Table of Contents
Food and beverage service is about serving the customers when they are hungry. However, F&B outlets offer a typical variety of food depending on customers demand, type of operation, location, etc.
The most important meals of the day are:
1. Early morning tea[EMT]
Most often these orders are placed with the room service and it consists of a choice of tea and coffee served with cookies or biscuits. Service is expected to be fast and the timing of this meal is from 4.am to 6.am in the morning.
2. Breakfast
Elevenses, High tea, and Supper are considered the subsidiary meals of the day. Whereas Lunch and Dinner are the two main meals. Although light(lite), the smaller meals fulfill nutritional requirements of and when required if properly planned,
divide the day into even food breaks. Breakfast is considered as one of the most important meal nutritionally. It is commonly
served through the room service or coffee shop. Modern hotels offer complimentary breakfast on a buffet in the coffee shop to avoid the rush in choice of a quick last meal early in the morning. Breakfast is extensive yet it offers to be fast as the guest has his daily routine to take-up and complaints can easily come if not managed properly. 7 am to 10.30 am is the normal breakfast time.
3. Brunch or elevenses:
The word ‘brunch’ comes from a combination of lunch and breakfast. It refers to a heavy meal eaten around 11 am by guests who wishes to skip lunch or those who hate missed breakfast. Today brunch has become very popular in coffee shops and multi-cuisine restaurants, especially marketed extensively on these days. Brunch consists of all breakfast items such as juices, cereals, eggs and special dishes like baked beans and toast, sausages, hamburgers, fresh fruits, along with some lunch choices like noodles, pasta with sauces, Indian breakfast options with a large choice of tea, coffee, cocoa etc,.
Elevenses are the British version of American brunch. However it is lighter in nature, had around 11am, usually offered in coffee shop and contains tea, coffee, cookies, cakes and breakfast rolls like muffins, donuts, Danish pastries, tarts and tartlets.
4.Lunch and Dinner:
These are main meals of the day. All F&B outlets cater to these meals. The variety of service differs from buffet and pre-plated in coffee shops, silver service in multi-cuisine restaurants. They hate seperate courses to offer like starters, soups, main course, accompaniments, deserts and beverages. Menu offer choice as well as some niche items around which the popularity of the establishment centers. Usual meal timing for lunch is 12.30pm to 2.45pm and dinner 7.30pm 10.45pm.
5. Afternoon tea:
Normally served around 4pm in the coffee shop or in lounges to provide an informal atmosphere. It has a large choice of tea, tisans, coffee with cookies, pastries, canopys, cocktails, sandwiches to offer. Usually these meals are restricted to the in-house guests.
6. High tea:
A heavier meal served between 5.30pm to 6.45pm. It is centred around children and offers juices, milkshakes, ice-cream, shakes, sandwiches, cutlets, french fries and Indian options like batura, dosa, pavbhaji alongside with a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.
7. Supper and mid-night snacks:
Both these meals are not popular in Indian food habits, though it is fast picking up with younger generation. Supper are traditionally a household meal served in coffee shops and restaurants located near theatres. It offers limited dishes at high prices. Dishes like spaghetti bolognnise, beef strognoff, grilled mushrooms, steaks, pulav with chicken butter masala and a variety of salads and deserts may be offered. Suppers are served between 11.30pm to 1.30am. Midnight snacks are limited to finger chips, fish fingers, sandwiches, canopys and such small easily prepared dishes along with tea, milkshakes, aerated drinks which can be served by a limited staff brigade throughout the night.