Which type of service involves dishes being passed around rather than served at the table?

The type of service that involves dishes being passed around rather than served at the table is family style. In family style service, large platters or bowls of food are placed on the table, and diners serve themselves by passing the dishes around. This encourages a communal atmosphere and allows guests to select their portions according to their preferences. It fosters interaction among diners as they share dishes directly, creating a more informal dining experience.

In contrast, American service tends to involve individual plated meals served directly to guests, and French service typically features dishes that are prepared or finished at the table but are plated in a more formal manner. Buffet service allows guests to serve themselves from a variety of foods laid out on a table but does not involve passing dishes around the table like in family style. Each of these styles highlights different dining experiences, but the key characteristic of family style is the sharing aspect inherent in passing dishes among guests.