Coffee has long become not just a drink, but a reason for informal communication. Organizers of various seminars, conferences, trainings, as well as corporate meetings and brainstorming sessions took full advantage of this. They proposed breaking up events with short breaks, called coffee breaks. Gradually, certain rules, traditions and style of such breaks were formed. What is a coffee break, what should be the correct organization of a coffee break and what is the traditional menu for it?
What does coffee break mean?
Translated into Russian, coffee break means coffee break. The first attempt to organize such a break was made in the USA in 1936. It was an advertising campaign associated with the appearance of a new product - instant coffee. In Russia, coffee breaks began to be held at the end of the 20th century. Nowadays, not a single long conference or presentation can do without them.
The fact is that after 2-3 hours the brain simply stops absorbing information. Therefore, we need a short break to rest and relax. Coffee, cold snacks and desserts just help to cheer up and gain strength, while in an informal atmosphere it is easy to make useful contacts.
Coffee break: purpose and menu features
In the modern business world, maintaining effective partnerships is impossible without the practice of collective discussion of surveys. Meetings must be organized and conducted according to certain rules. This will allow a meeting of any format to be held with maximum efficiency, benefit for the participants, and according to the agreed time frame. Effective coffee breaks allow you to successfully solve a business problem or find a group solution to a problem thanks to the well-thought-out organization of the meeting. During the break, participants will be able to relax in an informal atmosphere, establish and strengthen business relationships.
Event Rules
There are no strict rules for the coffee break. However, the following recommendations can be made:
- duration – within 20-40 minutes;
- frequency – every 2.5-3 hours;
- Light snacks, cold and hot drinks are required;
- alcohol is possible, but only at the end of the event;
- self-service;
- table setting - the more high-ranking the guests, the more refined it is.
And one more rule: work matters are not discussed during a coffee break. It is customary to talk about abstract topics.
Event etiquette
According to generally accepted rules, a coffee break should be held strictly within a certain time frame, during a meeting or discussion. During a snack, it is unacceptable to discuss work issues, organize debates, or ruin professional topics. But at the same time, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a casual conversation and make new acquaintances. It is considered bad form to start discussing other participants untimely.
Drinks and light snacks should be served using a serving cart or trays. There should be no papers on the table. Those treating themselves must not break the accepted order: cutlery - snacks - drinks. It is better to approach the table again than to take too much food at once. One of the key criteria for a successful coffee break is space, and the basic principle is self-service and the absence of an assigned place.
How to organize a coffee break
The organization of coffee breaks during a seminar or conference should be carried out taking into account four main factors:
- Place. The coffee break should take place in a room close to the conference room. At the same time, it is important that it is convenient to approach the tables. If there is no suitable room, it is possible to organize such a break in the hall, although this is not always convenient, and with a busy meeting schedule, even in the same room where the main event is taking place.
- The menu depends on the guests, from an economy option for simple office clerks to a premium option for executives.
- Equipment and utensils. You will definitely need a cocktail or buffet table, a coffee machine or coffee maker. Plastic plates are considered bad manners in Russia, although foreigners prefer disposable tableware and individually packaged portioned foods for hygiene reasons. Napkins are a must.
- Service. Self-service without waiters and managers is encouraged. This type of event organization allows guests to warm up after sitting for a long time, walk along the table and choose the treats they like.
History of origin
The tradition originates in the town of Stone, Wisconsin at the end of the 19th century. The wives of Norwegian immigrants were the first to arrange such a break. Local residents later founded the Stoughton Coffee Break festival, which has been held annually since 1880. The Pan American Coffee Bureau popularized coffee gatherings to raise awareness of the beans in America. In 1936, after an advertising campaign, Americans began to take coffee breaks during business negotiations. Over time, it began to be arranged in Europe. In Russia, such events spread in the late 1990s.
Is it possible to organize it yourself?
Organizing a coffee break yourself first of all allows you to save money. If the event site has a suitable table and a coffee machine, then all that remains is to order snacks and drinks.
The situation is complicated by the lack of necessary furniture, tablecloths, and dishes. In this case, there is a reason to use the services of a catering company - it is quite possible that due to the “package offer” you will be able to save not only time, but also money. Such a company will be able to organize an on-site coffee break, bring equipment, and set tables.
If you are planning high-ranking guests, it is better to immediately contact a specialized company.
Rules
A coffee break is an invariable attribute of a well-prepared event; it directly indicates the level of its implementation. The experienced team of the “Russian Traditions” chain of cafes and banquet halls in Moscow and St. Petersburg will help you organize a break during a corporate meeting at a professional level, select the optimal menu within the available budget, and present the dishes beautifully. The purpose of organizing a coffee break is to give the event participants the opportunity to relax, discuss the information they heard, and share their impressions. A short break mobilizes the listener’s attention, pushes him to take a fresh look at things and make the right decision.
