The role of banquets
Banquets
A large gathering of people consuming food and beverages for the purposes of a ceremony or event.
sales
they are well-versed in promoting them to potential clients.
Security
They play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of guests, staff, equipment, and the property. Cameras are often used in monitoring situations.
phoning potential clients who were not expecting to be contacted by a salesperson.
cold calls
are formal rules that should be followed to ensure proper etiquette at events such as religious ceremonies and military events.
protocols
As a general rule, a banquet kitchen is prepared for a 5 to 10 percent planned overage.
Planned overage
Catering
closely aligned with the delivery of food service in other areas or other locations.
Event planners/wedding planners:
These positions may be involved in sales, but they primarily focus on the logistics of planning and executing events.
personnel are responsible for the logistics of special events. They work with many teams to ensure the event runs smoothly. They may oversee items used in the production of an event such as special effects, décor, staging dance floors, and pipes and drapes. They work with set-up crews, electricians, security, and other departments.
Production
what type of calls are the ones in which you call past customers to call upon for regularly scheduled functions, such as corporate training events and holiday parties.
warm calls
A meeting held after an event to determine what did and did not go well.
post event debrief
Guest count; who is counted for?
Banquet managers count people as they arrive. They count the people on stage, in the hallway, outside, and even others that might be in the restroom.
captains
in charge of the dining room floor staff or service staff teams.
Personnel that are involved in the planning, setup, execution, and breakdown of any and all technologies associated with events.
Information Technology (IT)
who books banquets
Sales department
common banquet issues: mention 5
event timing early, event timing late, miscommunication, guest count overage, inadequate staffing, guest count under, inclement weather, last minute cancellations, conflicting events.
An agreement in which hosts are billed for the stated minimum count even if actual counts are less.
guaranteed guest count
bartenders and servers
responsible for the bulk of the hands-on labor associated with setting up and executing events.
personnel that are responsible for providing dedicated audio and visual capabilities for events.
AV (audio visual)
Describes the discussion and terms of a deal; can serve as a sales contract if signed by all parties.
letter of agreement
In beverage consumption: Guests can consume as much as they wish during a given period of time. The bartender keeps track and the host pays. What type of bar is this?
Open bar
banquet setup
in charge of setting up/breaking down rooms, BOH employees are often in charge of inventory and upkeep of china, flatware, equipment, and decorations.
clean the property or venue, including floors, walls, windows, and restrooms.
environmental attendant
A formal agreement between two or more parties that protects both sides.
contract
in beverage consumption what type of bar is the one that Guests purchase their own drinks.
cash bar.
Chefs
Produce the food and they ensure the safe and efficient production of food.
they are out in front of guests and ensure the planning, oversight, and efficiency of a banquet operation. They are tasked with guest satisfaction before, during, and after the event.
banquet managers
A calendar that includes all events or functions in all meeting spaces at a property.
function books
These BOH positions are in charge of cleaning and maintaining wares and equipment. Also called dishwasher.
Stewards
Who has these duties? sales, planning, equipment, function oversight, service skills and emotional intelligence
Banquet managers
Also known as an event sheet or function sheet, this form includes major details of a specific function such as date and time, room setup, AV needs, and food and beverage.
BEO (banquet event order)
Outside vendors
This includes anyone contracted to provide goods or services to the catering operation. This can include anything from music (DJs) to security to desserts
Also known as pre-cons at conferences.
Pre-event meetings