BASICS TERMS OF FOOD & BEVARAGE SERVICE V

1.TABLE D’HÔTE OR A FIXED MENU

Table d’hôte refers to a menu of limited choice. It usually includes three or five courses available at a fixed price. It is also referred to as a fixed menu. This term is known to caterers by its abbreviation TDH menu. A table d’hôte menu is a complete meal at a predetermined price.

2.A LA CARTE MENU

A la carte menu is a multiple choice menu, with each dish priced separately. If a guest wishes to place an order he selects the item from the menu and pays for the order he made. In an a la carte menu all items are cooked to order and served with accompaniments.

3.HORS D’OEUVRE

Hors d’oeuvre course aimed to stimulating the palate, and consists of small tasty dishes, using a large array of different items such as anchovies, olives, cheese and smoked fish. They are often referred to a starters or appetizers. This course could also include salads.

4.ENTRÉE

Entee is the first meat in a French Classical menu. It usually comprises a dish made up of steak, cutlets, casseroles or stews. Some example are Steak au poirre, Veal cutlets, and Irish stew.

5.DESSERT

This is the fruit course in the French classical menu and usually presented in a basket (Corbielle de Fruits) and placed on the table, as part of the table décor, and served at the end of the meal. All forms of fresh fruit and nuts may be served in this course.

6.TABLE SERVICE

It is a type of service. Table service is the service done at the table, where the guests are seated. In the table service either service personnel or waiter serves the food to the guests or the guests help themselves.

7.AMERICAN SERVICE

American service is a pre-plated service which means that the food is served onto the guest’s plate in the kitchen itself and brought to the guest. The portion is predetermined by the kitchen and the accompaniments served with the dish balances the entire presentation in terms of nutrition and color. This type of service is common in a coffee shop where service is required to be fast.

8.ENGLISH SERVICE

English service is often referred to as “Host Service” or “Silver service”. The food is brought on platters by the waiter and is shown to the host for approval. The waiter then portions the food and serves to the guest plate.

9.FRENCH SERVICE

It is a very personalized service. Individual portioned food is brought from the kitchen in dishes and slavers which are placed directly on the table. The plates are kept near the dish and the guests help themselves.

10.RUSSIAN SERVICE

Table is laid with food for guests and presentation is done elaborately. Guests help themselves. This is an elaborate silver service much on the line of French service. Display and presentation are the major part of this service. Some parts of the service such as carving and portioning etc are done by the waiter.