buffet service
Guests serve themselves
Buffet service is a style of food service where dishes are arranged on a table or counter and diners serve themselves.
Common at hotels, banquets, and restaurants, it contrasts with plated service where staff bring individual portions: The wedding reception featured buffet service rather than a sit-down dinner.
- self-serveCustomer does the work
- smorgasbordVaried self-serve meal
- chafing dishesHeated serving containers
- warming traysHeated surfaces for serving
- ladlesDeep spoons for serving
serving trays · carving station · salad bar · tongs · cafeteria · hotel breakfast · banquet · catering · communal dining · all-you-can-eat · wedding reception · family reunion · menu planning · sanitation protocols · potluck · second helpings · sneeze guards · brunch
- dining servicewaiter, waitress, server, waitstaff, hostess
- hospitality trainingfood handling, guest relations, staff training, etiquette training, table setting
- restaurantsmenu, chef, reservations, waitstaff, hostess stand
buffet servicetable service
Meals brought to you
silver service · butler service · white-glove service · tray service · room service
buffet serviceà la carte
Separately priced dishes
made-to-order · prix fixe · omakase · tasting menu · set menu