Banquet and Catering

Banquet and Catering

Banquet is a large meal or feasts complete with main courses and desserts. It usually serves on purpose such as charitable gathering, a ceremony or a celebration and is often preceded or followed by speeches in honor of someone.

Banquet and Catering is a large activity department where food and beverage are served for pre-arranged number of people on pre-fixed number of peoples on pre-fixed date and time agreed menu and price.

Decor and table settings set the mood and the ambiance of the event.

The theme and color scheme are selected by the client.

Table linens such as tablecloths, napkins, and table skirting add to the ambiance of the room.

Setup for a banquet is more than just setting tables. The room must be setup with appropriate tables, chairs, service equipment, and audiovisual equipment.

The diagram of the room arrangement should show where each guest will sit and also the flow of traffic for servers and guests.

4 types of banquet service:
Standing buffet
Passed-items functions
Seated buffet
Seated banquet


Standing Buffet 

• Designed for people to socialize 
• Finger food is served 
• Food stations are scattered around room to encourage mingling 
• Beverage service provided 
• Guests walk around room and help themselves

Passed-Items Function

• Servers walk around with food and beverages on trays
• Guests take food from trays 

Seated Buffet

• Guests serve self from buffet, return to seat 
• Beverage station 
• Servers clear dirty dishes

Seated Banquet

• Servers serve all parts of meal 
• Food usually plated in kitchen and brought to guests by servers 
• Beverages served

Catering is the business of providing food service at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house, or other location. Catering has evolved to become an artisanal affair. Caterers now create an experience that involves the senses.



Types of Catering

On premise catering takes place at the caterers place of business,such as a banquet hall with a kitchen,hotel or restaurant.Usually have the advantage of offering many services under one roof.

Off premise catering occurs when the event is help away from the caterers place of business,such as at churches,country clubs,picnics,businesses and private homes.   

Both on-premise and off-premise catering have much in common. Obviously transportation by vehicle is a main difference. it complicates food safety issues such as packing safely to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold and to avoid spillage.