BUFFET SERVICE

This is also called self service and is normally used in
banquet functions and i n some restaurants. Food is attractively
arranged on a long table, classified and arranged according to
proper sequence, from appetizers to desserts. Soup is placed on a
soup tureen and the hot entrees in chaffing dishes to keep them
warm. Some equipment like dinner plates and saucers are laid
down right on the buffet table. Instead of the waiter serving the
guests, the guests go to the buffet table pick up plates, china,
cuttkery and knapkin and all other items and serve themselves of
their own choice.


Advantages:
1. It is a fast service.
2. It requires less staff to render the service needed.
3. The presentation of the different dishes can be appetizing.



Disadvantages:
1. It may result in shortage of food especially when the early
ones may serve themselves more; thus very little food is left
for the latecomers.

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RUSSIAN SERVICE

This type of service is the same as that of French service.
However, in Russian service, the food is fully prepared and pre-cut in
the kitchen and then neatly arranged on silver platters by the Chef.
The waiter then shows the platter to the guest as a polite gesture
and serves the food to the individual plates of the guests using
serving cutleries.


Advantages:
1. Only one waiter is needed to each station.
2. Elegant and entertaining.
3. No extra space is needed for the equipment (except for the
side stand).
4. It guarantees equal portions because the food is pre-cut and
already served.
5. Gives the guests personal attention.


Disadvantages:
1. It requires a big initial investment in silver equipment.
2. If many guests are served from one platter, the last one to be
served may see a rather less attractive display.
3. If every guest in a party orders a different dish like steak or
fish, the waiter must carry very heavily loaded tray / trays to
the dining room.

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ENGLISH SERVICE

This type of service is also known as "family style" service. In
this service, the soup tureen is placed before the host alongside with
preheated soup plates and hands them to the waiter, indicating the
person to be served. The same procedure is followed with the main
entree. If so desired, the partly filled dinner plate is presented to the
hostess who serves the vegetables from large serving dishes placed
before her. Then the waiter places the plate before the guests. This
type of service is usually found in coffee shops, family restaurants,
counter service, etc.


Advantages:
1. It is fast. Plates of food are served immediately at the proper
temperature.
2. It is inexpensive.
3. It requires no special equipment.


Disadvantages:
1. Less showmanship.
2. Reduced personalized attention to the customer.

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AMERICAN SERVICE

This is usually called "plate service” because the food is
already placed in the plate in the kitchen ready to be served to the
guests. This type of service is used in coffee shops where there is a
demand for quick and simple service. It requires minimal training for
novice waiters and waitresses.


Advantages:
1. It is a fast and simple service.
2. It is inexpensive. One waiter or waitress can serve many
guests and no special service equipment is necessary.
3. It does not require highly trained technical staff that demands
for higher pay.


Disadvantages:
1. Less showmanship
2. Reduced personalized attention

FRENCH SERVICE

French service differs from others in that all food is served
from the gueridon. This is a rolling cart the same height as the
guest's table. The gueridon is covered with a cloth and is placed
side-by-side with the table. It is equipped with a small alcohol stove,
or rechaud, that is used to keep the food warm for the preparation of
sauces, crepes suzette, jubilee and other special dishes. This
service is very elaborate and elegant. The food is partially prepared
in the kitchen and completed by the Chef or Headwaiter in full view
of the customer. Service of this type requires not only technical
expertise on food preparation but also a good showmanship. The
Chef carries out certain activities like carving meats, preparing
flambe, etc. with flair and showmanship.


Advantages:
1. The guest s given personalized attention making him feel
important.
2. It makes the guest feel that he is receiving a royal treatment.
3. Th service is elegant and entertaining.
4. It commands higher price than other forms of service (pay for
the service).



Disadvantages:
1. It is a slow service.
2. It is expensive because it requires large professional staff.
3. It requires a bigger dining room space to make service and
food preparation convenient.

STYLES OF SERVICE

Five styles of services are internationally recognized:
1. French service or gueridon service
2. American service or plate service
3. English service
4. Russian service
5. Buffet service

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FOOD SERVICE

Service is a term that is used to describe the manner and
method in which food is served to guests in foodservice operations.
In former times, this often constituted an elaborate and convulated
protocol, much of which is no longer in vogue, notwithstanding that
some technical terms are still in use today.
When food is placed directly on plates and served to guests
at the table, this is referred to as service a lassiette. When guests
serve themselves from the dish on the table with serving spoons, this
is referred to a service a la francaise. When the waiter places the
food on the diner’s plate this is referred to as service in the a la
anglaise s t yle. In service a la russe, which is also known as au
gueridon, the dish is first offered to guest for viewing or approval,
and then food is served onto the diner’s plate at a pedestal table or
gueridon, which is located close to or besides the dinning table.