Re: whats the etiquette ?
That is awesome dawat idea I will try it too . I am always looking for ways to wow people at my dawats . This will b a good wow thing. Please provide more details as to how plate and dish setting is done when do u serve what . Is food served in Brazilian BBQ style ? Like U have a salad and condiments bar and then food is served to each invitee one item at a time at their seat in their own plates ?
Re: whats the etiquette ?
Yes Mirch, its served exactly as you mentioned .. the table setting has the guests seated in their places at all times.. the dinner plate and a quarter plate along with their glass and crockery are placed on the table ..
Salads and condiments , Drinks are placed in the center of the table for self serve ..
The host announces the first course , the details of the item being served and goes around the table placing the food items in the plates .. then 5 minutes or three minutes later ( depends on the menu ) the second course is announced and guests informed of the details of the item and then served ..
Every 4 courses later, the guests might be served a Palate cleanser which could be a lemon or ginger based drink or tea .. this is optional .. I never did this coz my menu wasnt too heavy ..
Re: whats the etiquette ?
Am I the only one who thinks collecting all the uneaten food in a collective bowl sounds kinda gross?
Re: whats the etiquette ?
No you are not the only one..!
I wonder why politely refusing the food when it is being served into your plate,isn’t the best thing to do..??..will it be too rude,because I don’t think so…now not everyone has to like or want to eat everything that is being served in a multiple course meal…
Re: whats the etiquette ?
I would love to be invited to a 20 course meal! 
But I would never want to be the host 
And I agree with the others, a polite no thank you should be fine