banquets
Elaborate formal dinners
Banquets are elaborate formal meals, typically for many guests and often marking a special occasion: The wedding banquet fed three hundred guests.
The word suggests ceremony and abundance—multiple courses, speeches, toasts.
Organizations hold banquets to honor achievements or raise funds.
To banquet is to feast lavishly, though the verb is less common than the noun.
Self-service meal display
- gourmetConnoisseur of fine cuisine
- cuisineCharacteristic cooking style
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- platterLarge flat serving dish
smorgasbord · gastronomy · epicurean · savory · succulent · delectable · sumptuous · lavish
Place of occurrence
- cateringSupplying prepared meals professionally
- hostingReceiving guests socially
- seatingAvailable places to sit
- invitationRequest to attend
table settings · centerpieces · linens · servers · courses · menu · place cards · head table
Raised-glass honors
- guestsPeople received hospitably
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- galaFestive formal occasion
wedding · ceremony · anniversary · graduation · coronation · inauguration · awards · charity
buffet
Self-service meal display
- gourmetConnoisseur of fine cuisine
- cuisineCharacteristic cooking style
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
platter · smorgasbord · gastronomy · epicurean · savory · succulent · delectable · sumptuous · lavish · culinary
venue
Place of occurrence
- cateringSupplying prepared meals professionally
- hostingReceiving guests socially
- seatingAvailable places to sit
invitation · table settings · centerpieces · linens · servers · courses · menu · place cards · head table · reception hall
toasts
Raised-glass honors
- guestsPeople received hospitably
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- receptionAct of receiving guests
gala · wedding · ceremony · anniversary · graduation · coronation · inauguration · awards · charity · fundraiser
- medieval lifechivalry, royal courts, jousting, knighthood, falconry
- medieval societyserfs, noble lineage, peasants, serf, heir
- Medieval Englandking, kings, castle, castles, knight
- Court Entertainmentjesters, jester, court jester, court fool, fools
- Medieval Courtscourtiers, court etiquette, court protocol, court ceremonies, court dress
- Renaissance Courtscourtiers, patrons, ambassadors, cardinals, chamberlain
banquetssnacks
Light bites between meals
scraps · crumbs · light bites · nibbles · morsels
banquetspotlucks
Meals where guests contribute
cookouts · barbecues · picnics · eating alone
banquetsfamine
Severe food shortage
starvation · hunger · privation · fasting · deprivation
- royal banquetFormal feast for nobility
- banquet hallVenue for large formal dinners
- wedding banquetCelebratory meal after matrimony
- banquet roomVenue for formal gatherings
- awards banquetFormal meal celebrating achievers
- medieval banquetHistoric grand ceremonial meal