Eating out is becoming more popular in today’s society, and as the range of restaurants increase, so do the tastes of our palettes. The decisions of what and where to eat tonight are the thoughts that get many through the labours of Friday afternoon at the office. Different restaurants require differently skilled chefs, so it is important that any catering recruiter knows the finer points of the nation’s most popular restaurants.

Here is a list of some of the most popular types of restaurant, and what a night in their hospitable care might entail, in the way of catering and ambience.

Italian – Greeted by smartly dressed waiters, you will usually be shown to a candlelit checked cloth table in a smart Italian restaurant. There is always a choice of pizza or pasta in such eateries, but a true Italian meal would be served as following:

• Anti pasta or starters- light bites or nibbles to start your meal, such as soups, salads, olives and breads.

• Pasta dish – Traditionally a pasta dish is served before the main course.

• Main Course – Meat (particularly veal) or fish accompanied with vegetables.

• Dessert – The final course may be gelato or some kind of Italian dessert such as tiramisu, panattone or panna cotta.

Italian food is always accompanied by fine wine and, to finish, famous Italian short coffee such as espresso or macchiato followed by aniseed like Sambucca or appropriately citrus-named Lemoncello.

Chinese – Chinese Yum Cha or Dim Sum is the traditional way a Chinese meal should be served. Diners choose from a range of dishes that are paraded to their table, from the noodles and rice dishes to which we are accustomed, to more unusual fare such as chicken’s feet. Traditionally served with tea such as Jasmine or Green, Chinese meals are now more commonly served with wine (usually not the Chinese rice variety). Desserts are assorted and can be anything from moon cakes, jellies and fruits to soups and candies. To finish the banquet a fortune cookie holds destiny in its crunchy shell.

Indian – British Indian cuisine has for too long been deemed an informal affair, sometimes unnecessarily. The ubiquitous Korma, Tandoori, Massala or Vindaloo served with India’s finest pint of Kingfisher has been a suffix in most people’s Friday night’s since the 1970’s when curry first became popular in the UK. Indian cuisine has become more upmarket in recent years, and aside from British Indian food, the western world is becoming more acquainted with traditional Indian dishes such as Masala Dosa, Thali and Paneer (Indian Cheese). Kulfi, which is a type of Indian ice cream, and Gulab Jamun (cream cheese donuts) are popular desserts.

Vegetarian – Vegetarian food has become increasingly more popular in today’s health-conscious society. Vegetarian restaurants of all descriptions are appearing in most high streets. Once thought as a bland diet of lentils, chickpeas and plain vegetables. Herbs, spices and influences from other foreign cuisine, spice up and infuse the flavour of vegetarian dishes, making it a popular choice with those who are trying to lose weight, or restrict meat in their diet.