Service à la russe

Service à la russe is a style of dining that involves courses being brought out in a specific order. It contrasts with service à la française, where all the food is brought out at once.

History

The term "service à la russe" was first used in the 19th century, and it is believed to have been introduced to France by Russian diplomat Alexander Kurakin. Prior to this, the dominant style of dining was service à la française, which involved presenting all the dishes at once. Service à la russe, on the other hand, presents the dishes in a specific order, with each dish being the focus of a part of the meal.

Format

In service à la russe, the meal typically begins with cold appetizers, followed by soups, then hot appetizers, then the main course, and finally dessert. Each course is served to each guest individually, rather than being placed in the center of the table for guests to serve themselves. This style of service emphasizes the individual dishes and allows for a more formal and structured dining experience.

Influence

Service à la russe had a significant impact on dining culture, particularly in Europe. It became the standard format for formal dinners, including state dinners and other official functions. It also influenced the development of the modern restaurant, as it allowed for a more structured and efficient service format.

See also

• Service à la française
• Russian cuisine
• French cuisine
• History of dining