With reference to serving of food in plate/ leaf, is there a specific way or order in which items are to be served?

Answer: Though this is purely a sampradaya matter the Vadakali & Thenkalai sect has their own serving type. In general, for all auspicious functions, fruit and sugar is to be served first for both sects. Thenkalai sampradaya persons serve with dal and vegetables and then lastly rice and ghee. But Vada kalai sampradaya starts with fruit, sugar, rice, ghee, dal and then other items. But for both sects, only druing pithru pooja known as srardham, rice is to be served first followed by payasam, ghee, bakshanam, dal and other items.