The banquet department is the major revenue-producing department. It concentrates on selling all the hotel facilities to potential guests.
The function of catering is under the direction and control of the banquet manager. The function is organized within the banquet hall, the size of which varies from hotel to hotel.
What is the Function of Banquet Department in Hotel
The main function of the banquet department in a hotel is to organize all types of functions catering under the direction and control of the banquet manager. It concentrates on selling all the hotel facilities to potential guests.
The banquet department of the hotel is one of the major revenue-producing departments. It is one of the departments under the umbrella of the food and beverage department.
Business organizations, Clubs, Families, and Friends organize functions for various occasions. Due to the non-availability of a place to hold the function according to their needs. This is where the banquet department’s responsibilities come to their rescue by conducting the function.
The function is organized within the banquet hall, the size of which varies from hotel to hotel. Some hotels may have more than one hall of different sizes to hold the function of different group sizes or one large hall, the size of which can be adjusted with temporary partitions to accommodate parties of various sizes.
In a smaller establishment, the functions are organized by the hotel manager or restaurant manager in a separate area set aside for this purpose.
There are also stand-alone convention centers, trade centers, marriage halls, etc. which can be hired out and the services of catering professionals may be availed to conduct the function.
What are the Types of Banquet Functions?
These are the different function types at the banquet:
1. Formal Functions
In this Formal type of function, certain procedures, such as seating the host, chief guest, guest of honor, and the invitees, and serving the food and beverages are decided by the host. This should be strictly followed during the function.
Formal functions always include speeches at a specific time which is mostly at the end of the meal just before the service of coffee.
The dress code for the invitees may be insisted upon. Controlled behavior of the guests prevails in the formal function catering.
Functions hosted by the head of the country or state, military, and formal wedding breakfasts are some examples of formal functions.
2. Informal Functions
In an informal function, no formalities and procedures are followed regarding seating, serving, and dress codes. The service is indiscriminate in sex and rank.
These functions normally include entertainment. One can witness the casual behavior of the guests during informal functions. More informal functions are organized in the present day.
For example, Birthday parties, Cocktail parties, Wedding anniversaries, Club member meetings, Alumni meets, etc.
Informal functions can be further grouped into the following types according to their purpose:
3. Social Functions
The purpose of this social function is to meet people, make new friends, entertain oneself, and build relationships.
For example- Cocktail parties, Wedding anniversaries, Birthday parties, Wedding receptions, Dining and Dance parties, etc.
4. Public Relations
These are organized by the business houses in order to make the consumers aware of their presence and establish relationships with them.
Examples- Exhibitions, Contests for homemakers, Fashion parades, Dealer’s meetings, etc.
5. Conferences
The purpose of this type of banquet function is to share knowledge and expertise and to discuss matters of concern.
For Example- Political conferences, Trade union conferences, International and National conferences on important issues, etc.
Following are some other different function types, normally organized by the banquet department of a hotel:
- Workshops.
- Conferences.
- Fashion parades.
- TV shows.
- Wedding receptions.
- Birthday parties.
- Alumni meet.
- Club members meet.
- Seminars.
- Exhibitions.
- Beauty contests.
- Training sessions.
- Wedding anniversaries.
- Graduation days.
- Cocktail parties.
Whatever may be the kind of function, it needs two broad categories of facilities without which the function will be a failure.
The facilities are the following:
- Food and beverages.
- Other amenities include seating, audio, video, stage, lighting, press meets, etc. which vary according to the function types.
All the functions need some basic facilities other than food and beverages. The facilities required should be discussed with the host at the time of booking the function and provided accordingly.
If the facilities required by the host, say an LCD, or a screen, are not available in the hotel, they may be outsourced. Other than the provision of food, beverages, and seating arrangement. The provisions for food and beverages have to be made at the specified time.
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