Silver Service

Exactly what is a Silver Service Waiter?

Known to through the French as "British Service" or service anglais, silver service method has basically become extinct in private houses (except possibly for individuals of great wealth).
Silver service really describes the entire process of serving diners from the "silver" service dish towards the diners plate, as opposed to the more prevalent practise of serving home plate towards the diner.
Thus the silver service waiter or waitress must bring the meals towards the visitors using a platter and should be familar with the right etiquette and technique (see below).

Roots

Silver service waiting has it's roots within the manors, country seats and fine houses from the British middle and upper classes of previous centuries.
It features a sister term of "butler service" which hails from the common practise of giving the waiting staff Sunday nights off - the butler, who most probably wasn't because of the evening off - would serve the diners from the silver platter that they transported for every person. It's possible to easily think the food around the platter will be the re-presented meat etc. from the large Sunday lunch - possibly the visitors remained as rather full?

Silver Service Etiquette

Foods are offered towards the diners from platters transported for them, not by setting up plates of food up for grabs.The guest towards the host's (hostesses) right is offered first.Services are carried out inside a clockwise direction.Meals are always offered in the left and removed in the right.Glasses are offered and removed in the rightGlasses are organized right inside a diagonal fashion using the water glass while watching diner - purchased in sequence for that wines by course.

Is silver service still popular?

It's a convivial practise while not always particularly practical. This being stated - lots of people enjoy a feeling of background and even grandeur that accompany this rare kind of dining as well as in the best setting it may really add style for an event or function.

Where would I have the ability to locate a Silver Service Waiter?

Generally any quality hospitality staffing group or catering service should have the ability to provide you with Silver Service for any dinner - and from time to time some restaurants too. Certain venues that you might decide for an occasion, especially individuals with large private dining rooms should have the ability to offer you properly trained staff.