A serving trolley, or guéridon, is a visual symbol of restaurant service quality—an elegant, functional and mobile assistant for waitstaff, enabling tableside service at the highest level. From classic food carving and portioning trolleys to cheese ritual trolleys and dessert displays—each serving trolley is tailored to the beauty of a specific service moment. BHS offers serving trolleys to HoReCa businesses across Europe.
Types of serving trolleys
Classic guéridon—a multifunctional serving trolley with one or two shelf levels, used for portioning food, carving meat or final preparation of complex dishes at the table. Dessert trolley—an open trolley or one equipped with glass display cases, allowing customers to view and select desserts from the displayed collection. Cheese trolley—a specialised trolley for cheese service with a wooden or marble surface, drawers for accessories and cheese-and-wine combinations. Aperitif trolley—a compact trolley for serving cocktails, drinks and appetisers at the table or in event areas. Heat-retaining trolley—with a heated compartment for serving hot dishes, maintaining temperature from the kitchen to the table. BHS helps you choose the right type of serving trolley.
Use in restaurants and hotels
In fine dining restaurants, a guéridon allows for classic service—carving or portioning food at the customer’s table, drizzling with sauce or flambéing desserts. In a premium restaurant, a cheese trolley with a selection of cheeses at the table is both a gastronomic and visual delight. In hotel restaurants, an aperitif trolley during events and banquets ensures mobile drink service without the need to return to the bar counter each time. At banquets and in event halls, multiple serving trolleys enable efficient service for a large number of guests simultaneously.
Materials and durability
Stainless steel serving trolleys are hygienic, durable and easy to clean, meeting the strictest HACCP standards. Wooden-surface serving trolleys offer a warmer and more elegant appearance, suitable for premium restaurants and hotels with a traditional or rustic concept. Combined-material trolleys—stainless steel frame with a wooden or granite surface—combine durability and aesthetics. All HoReCa serving trolleys must have wheels that are quiet, roll smoothly and can be locked in place. BHS offers high-quality serving trolleys.
HACCP requirements for serving
Serving food from a trolley in close proximity to the customer requires careful hygiene control. The serving trolley must be clean and disinfected before each use, as it comes into contact with food outside the closed kitchen environment. Hot dishes on a serving trolley must be kept above +65°C, while cold products must be kept below +8°C. Tools used during serving must be clean and stored hygienically. Serving trolleys must be cleaned regularly, with special attention paid to the wheels and the underside of the frame. BHS helps you choose HACCP compliant serving trolley systems.
HoReCa usage scenarios
In a high-end restaurant, a flambé guéridon at the customer’s table allows the chef to perform a Crêpes Suzette or foie gras flamme ritual—this is a gastronomic show that encourages positive feedback. In a hotel restaurant, a cheese trolley with an 8–12 cheese selection at each table after the main course is a premium experience element. At a large-scale banquet in a hotel, 4–6 aperitif trolleys with drinks ensure that every guest is served efficiently, without creating queues at the central bar.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size of a serving trolley? A typical guéridon is 60–70 cm wide, 40–50 cm deep and 85–95 cm high. Dessert trolleys are usually wider—70–90 cm. It is important that the trolley fits easily between tables—at least 80 cm should be left for the aisle in working position. BHS helps you choose the right size based on the restaurant’s layout.
Does a serving trolley require special cleaning? After each use, the trolley must be cleaned. Stainless steel trolleys should be cleaned with a neutral detergent and a soft cloth. The wheel mechanism should be lubricated regularly. BHS provides advice on the cleaning requirements for specific models.
Why choose BHS?
BHS – Baltic HoReCa Solutions supplies professional equipment for restaurants, cafés, hotels and canteens: more than 20,000 products from many manufacturers. Our specialists help you choose the right equipment and spare parts for your kitchen or bar.
Delivery
We deliver across the European Union. Delivery time and cost depend on the order volume and destination — contact the BHS team for an exact price and lead time.
