You don't have to plan your menu around one person. Advance planning is the key. As a guest, you can also gently inform your host before the party that you have some special needs. Serving the Food 1. Buffet Style - guests serve themselves and seat themselves wherever and with whomever they wish.
Food is assembled in a central location, along with plates and cutlery.
Family Style - a casual situation where your guests are seated at a table and food is passed from one person to the next. Formal Style - a dinner consisting of six or more guests with five or more courses. Waiters or waitresses serve the food from serving trays. Outside help is almost mandatory at this type of occasion. Before Dinner Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before dinner are a wonderful way to begin an evening of entertaining, but don't overdo it.