Monday, November 5, 2012

Essential Etiquette In Coffee Service

By Marcy Becker


Houston coffee service can come in two different types, the formal and informal. Formal services are those rendered after dinner. These are also very common especially in formal events or ceremonies where guests need to be served with class. Informal services, on the other hand, are employed only during informal celebrations or gatherings such as dinners or luncheons. Regardless, however, proper etiquette must be observed when rendering the services.

Coffee can be served in varying cup sizes. If you will be serving strong coffee or espresso, then it is suggested that you use small cups or demitasse. These are often served only after formal dinners. Teacups and medium-sized cups will have to be used for drinks served during meals. For informal family gatherings such as breakfast meals, though, large cups are expected to be used.

Servers and hosts should see to it that the servings will be placed on saucers. The saucers must also come with spoons placed at the right of cup handles. Oftentimes, these will be placed together on trays along with coffeepots, sugar, cream and spoon.

If you are holding an informal gathering, you will need to prepare the coffee drinks early on. Set a tray on one specific table which guests can approach in case they would like to fix themselves a drink. You may also set the tray near you if you want to fix the drinks yourself. For the latter setting though, you will be the one to add in both the cream and the sugar as requested. Another setting would be distributing first all of the cups, then passing around the sugar or cream for guests to help themselves.

There are some hostesses who prefer hiring servers who can assist them in both the preparation and distribution of drinks. Such settings usually call for the hostesses to prepare the drinks for the guests, considering their preferences on cream and sugar amount. Servers will be the ones to see through the distribution, placing the cups at the right sides of guests.

At times, servers will be instructed to stand by guests with their trays and coffee pots for individual service. They will be putting in the cream and the sugar as guests request and place the prepared drink on right sides of plates. In case guests would prefer making their drinks themselves, then the servers will have to stand by the left side, offering both the cream and sugar.

During formal occasions, however, servers will be the ones put in charge for the service. They will each be assigned tables which they will be serving. In such situations, the servers will be holding several cups along with the containers for cream and sugar. They will be walking around, inquiring whether guests would want a coffee, then position themselves appropriately for the fix.

It is also possible for two servers to work altogether. One of them will be holding the tray, along with the coffeepot and the containers for cream and sugar. The other server will be positioning himself behind while holding a tray of extra saucers and cups.

In addition, the first server will also be the one to offer guests drinks. He will also be the one to prepare these, mixing in the cream and the sugar. After a guest has been served, the second server will be handing in another saucer and a cup for the other guests. This setting is often employed in a formal houston coffee service.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment