Mary Louise Starkey

Standards identified: Is there a separate catering kitchen? Is the family high profile? Are high profile guests attending the household functions? What is the household entertaining protocol? Do they set a formal table? What is their entertaining style and frequency? How many persons does their dining room table seat? Who and when do they hire a caterer or chef, and does this person develop the menus and recognize family and guest favorites and allergies? Is there a current inventory for the wine cellar? What are the family favorites for holidays? Which holidays are observed with a family dinner? Is table service plated or Russian? Who typically runs the table? Who develops the Ballet of Service™ for each kind of event? Is there a silver, china and linens inventory? Are members of the staff trained to provide table service?