Buffet and coffee break are similar, but not the same concepts. They differ in their motives and menu specifics. According to the format, participants are not assigned specific seats; they pour their own drinks and eat while standing. The duration depends on the format and duration of the meeting. As a rule, there are 2–4 coffee breaks per event, approximately every 2–3 hours. It is customary to organize it during the daytime, according to the agreed regulations. The menu should include light snacks and sweets - they are convenient to eat. Hearty, high-calorie dishes that are consumed using cutlery are not served. When preparing and compiling the menu, it is important to take into account the religion of the participants, health characteristics, and season. The higher the status of the participants, the more refined the service and the higher the level of food and drinks.
There are several types of coffee breaks:
- philosophical - consists of a seminar, a short break, including food, delicious drinks, discussion of philosophical issues is acceptable;
- buffet cocktail - a break occurs after a training, conference, tea, coffee, light snacks are offered;
- outdoor tea party - it can be held outdoors, but usually a banquet hall with the necessary equipment is chosen.
To prepare large-scale corporate events and negotiations, catering services are in demand, provided by catering restaurants. They include not only preparation and delivery of goodies, but also serving, table decoration, serving guests, and cleaning at the end of the meeting. The difficulty of running a coffee break flawlessly lies in its short duration, limited range of dishes and at the same time the need to satisfy the expectations of the participants.
Coffee break menu
The basis of the menu is tea bags, instant coffee in portioned packages, sugar, cream and lemon. For dessert - cookies, muffins, biscuits. The rest depends on the budget, scale and significance of the event.
Economy menu
This is the simplest and most cost-effective option, which is chosen for ordinary office workers and participants in minor negotiations. The table is served without frills:
- instant coffee, tea, juices;
- canapes;
- candies and cookies.
Traditional
Unlike the economy option, it turns out to be more satisfying and includes:
- bean or capsule coffee, tea bags, water, juices;
- chicken sandwiches, ham canapés, cheese, fruit;
- croissants, sweets.
Premium
The highest quality and gourmet food and drinks are served during coffee breaks for especially important or large business meetings. You need to think through everything down to the smallest detail, since any mistake threatens the businessman with loss of reputation. VIP menu includes:
- the best natural coffee, tea, juices, water in glass bottles, fruit juice, homemade lemonade;
- sandwiches, meat canapés, cheese, fruit;
- pies, mini-cakes, cookies.
Alcohol
Organizing an alcoholic coffee break is possible. However, it is either semi-official, or alcohol is postponed until the final part of the event, when all important information has already been announced. The menu is traditional with the addition of table wines and hot appetizers.
- This is interesting: Is it possible to mix coffee with alcohol?
Menu options
A coffee break is a semi-formal part of the event where guests need to take a breath and recuperate. You won’t find a large assortment or variety on the table here; all products should be extremely simple and suitable for consumption without cutlery. The main ingredient is coffee.
Surprising guests with overseas dishes is good at banquets after the business part, but an away coffee break is simple and modest. The menu is formed based not only on the budget, but also taking into account the age and gender of the guests and their interests.
What's included in the basic menu
The base is a kind of service standard, which should not be forgotten, complementing and enriching the composition of the buffet table.
For the basic coffee break menu, the following are required:
- Beverages. Green and black tea (in individual bags), instant coffee (preferably in portions). In addition, the standard is the presence of additives for coffee and tea: sugar and cream, lemon.
- Dessert and pastries. Chocolate cookies, muffins, and biscuits are ideal as an addition to drinks.
Organization of a coffee break in Moscow
You can order a coffee break in Moscow from one of the catering companies. The price depends on the selected menu and service package.
Catering Tim offers 2 options. For cases where the necessary furniture is available and waiters are not required:
- Economy package, 190 rub. for 1 person – only small snacks without drinks.
- “Light”, 390 rub. for 1 person - snacks, tea, American coffee.
There are also 2 packages, the price of which includes rental of furniture and equipment, table setting with porcelain and glass, room decor, waiter service:
- “Standard”, 590 rub. for 1 person - sandwiches, pies, muffins, mini-croissants, cookies, tea, water, American coffee.
- “Business”, 890 rub. for 1 person - the same plus fruits, juices, premium tea.
The catering company Ministerstvo offers 3 menu options (the cost of a coffee break for 1 person includes costs for logistics, service, and equipment rental):
- 950 rub. for 1 person: mini sandwiches, homemade cakes, water and espresso;
- 1300 rub. for 1 person: the same plus fruits and juices;
- 1600 rub. for 1 person: add mini-croissants with blue cheese and roast beef.
If for guests a coffee break is an opportunity to relax and chat with each other, then the image of the organizing company depends on it. Therefore, it is important to decide not only on the menu, but also to take care of inventory and equipment in advance.
