I tend to work first class the majority of the time - and during a meal service I generally work the meal cart from row four backward to row one... That is, after I have just completed the beverage and tidbit service starting in row one and moving backward -

The exception to this would be if I see on my list of FC pax that my non-revs are grouped in a certain area of FC - then I would start my meal service at the opposite end of the cabin, in order to ensure my revenue pax get their choice of meals and beverages first. I might even take pains to start my meal service where I see the highest grouping of Platinums, if there are enough seated in a certain area of FC.

I would never, however, take meal choice orders in terms of elite status.. I think that is just plainly rude. If you are seated in first class, no matter what the reason, you should be treated as such. If someone came to the person seated next to me and asked them for their meal preference and then ignored me and moved on to another row - I would be mortified.

Subtlety and professionalism being the side I will always err on.