FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE

Food and beverage service is the service of food made in the kitchen and drinks
prepared in the bar to customers (guests) at the food and beverage premises, which can
be restaurants, bars, hotels, airlines, cruise ships, trains, companies, schools, colleges,
hospitals, prisons, takeaway, etc.
OUTLETS

The food and beverages are served to guests through different outlets. Each of the
service outlets has a specific style of service. Food and beverage outlets are divided into
the following categories:
1. RESTAURANT
A restaurant is an outlet that has provisions for dispensing food and beverages
to its customers. It covers a wide variety of operations. They vary in styles and
standard of service, size and layout, dcor and ambiance, types of dishes they serve,
quality of service equipments, forms of entertainment, and the price it quotes on its
menu and beverage list. There are various types of restaurants:
a. Fine Dining Restaurant - Fine Dining Restaurants are characterized by their
elaborate and exclusive menu with special emphasis on the very high quality
food they serve. These restaurants stand apart from the rest with their
classical presentation in every form - the dishes on the menu, the beverage
list, the ambience, the quality of crockery and cutlery, the service, the types
of entertainment, etc. The prices are generally high and the guests are
strictly admitted inside the premises according to the establishments dress
code.
b. Casual Dining Restaurant A casual dining restaurant is a restaurant that
serves moderately-priced food in a casual atmosphere. Except for buffetstyle restaurants, casual dining restaurants typically provide table service.
Casual dining comprises a market segment between fast food
establishments and fine dining restaurants. Casual dining restaurants usually
have a full bar with separate bar staff, a larger beer menu and a limited wine
menu. They are frequently, but not necessarily, part of a wider chain,
particularly in the United States.
c. Family Style Restaurant - Restaurants with affixed menu and fixed price,
usually with diners seated at a communal table such as bench seats. More
common in 19th and early 20th century, they can still be found in rural
communities, or as theme restaurants, or in vacation lodges.
d. Ethnic Restaurants Ethnic Restaurants specializes on service of food and
beverages of a particular region. Indian, Oriental, Asian, Spanish, Greek,
Italian, Creole and Cajun are just some of the many types of ethnic cuisine
available with establishments tending to reflect ethnic origin. Many of the
standard dishes are now appearing within a range if other menu types.
e. Specialty Restaurant The Specialty Restaurants are those that specialize on
certain type of preparations like Tandoori Items, Burgers, Sandwiches, Sea
Foods, Vegetarian, etc. Its entire atmosphere dcor are similar to a particular
type of food or theme with specific dedicated meal courses. These restaurant
usually have a type of National or Regional Character or Cuisine attach to
them like Italian Specialty Restaurant, Chinese Specialty Restaurant, or
sometimes Multi Cuisine Specialty Restaurant.
f. Grill Room is a restaurant that is uniquely different from the rest. It is a
large hall portioned by a glass where one side is the restaurant and the other

