Service à la française

Service à la française is a style of dining that originated in France in the 18th century. It contrasts with Service à la russe, which is the style of dining that is most commonly used in the Western world today.

History

The term "Service à la française" translates to "service in the French style". This style of dining became popular in the 18th century in France and was the predominant style of dining in Europe until the mid-19th century. It was during this time that Service à la russe began to take over as the preferred style of dining.

Description

In Service à la française, all dishes are brought out at once and displayed on the table for the diners to view and choose from. This is in contrast to Service à la russe, where dishes are brought out one at a time and served to the diners.

The table in a Service à la française meal is typically set with a variety of dishes, including meats, vegetables, and desserts. Diners are free to choose what they want to eat and in what order. This style of dining is often associated with abundance and variety.

Influence

Despite being largely replaced by Service à la russe in the 19th century, Service à la française has had a lasting impact on dining culture. It is still used in some formal settings, such as state dinners, and has influenced the way food is presented in many restaurants.

The concept of a buffet, where all dishes are laid out for diners to choose from, can be seen as a modern interpretation of Service à la française.

See also

• Service à la russe
• French cuisine
• History of dining