Which meal service style is characterized by guests selecting their own food from a buffet?

Buffet style meal service is defined by the arrangement where diners select their own food from a variety of dishes laid out on a table or counter. This approach allows guests the flexibility to choose portions and combinations according to their preferences. The buffet setup encourages a social atmosphere, as guests can mingle and serve themselves at their own pace, which also makes it efficient for serving large groups.

Family style, in contrast, involves serving dishes to the table, allowing diners to pass them around and serve themselves from communal servings. A La Carte refers to individual menu items being priced separately, usually served by waitstaff, which does not involve a self-service component. Cafeteria style allows guests to choose from a line of prepared foods as they move through the serving area, but differs from buffet style in that it typically does not offer the same level of selection or the ability for diners to return for seconds without going through the line again. Thus, buffet style is the only service that emphasizes self-selection from a wide array of available foods.