number of guests should be gathered. Then follows a traditional banquet in the restaurant, ending with tea. Banquet-tea with its roots goes to England and its old tradition of five o'clock, that is, a tea ceremony, arranged around five in the evening. In addition to tea and various desserts, it is permissible to drink alcoholic beverages, but in a rather limited amount. This event was considered purely feminine and often was the final part of the meetings of different women's organizations. But over time, the borders were erased, and men can take part in them. Conducting a combined banquet requires a lot of financial expenses, so it is quite rare and for the most significant cases.

Cocktail Reception

This kind of events took place in France, and the name comes from the word "fork" - a cutlery used by all guests of the buffet. Its distinctive feature is the free movement of guests around the hall, a joint meal at the tables and the presence of seats is not provided. Snacks and drinks are usually arranged on separate tables. Everyone can put everything he likes in his plate. Banquet-buffet is a rather young type of events in Russia, but almost instantly became very popular. This format is ideal for receptions with a large number of guests and the presence of a small room.

Features of a buffet table

When planning a buffet table, it is important to pay attention to a sufficient number of dishes. Guests as they move around the hall and communicate can leave plates and glasses in various places. At the same time, wanting to eat something else, they will not remember where they put their dishes, and prefer to take a new one. Therefore, it should be at least twice as many as invited. Serving of banquets by the waiters of the buffet is reduced to two tasks: pick up dirty dishes and treat guests with drinks. They are usually bottled and installed on trays, which waiters carry among the guests, and they take what they prefer.

You can do without waiters, or less, if the drinks are also placed on a separate table.

Another nuance of this kind of banquet is the properly chosen height of the tables. The standard height, which has average statistical banquet furniture, is insufficient and can cause inconvenience to guests. Tables for snacks and drinks should be a meter in height.

The menu for such a banquet is snacks of compact sizes that are easy to eat. When they are formed, tartlets, skewers, creams, special spoons, and piles are used. Despite the fact that you can use forks and spoons among cutlery, it is better to think through the menu in such a way that you can do without them.

Since it is quite tedious to spend a lot of time on the feet, a buffet table is usually designed for no more than three hours.

Variants of receptions

A cocktail reception organized in the form of a banquet-cocktail is often held on the occasion of important fashion events. For example, after opening a new boutique or presentation of a collection of clothes. There are no tables here, all the work on serving the banquet is performed by the waiters. They offer guests drinks and snacks.

During breaks between meetings, conferences and lectures coffee-breaks are often arranged. Their duration is usually not more than half an hour, and they are organized in the form of a buffet with full self-service. Special tables are served with biscuits, sweets, sandwiches. Each guest independently pours himself tea or coffee.

A banquet is an occasion to bring together meaningful people for some occasion. The format of its holding can be very different. The choice is affected by the number of invited, occasion, formal or secular planned event, its duration and budget. In addition, it is important and personal preference, and the time of year. So, in summer the open areas are more in demand, and in the winter period - closed premises.