side is the kitchen. The kitchen is practically in full view of the guest which
can be seen through the glass portioned wall. The guest can see how what is
to be cooked for him. He can also order the particular cut or choose the
particular whole carcass which is to be cooked for him.
g. Themed Restaurant These restaurants have the ambiance describing the
name of the restaurant, or a particular occasion. These restaurants basically
hold certain event dining or food festival nights. Often International in
orientation e.g. beni-hana, oriental theme, with food prepared and cooked
at the table. Also includes themes such as jungle, rainforest or music/opera
where waiting staff are also performing as well as serving.
h. Popular Catering and Fast Food Outlets The fast food catering is
predominantly influenced by American lifestyle food products. The service of
food & beverage in these outlets are at a faster pace, than an a la cart
Restaurant as the menu is compiled with a special emphasis on the speed
of preparation and service. Developed from table service teashops and cafes
through to steakhouses, and now incorporating snack bars, kiosks, diners,
takeaways and cafeterias, with modern-day burger, chicken and fish concept
together with ethnic foods also being included. Meeting the needs of all day
meal taking (grazing) and also meeting the need for 'grab and go' service
especially for leisure, industrial and the travelling market requirements. The
objective of the popular catering establishment is to provide a quick and
economical meal in a clean and standardized dinning room. The type of
menu can vary from ordinary to specialty ones. The economical price is
maintained through type of service, quality of crockery and cutlery, humble
ambience, and less spacious seating layout.
i. All Day Dining Restaurants/Coffee Shop They are sometimes called Coffee
Shop or Cafes in hotels. They are usually big in size with many Covers
(seats), compared to other restaurants in the same hotel. The main reason
why they are called All Day Dining Restaurant is because their hours of
operation, as they are open for breakfast in the morning, to lunch in the
afternoon and dinner in the evening.
2. LOUNGE
Lounges can be found in different hotels. Their main purpose is to offer food and
drinks with comfortable and cozy seating in relaxed surroundings. There are many
kinds of Lounges ranging from a Lobby Lounge, Cocktail Lounge and Cigar Lounge to
Executive and Club Lounge in special floors.
3. BAR
A Bar is a place where alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages are served. There is
usually a small Snacks Menu too. They vary in ambience and set-up. It usually consist
of a dispense counter with high stools surrounding it and provision for seating away
from the counter with low tables and chairs. A light music runs in the bar which gives
best satisfaction to the guests. There are various kinds of bars ranging from Formal
Bars to Club Bars, Pubs, Pool Bars, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars, Beach Bar to Juice Bar
and many more.
a. Pubs are famous for their expensive wines and spirits and other alcoholic
drink. Bartenders produces exclusive cocktails; and great sommeliers to keep
the wine glass full.
b. Restobar a bar in conjunction with a restaurant.

c. Licensed Bar Licensed environment primarily for drinking. May be simply a

serving bar with standing room for customers or may have more plush
surroundings incorporating the offer of a variety of food. These can range
from simple plated dishes trough to establishments offering full restaurant
service. Sometimes called Gastropubs.
d. Wine Bar often mixture of bar and brasserie style operation, commonly
wine themed, serving a variety of food.
4. DISCOTHEQUE
This is an outlet where people go to enjoy themselves. Popular snacks and
alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages are the items on the menu dispensed through
self service. The enjoyment is provided through recoded music which is played by a
person known as Disk Jockey (DJ) and a large dance floor where the people dance
according to the tunes and beats. The ambience of the discotheque is very different
as it provides psychedelic lighting, superior quality sound system, etc., from other
entertaining outlets. It is aided by a bar where efficient bartenders adept in juggling
dispense popular mocktails and cocktails. The service is self help service. The dress
code is less formal and in some occasions like in an ethnic or particular themed night
the guests are requested to wear such clothes that would suit the occasion.
5. NIGHTCLUBS
By the name itself it is implied that the night club opens at night. The normal
operational period for a night club being between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The dress code is
strictly formal and is often specified. The ambience defines its elite-ness and so is its
elaborate service. The crockery, cutlery, the wine list, the menu are of premium
standard and are highly priced. There is a live band or crooner on the stand who will
provide the audio entertainment, often playing according to customers request. A
well polished floor beckons the guests to dance, and often live shows like cabaret or
ethnic dances are performed by professional performers.
6. ROOM SERVICE/IN ROOM DINING
Room Service, also known as In Room Dining, is the service of food and
beverage in guest rooms in a hotel or a resort. The menus, like the coffee shop, will
vary according to the time of the day, viz. different menu for lunch, dinner, brunch,
afternoon tea and breakfast, etc, but the price may be usually higher for the cost of
additional labour and equipments.
7. MEETING AND CONFERENCE ROOMS/BANQUET
Meeting and Conference Rooms together with Ball Rooms/Banquet Halls come
under the Banquets and Conference Section. They are a great source of revenue in
Food and Beverage Department usually in corporate or city hotels. They provide a
room for meal and drinks. MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions)
can alone bring much revenue in some hotels in comparison to other outlets in hotel.
8. DELICATESSEN
Delicatessen or Deli traditionally has been a place where fresh meat and other
product were available. Hotels nowadays use this concept of having a Deli on their
premises, where guests can buy fresh produce ranging from freshly baked bread,
cold meat, fresh salads, cakes, home made ice creams and light and healthy
drinks.

9. OTHERS
There are many other Food and Beverage outlets ranging from fast food outlets, food
courts, snack bars, which are usually stand alone or in a shopping centre.
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