Which type of service typically involves food being prepared at a buffet station?

Buffet service is characterized by a specific setup where a variety of dishes are arranged on a table or serving station, allowing guests to serve themselves. This type of service typically involves food being prepared ahead of time and made available for diners to take at their own pace. The guests go to the buffet station, select their desired items, and serve themselves, which promotes a more informal dining atmosphere and often allows for a wider variety of food options compared to other service types.

In contrast, table service generally involves a server who takes orders and delivers food directly to the guests at their tables. Family-style service includes serving large platters of food that are shared among guests at the table, inviting a communal dining experience without the self-service aspect. Cafeteria service also incorporates a self-service model, but it typically has a line where food is served in a linear fashion by staff behind the counter, which is distinct from the more open layout of a buffet. Thus, buffet service distinctly fits the description of food being prepared at a station for self-service.