Fine Dining Restaurant SERVICE SEQUENCE I Table Service I F&B Service Knowledge I Waiter do's & dont

Summary

This transcript provides a comprehensive guide to professional restaurant service, detailing the step-by-step process from guest arrival to departure. It covers greeting guests, escorting them to the table, handling belongings, and engaging in light conversation. The guide emphasizes proper etiquette for serving water, beverages, bread, and meals, including the correct sides for service and handling cutlery. It also addresses food presentation, checking guest satisfaction, clearing courses, and offering dessert, digestifs, tea, or coffee. Finally, it outlines the billing process and thanking guests, ensuring a seamless, courteous, and attentive dining experience that adheres to restaurant SOPs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Greet guests warmly upon arrival, confirm reservations, and escort them to their table while engaging in light conversation.
• 😀 Offer to take guests' coats, bags, or belongings before seating them.
• 😀 Assist guests with seating and properly place napkins on their laps.
• 😀 Waiters should introduce themselves and ask for water preferences, serving water from the right side and filling glasses three-quarters full.
• 😀 Present the beverage menu, offer recommendations if guests are unsure, and serve beverages within 5 minutes of taking the order.
• 😀 Serve bread and butter from the left side; the timing of bread service relative to beverages can vary depending on restaurant SOPs.
• 😀 Present the food menu after beverages are served, allowing guests time to review while enjoying their drinks.
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• 😀 Take food orders carefully, noting dietary restrictions, allergies, and special requests, and confirm orders before leaving the table.
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• 😀 Serve courses following proper etiquette: appetizers or salads from the right (pre-plated) or left (platter-to-plate), check guest satisfaction discreetly, and clear plates from the appropriate side.
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• 😀 For main courses, ensure cutlery and crockery are correct, present dishes with a brief description, monitor guest satisfaction, and clear finished items properly.
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• 😀 Offer dessert, digestifs, tea, or coffee after the main course, and present bills discreetly once guests are finished.
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• 😀 Maintain attentive service throughout the meal, including refilling drinks and removing crumbs, and end with a warm thank you and offer assistance as guests leave.

Q & A

What is the first step in greeting a guest at a restaurant?

The first step is for the host or head waiter to greet the guest with a warm smile and politeness. After confirming the reservation, they escort the guest to their table.

How should a host handle a guest's belongings upon arrival?

The host may offer to take the guest's coats, bags, or any other belongings before escorting them to their table.

What is the correct way to serve water to guests?

Water should be served from the right side of the guest, and the glass should be filled about three-quarters full.

What happens after the waiter serves the water?

After serving the water, the waiter presents the beverage menu, which includes wine, cocktails, and aperitifs. Once the guest has reviewed the menu, the waiter returns to take the drink orders.

What is the standard procedure for serving bread and butter?

Bread and butter are served from the left side of the guest, either before or after the drinks are served, depending on the restaurant's standard operating procedures.

How should a waiter handle a guest who is unsure about their drink order?

If a guest is unsure, the waiter should offer recommendations or pairings based on the guest's potential meal choices.

What should the waiter do before taking the food order?

Before taking the food order, the waiter should allow the guest time to review the menu and enjoy their drinks. The waiter should also note any dietary restrictions, allergies, or special requests.

How should the waiter serve the food courses?

Pre-plated foods should be served from the right side of the guest, while platter-to-plate service is done from the left side.

What should the waiter do after serving the main course?

After serving the main course, the waiter should check with the guest to ensure the food is to their liking. They should also clear the plates from the right side once the course is finished.

What is the procedure for dessert service?

After the main course is cleared, the dessert menu is presented, and the guest is allowed time to review it. The waiter then takes the dessert order and serves it, offering options like digestif or tea/coffee afterward.