hi! Could you specify which culture you're referring to, or give an example meal? That would help culinary historians focus their responses. Meanwhile, you can get started on these earlier posts
Why is the main course usually savory, and the dessert sweet? Does this have any historical origin?
When and how did the three course meal become a convention?
Where did the traditional 3 course meals come from? Why don't we just have 1 larger course?