serve for

serve (something) for (something or some reason)

1. To provide a certain type of food for a particular meal or course in a meal. We're serving chicken for dinner. Should we serve soup or salad for the first course of the meal?
2. To provide a certain type of food or drink for a particular purpose. We served champagne for a toast to the newlyweds at the end of the meal. We'll be serving some finger foods for the meet-and-greet later on.
See also: serve
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

serve something for something

to distribute something to eat or drink for a particular purpose. We served smoked salmon for an appetizer. What will you serve for a main course?
See also: serve
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • serve (something) for (something or some reason)
  • make a meal (out) of (something)
  • make a meal of
  • make a meal of something
  • make a meal of/out of something
  • table talk
  • square meal
  • square meal, a
  • a square meal
  • eat out
References in classic literature
To say the truth, I believe many a hearty curse hath been devoted on the head of that author who first instituted the method of prefixing to his play that portion of matter which is called the prologue; and which at first was part of the piece itself, but of latter years hath had usually so little connexion with the drama before which it stands, that the prologue to one play might as well serve for any other.
The deep drive serve is the go-to serve for most three-wallers for several reasons.
The all-volunteer military is looking for lifers, not those who might want to serve for shorter tours of duty.
Serve for about 3 inches down the string, then clip off the three tag ends.