HOW TO TAKE A FOOD ORDER

Guest expect that the food order is taken in a timely manner by friendly smiling staff and that the promotions or special of the day / restaurant are explained clearly and friendly.

Why is this task important for you and our guests?

Answers: 

1. To maximize guests satisfaction.

2. To ensure the orders are taken in a timely manner

3. To ensure daily specials are sold by the end of the day

STEPS	HOW/ STANDARDS	TRAINING QUESTIONS
1) Observe the guest if is ready for ordering.	Keep a close eye on the guest for any signs of them ready to order. Don’t stand too far away of the table in clear view of the guests. When the guest has closed the menu and/or takes a sip of the drink or look around that is usually the signal of being ready to order.	Why should you keep a clear eye on the guests? Why shouldn’t you stand too far away from the table? What should you do when the guest is looking around for attention?
2) Approach the table to take order.	Approach the guest table and stand in a position that have eye-contact and communication and say,    Mr./Mrs./Ms./Sir/Madam XXXX, may I take your order now or would you like a few more minutes? Look at the guest with a friendly smile, stand upright and lean the body forward a little bit. Listen carefully to the guest and write down the items on your note pad. Items must be listed on the note pad by seat number.  Repeat the order to guest after written in on your order pad.  Speak to the guest slowly, clearly and politely.	Why should you have eye contact? Why should you be friendly and smile? Why should you list carefully? Why should you write the order down? Why should you write the seat number on your note pad as well? Why should you repeat the order? Why should you speak slowly and clearly?
3) Suggestive selling.	During the order taking process, suggest to consider additional dishes/courses; an entrée, a soup in between entrée and main or a desserts without being too aggressive.  In addition, suggest the guest to consider the daily specials, promotional items.	Why should you suggest additional choices or dishes? Why shouldn’t you be too aggressive in up selling? Why should you suggest daily specials?
4）Add the order	Add the order into the computer system for bill recording and the order to print out in the required kitchen.	Why should the order be put into the computer system?
5）Set the table	Change the table setting with the required utensils based on the dish.	Why should you set the table?

Now ask the trainee to practice the task from start to end to test competency.

Summary questions:

1. Why should you keep a clear eye on the guests?

2. Why shouldn’t you stand too far away from the table?

3. What should you do when the guest is looking around for attention?

4. Why should you have eye contact?

5. Why should you be friendly and smile?

6. Why should you list carefully?

7. Why should you write the order down?

8. Why should you write the seat number on your note pad as well?

9. Why should you repeat the order?

10. Why should you speak slowly and clearly?

11. Why should you suggest additional choices or dishes?

12. Why shouldn’t you be too aggressive in up selling?

13. Why should you suggest daily specials?

14. Why should the order be put into the computer system?

15. Why should you set the table?