The word banquet is derived from a French word ‘banque’. The word refers to a large gathering of people and this gathering generally involves an extravagant meal, including several courses, for a special event or occasion.
There are many occasions that can warrant a banquet: a charitable gathering, corporate event, ceremony, or celebration. Aside from a banquet, there are plenty of options available for those organising a gathering with food. Depending on the occasion and scenario, an alternative to a banquet may be better suited.
Banquet vs reception
Like a banquet, a reception is a formal party or event that is designed to receive a large number of guests – most commonly associated with weddings.
A banquet is more likely to be filled with tables and chairs to sit in throughout the course of the meal, but at a reception, there will be more space for guests to mingle. Around the reception you may find poseur tables for guests to stand around as well as round tables for when the dinner is served.
Banqueting vs catering
At a banquet, the groups of people eat together at one time and in the same area. Catering, however, makes it possible for guests to eat at separate times in a staggered way. Catering is a popular choice when the venue doesn’t have kitchen facilities. A caterer will have their own facilities for catering and the organiser can choose the type and quality of caterer for the event.
Banquets vs buffets
While banquets generally involve table-service, a buffet has food placed in an open area for guests to serve up themselves. As you can tell, there is a distinct difference in the formalities of the two: buffets are more for casual occasions and banquets are the opposite.
Because guests serve themselves, buffets are often chosen to minimise the cost of staff. Buffets also offer a variety as they can be a finger buffet, cold buffet or hot buffet. Guests are also free to go back and forth as they wish.
What type of dining experience should you offer?
Ultimately, it depends on what type of event you are organising. It would certainly be unconventional for a traditional wedding to have a buffet, for example. But each of them has its own place. A buffet would certainly fit in well with a business networking event or perhaps a more relaxed wedding.
Think about the occasion and what would fit in best, perhaps even ask some guests what they would prefer before deciding.
Banquet furniture
When it comes to catering for large groups of people, having the right furniture in place is critical to its success. It needs to be comfortable, attractive and stylish whilst fitting with the occasion of the gathering.
Our extensive banqueting furniture collection includes steel framed Harrow stacking chairs in gold, silver or black colour, Harrow armchairs, Cambridge stacking banquet chairs, Easy Lift trolley, American style trestle tables, plywood folding tables, Melamine stacking tables, Aluminium banqueting chairs in gold or silver colour and many more