Family Style
Family Style is a popular serving method in catering and restaurants where large portions of food are placed on shared platters or in bowls at the dining table for guests to serve themselves, similar to a home-cooked family dinner. It's different from buffet service (where guests go to a separate table to get food) or plated service (where individual plates are served to each guest). This service style creates a more relaxed, communal dining experience and is often chosen for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions where hosts want to encourage interaction among guests.
Examples in Resumes
Coordinated Family Style service for weddings of up to 300 guests
Trained service staff in proper Family Style and Family Service presentation techniques
Designed seasonal menus specifically for Family Style dining events
Typical job title: "Family Style Servers"
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Where to Find Family Style Servers
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Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you coordinate Family Style service for a wedding of 300 people?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should discuss table timing, staff coordination, food replenishment strategies, and how to maintain food temperature and presentation quality throughout service. They should also mention staff training and contingency planning.
Q: How do you calculate staffing needs and food quantities for Family Style service?
Expected Answer: Should explain staff-to-guest ratios (usually 1:15-20 for Family Style), portion planning considering second helpings, and how to organize service teams for efficient table coverage.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key differences between Family Style and Buffet service?
Expected Answer: Should explain that Family Style brings food to seated guests at tables while buffets require guest movement, discuss pros and cons of each, and when to recommend one over the other.
Q: How do you ensure food stays at proper temperature during Family Style service?
Expected Answer: Should discuss using heated plates/serving dishes, timing of food deployment, and strategies for maintaining food quality throughout the event.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is proper etiquette for serving and clearing Family Style dishes?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic service rules like serving from the left, clearing from the right, proper placement of serving utensils, and how to handle empty dishes.
Q: How do you handle dietary restrictions in Family Style service?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to identify guests with restrictions, ensure they have separate plates/portions, and maintain clear communication with the kitchen and service team.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic table service techniques
- Understanding of food safety
- Ability to carry multiple plates
- Knowledge of basic dining etiquette
Mid (2-4 years)
- Coordination with kitchen timing
- Staff training abilities
- Event flow management
- Customer service problem-solving
Senior (5+ years)
- Event planning and coordination
- Team leadership
- Budget management
- Client relationship management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of food safety certifications
- Inability to lift serving trays and platters
- Poor understanding of timing and coordination
- Lack of team communication skills
Related Terms
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