What is a Banquet? This is the definition, function, duties and differences with a buffet

Have you ever attended a wedding, conference or large party at a hotel with neat and structured food service? Well, that is part of the banquet service. 

In the world of hospitality, a banquet is a service serving large quantities of food that has been planned and ordered in advance. Different from restaurants that serve customers directly, yes!

So, hotel banquet is part of the Food & Beverage department, handling banquet events, whether held by hotel guests or by the hotel itself. 

This event is usually held in a ballroom or special room with an agreed concept and menu. 

Apart from the service side, there is also a banquet kitchen, namely a kitchen that handles serving food for large events. 

This kitchen is different from a regular restaurant kitchen because it must be able to produce dishes in large quantities while maintaining quality. 

So that everything runs smoothly, there is an important document called the banquet event order. 

This document records all event details, from the number of guests, type of food, table layout, to other special service requirements. 

So, how does a banquet work and how is it different from a buffet? Come on, see the explanation!

Read Also: Duties and Responsibilities of a Cashier You Must Know

Understanding Banquet According to Experts

The definition of banquet has been explained by many experts in the hotel and hospitality sector.

1. Goodman Raymond 

Banquet is a service serving large quantities of food and drinks carried out simultaneously. 

All menus, drinks and serving times must be scheduled in detail before the event starts.

2. Heru Riyadi 

Hotel banquets are the part of the hotel that not only provides food and drinks, but also handles event planning, from room selection, equipment, to decoration aspects that support the success of the event.

So, banquet service is a service concept that is much more complex than ordinary restaurant service. 

All aspects of the event must be designed and executed with great precision to run smoothly.

Organizational Structure and Tasks in a Banquet

Behind the success of a hotel banquet event, there is a team working in their respective roles. 

The following is the organizational structure of the banquet department and its duties:

1. Banquet Manager

• Responsible for overall banquet service operations
• Organize event schedules and ensure all details comply with banquet event orders
• Coordinate with other departments such as kitchen, housekeeping, and guest services.

2. Banquet Supervisor

• Supervise the team in the field and ensure everything goes according to plan
• Resolve issues that may arise during the event
• Provide direction to banquet staff before the event begins.

3. Banquet Captain

• Directly responsible for the running of services at the event location
• Supervise waiters and waitresses in serving food
• Ensuring the table setup is in accordance with the guest's request.

4. Banquet Waiter/Waitress

• Serving food and drinks to guests.
• Arrange the table according to the chosen banquet service concept.
• Maintain cleanliness and comfort during the event.

From the composition of this team, it can be seen that banquet service is a team effort that requires high coordination so that the event can run successfully.

Read Also: Don't be mistaken! Here are the differences between a waiter and a waitress!

Types of Banquet Services

Source: Freepik

Service in banquets is divided into several methods, well one of them is table service, so what is table service? Read more below, OK!

Understanding More Deeply the Meaning of Table Service

In this method, guests sit at their respective tables and the food is delivered by the waiter. There are several types of presentation in table service, including:

1. American Service 

American Service is a typical American method of serving food where all dishes are completely prepared in the kitchen before being served. 

The waiter then brings the plate that has been neatly arranged and serves it from the guest's right side using his right hand.

In this service procedure, female guests receive first priority before male guests are served. 

Because of its fast and efficient presentation, this method is also known as Quick Service.

2. Russian Service 

Russian Service is a form of luxury service that is commonly used in star restaurants. 

In this method, food and drinks are arranged aesthetically in the kitchen before being brought out by the waiter. 

Dishes are served from the left side of the guest using a service set with a counter-clockwise serving direction.

3. French Service 

French Service is a serving technique where food is cooked, mixed and prepared directly in front of guests using a special trolley. 

Because this technique requires high skills, waiters must be able to cook and mix dishes well.

4. English Service 

English Service is known as a food serving technique that reflects a family atmosphere, so it is often referred to as Family Service. 

In this method, guests remain seated in their chairs, while the food is passed in a relay starting from the guest sitting on the right side and continuing clockwise.

5. Buffet Service

In this method, all food is served at a buffet table and guests take their own food according to the desired portion.

The choice of service type depends on the event concept and the preferences of the event organizer. 

This concept is designed to reduce the workload of waiters in the dining room as well as busy kitchen staff. 

In holding a banquet, there are several stages that must be passed, from preparation to the final stage. 

So, in order for the event to run smoothly, all information must be ensured to be clear between both parties. 

After that, you must also know the difference between a banquet and a buffet, what is it?

Difference between Banquet and Buffet

How? You understand, right? Well, by understanding the differences, you can determine the type of service that best suits your event needs.

Conclusion

Banquet is a large-scale food serving service that is carried out professionally and structured. 

In the world of hospitality, hotel banquets are an important part of handling special events such as weddings, gala dinners and conferences.

So, through a good understanding of banquet service, banquet event orders, and banquet kitchens, large events can run more smoothly. 

Don't forget, use ESB Order so that the ordering process becomes more practical and efficient. Contact the ESB Team for a consultation about your culinary business needs!