1. The Menu
A menu is a plan of the products to be served for a meal.

2. The Classical Menu
Today’s menus are descendants of elaborate menus served in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
These menus had 12 or more courses in various orders.
Typical of one served at a great banquet:
Cold hors d’oeuvre
Soup
Hot hors d’oeuvre
Fish
Main course
Hot entrée
Cold entrée
Sorbet
Roast
Vegetable
Sweet
Dessert

3. Modern Menus
The modern menu is based on the pattern of the classical menu.
The main dish is the centerpiece of the modern meal.
If a meal consists of only one dish, even if it is a salad or a bowl of soup, it is still considered the main course.

4. The Modern Menu First courses Main dish Dessert dishes Appetizer
Soup (fish)
Salad
Meat, poultry or fish
Vegetable accompaniment
Fruits and cheeses
Sweets

5. Variations on a Theme Appetizer Main dish Soup Main Dish Soup Salad
Main Dish Main Dish
Soup
Salad
Main Dish
Appetizer Appetizer
Salad Main Dish