Subject Name: Food & Beverage
Banquets
Faculty Name : Collin John
Introduction
• Overall, there is an archaeological debate of when feasting began.
Archaeologist Brian Hayden argues that feasts were an important event
because the surplus of food that resulted in feasts turned into social and
political ties and a competition in order to display one's own wealth.
During these feasts, luxury foods were offered to their guest. What these
luxury goods were are still up to debate. However, Hayden argues that
animal meat and rice are some of these luxury goods because they were
domesticated despite their difficulty in doing so. The term banquet,
however, termed from a different time period.
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• The idea of banqueting is ancient In the 16th century, a banquet was very
different from our modern perception and stems from the medieval
'ceremony of the void'. After dinner, the guests would stand and drink
sweet wine and spices while the table was cleared, or ‘voided’. (Later in
the 17th century ‘void’ would be replaced with the French ‘dessert’.)
During the 16th century, guests would no longer stand in the great
chamber whilst the table was cleared and the room prepared for
entertainment, but would retire to the parlour or banqueting room.
• As the idea of banqueting developed, it could take place at any time
during the day and have much more in common with the later practice of
taking tea. Banqueting rooms varied greatly from house to house, but
were generally on an intimate scale, either in a garden room or inside
such as the small banqueting turrets in House.
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An orthodox meaning of banquets is derived from the French word
BAUNC meaning Bench.
Literal meaning being sumptuous repast.
While an Indian connotation can be Dawat, Bhoj or Wazwan.
A loose meaning is a meal arranged for group of people to mark
occasion.
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Hierarchy & Banquet Staffing
Banquet
Manager
Assistant
Manager
Maitre d’ Hotel /
Chef De Rang
Waiters
Porters
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Banquet Server Job Description Example
Here is an example of banquet server job description, consisting of major
duties, tasks, and responsibilities holders of the position usually perform.
• Provide assistance to banquet managers in the serving of guests during
banquet functions to ensure positive guest experience.
• Set up banquet room as requested by the supervisor to include glassware,
serviceware, linen
• Attend roll call meetings before events kick off in order to learn function
particulars, including hotel and guest expectations
• Greet and welcome guests and respond to their requests in a courteous
and friendly manner
• Serve the beverage and food in the appropriate order and in tune with the
expectation of the supervisor so as to ensure consistency throughout the
banquet
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Quickly remove dishes as guests finish each meal at the end of each
meal or function
Abide by all corporate act, laws and requirements pertaining to
serving alcoholic beverages
Replenish beverages when necessary, and check with guests to make
sure they are satisfied
After the banquet, reset banquet room in accordance with the
supervisor’s specifications to ensure the readiness of the room for
other functions
Follow attendance rules and always go to work on a regular basis
Perform other related functions that may be assigned.
Information from the sample job description shown above can also be
utilized in making a resume for the banquet server position.
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Requirements – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for the
Banquet Server Position
Here are important attributes, including abilities, skills, and knowledge base
employers mostly look for when hiring new banquet server.
• Hotel experience preferred
• Must be willing to relate cordially with other members of the team and
help co-workers with their job duties
• Must have basic knowledge of service standards, guest relations, food and
beverage preparations as well as etiquette
• Ability to understand and apply written product labeling instructions to
ensure the safe application of such products cum processes within the
hotel.
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Types of banqueting:-
1. Formal
• In this type of function, certain procedures, such as seating the host, chief
guest, guest of honour, and the invitees, serving the food and beverages
are decided by the host. This should be strictly followed during the
function. Formal functions always include speeches at a specified time
winch at the end of the meal just before the service of coffee. Dress code
for the invitees may be insisted upon. Controlled behaviour of the guests
prevails in the formal function catering.
Functions hosted by the head of the country or state, military, formal
wedding breakfasts are some of the examples of formal functions.
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Class room style setup
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Conference style
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Theatre style
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U-shape style
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Fish bone setup
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E-shape setup
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2. Informal Function
• In an informal function, no formalities and procedures are followed on
seating, serving, and the dress codes. The service is indiscriminate of sex
and rank. These functions normally include entertainment. One can
witness casual behavior of the guests in the informal functions. More of
normal functions are organized in the present days. For example, birthday
parties, cocktail parties, wedding anniversaries, club members meets,
alumni meets, etc.
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Functions can be further grouped into the following types according
to their purpose.
a) Social Function
The purpose of this type of function is to meet people, make new
friends, entertain oneself, and For example, cocktail parties, wedding
anniversaries, birthday parties, wedding dine and dance parties, etc.
b) Public relation
These are organized by the business houses in order to make the
consumers aware of their presence and to establish relationship with
them. Exhibitions, contests for home makers, fashion parades,
dealer's meetings etc. are some of the examples.
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c) Conferences
The purpose of this type of function is to share the knowledge and
expertise and to discuss on matters of concern. Political conferences,
trade union conferences, international and national conferences on
important issues etc.
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Duties of Banquet Staff
Banquet staff duties may differ
from one location to the next and
from one job title to the next but
for the most part, the job
expectations are the same.
Banquet staff should expect to
prepare and set up the seating for
guests, prepare the food and
drinks, serve guests, clean up
after guests, break down the
room, and store things in the
proper location for the next
service.
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1. Setup and Preparation
Banquet staff are expected to set up
the banquet hall with tables, chairs,
tablecloths, silverware,
centerpieces, and other guest-
related items such as name tags or
gifts. Banquet staff also prepare the
food in advance, cutting vegetables,
preparing trays of appetizers,
plating salads and deserts. Anything
that can be done in advance before
the guests arrive will be included in
the prep work.
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2. Seating and Greeting
Banquet wait staff may be responsible for
serving drinks and appetizers before
guests head to their tables. These staff
may be called bartenders. Other staff may
check coats and hats. Depending upon
how the seating arrangements have been
finalized, they may also help escort
guests or assist them in finding their
tables. It is up to the wait staff to keep the
event moving forward. They must be
cognizant of the agenda while serving
guests and keeping them happy.
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3. Serving
Banquet wait staff will wait on guests in a
prearranged method, table by table. Guests
usually have tickets that indicate which meal
they are choosing. The wait staff will
coordinate the appropriate meals with the
kitchen so that the entire table can be served at
one time. For example, one table might have
three fish, three beef and three chicken entrees.
It is up to the wait staff to deliver the correct
food to the appropriate guest. Oftentimes there
are multiple servers per table, with someone
serving coffee, tea, drinks and water, while
another server is delivering food and
condiments. There may also be a specific
server assigned to pick up used and dirty
glasses and plates and bring them back to the
kitchen to be washed.
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4. Clean Up and Tear Down
Banquet events normally include eating,
drinking and speeches. After the meal has
been served, the wait staff clear the tables
continuously. Oftentimes during the
event's speech portion, the wait staff will
be in the back putting food away,
washing dishes and generally putting the
kitchen back into a cleaned state. After
the guests leave, the banquet staff will
remove the centerpieces and linen, break
down the tables and chairs, and put them
away in storage. That will allow the next
banquet crew to start the process over
again based upon the next customer's
needs.
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Thank You