Master Reference
Course & Category Breakdown
A complete classification of every course type, ordered the way a full meal is actually served—from the first pour to the last cordial.
Beverages & Pre-Dinner
- Apéritifs & Cocktails
Pre-dinner drinks, craft cocktails, and sparkling wines designed to stimulate the palate.
- Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Mocktails, juices, and specialty refreshing beverages.
- Smoothies
Blended fruit and vegetable drinks.
Starters & Hors d’Oeuvres
- Amuse-Bouche
A single, bite-sized chef’s compliment to preview the meal.
- Hors d’Oeuvres & Canapés
Bite-sized finger foods, canapés, and savory appetizers served before sitting down.
- Antipasto & Buffet Froid
Cold platters featuring cured meats, marinated vegetables, and cold spreads.
- Finger Foods
Casual handheld starters.
Soups, Chowders & Stews
- Soups
Warm or chilled liquid starters.
- Chowders & Bisques
Rich, thick dairy- or seafood-based blended soups.
- Broths & Consommés
Clear, highly clarified, and intensely flavored broths.
- Stews & Chilis
Thick, hearty, slow-cooked meat and vegetable or bean preparations.
Salads
- Green & Tossed Salads
Crisp leaf lettuces with light dressings.
- Bean & Grain Salads
Protein- or fiber-rich salads featuring quinoa, lentils, or beans.
- Fruit Salads
Fresh cut seasonal fruit combinations.
- Pasta & Potato Salads
Starch-based cold side salads tossed in dressings.
Main Courses & Entrées
- Beef Dishes
Steaks, roasts, and beef-based mains.
- Chicken & Poultry Dishes
Prepared chicken, turkey, and fowl mains.
- Fish & Seafood Dishes
Finfish, shellfish, oysters, and clams.
- Lamb & Pork Dishes
Chops, tenderloins, and cured meat mains.
- Game Dishes
Venison, duck, and wild game preparations.
- Rôtis (Roasts)
Dedicated whole-roasted meats and poultry.
- Pasta & Noodle Entrées
Hearty Italian or global noodle-based main plates.
- Vegetarian & Plant-Based Mains
Meatless and vegan primary dishes.
- Oeuf
Egg-centric dishes such as soufflés or egg-based mains.
Side Dishes
- Vegetables
Standalone or integrated cooked vegetable elements.
- Mashed & Roasted Potatoes
Starchy potato preparations.
- Grain & Rice Sides
Pilafs, rice, and whole grains.
- Casseroles & Bakes
Baked, layered comfort dishes like macaroni and cheese or green bean bake.
- Stuffing & Dressing
Seasoned bread or grain mixtures.
- Fruit Sides
Compotes or fruit accompaniments.
Accompaniments
- Gravies
Savory meat juices and thickened pan drippings served over mains or starches.
- Dips, Sauces & Condiments
Hot sauces, table dressings, and finishing sauces.
- BBQ Rubs & Marinades
Pre-cooking flavorings and dry spices.
- Herbs, Spices & Seasonings
Botanical seasonings used throughout cooking.
- Relishes & Chutneys
Pungent, sweet-and-sour fruit or vegetable accompaniments.
Breads & Baking
- Sourdough & Artisan Loaves
Fermented and rustic crusty breads.
- Biscuits & Rolls
Flaky, soft dinner rolls and southern-style biscuits.
- Flatbreads & Tortillas
Naan, pita, tortillas, and unleavened breads.
- Quick Breads
Cornbread, banana bread, and chemical-leavened loaves.
- Sweet & Enriched Breads
Brioche, challah, and butter-rich yeast breads.
- Yeast & Sandwich Breads
Standard sliced sandwich loaves and everyday yeast breads.
Palate Cleansers
- Frozen Desserts
Rich dairy- or custard-based frozen treats including ice creams, gelatos, and parfaits.
- Sorbets & Ices
Smooth, churned, dairy-free frozen purees, fruit ices, and granitas.
- Intermezzos
Light acidic interludes between heavy courses.
- Sparkling Tonics
Effervescent herbal or citrus palate-resetting drinks.
Cheese Course
- Cheese Dips & Spreads
Warm or cold cheese-based dips and cheese spreads.
- Cheese Balls & Logs
Rolled cheese appetizers coated in nuts, herbs, or spices.
- Baked Brie & Warm Cheese Appetizers
Warm, oven-baked specialty cheeses served with crusty bread or preserves.
Desserts & Sweets
- Cakes & Cupcakes
Layered cakes, celebration cakes, and frosted cupcakes.
- Pies, Tarts & Cobblers
Baked fruit pastries, crust pies, and crumbles.
- Cookies & Bars
Baked handheld sweets, brownies, and blondies.
- Entremets
Multi-layered French mousse cakes and elegant composed frozen or refrigerated gâteaux.
- Pâtisserie
Fine pastries, éclairs, tarts, and delicate baked goods.
- Mignardises
Miniature bite-sized confections served at the absolute end of the meal.
- Petit Fours
Small iced, decorated sponge cakes or bite-sized pastries.
Post-Dinner Beverages & Digestifs
- Coffee & Tea
Espresso, drip coffee, and hot tea service.
- Digestifs & Liqueurs
High-proof after-dinner spirits and cordials intended to aid digestion.