From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Cardinal Rules Of Service
By Chef Tim Tibbitts
May 24, 2013 - 11:38:49 AM
My last article was kind of a tongue in cheek piece about
what it takes to be a chef. Today we’ll
take a look at the other side of the restaurant: the service side. At Flying Fish we have a set of rules to live
by; we call them the Cardinal Rules Of Service.
We have them posted in the kitchen and the front of house team is
expected to know them. I’m quite sure
there are quite a few of the rules on this list you will read and say “I hate
when that happens to me!” and we agree with you. That’s why we try our best to live up to the
rules. It makes everyone’s experience
better and makes the restaurant run smoother by default.
1. Acknowledge
guests with eye contact and a smile within 30 seconds. First impressions count!
2. Thank
the guests as they leave. Last impression!
3. Remember the guests' likes and dislikes!
4. Open
the front door for guests.
5. Never set
silverware askew on the tables.
6. Tabletop
picture perfect.
7. No forks
with bent tines.
8. No unevenly
folded napkins.
9. No chipped
glassware.
10. Tables
to be completely set when guests are being seated.
11. All tables leveled.
12. No carelessly
placed items on the tables.
13. No table
linen with small holes, rips or burns.
14. No clutter or
junk. Watch the trays, gueridons [small tables], etc.
15.
Pictures on walls leveled.
16. Tables
properly cleared.
17. No burned-out
light bulbs.
18. No clattering
dishes. Be quiet!
19. No dropping
china, silverware or glassware.
20. No wobbly tables
or chairs.
21. No broken
chairs.
22. You
don’t need to be center of attention. Give the ego a break!
23. No
"I'm doing you a favor" attitudes.
24. No socializing
with certain guests while ignoring others!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
25. Don’t
be
too familiar or excessively chatty.
26. Never have a
visible reaction to the amount of the tip.
27. Don’t
ignore
obvious attempts to get attention.
28. Never
make
light of a guest's complaint.
29. Always
have sense of humor.
30. Make
sure orders arrive to kitchen or bar complete.
31. Acknowledge
guests as soon as they're seated.
32. Provide
service to tables in order of their arrival.
33. Watch
your pacing: don’t allow meal service to be too fast or too slow.
34. Provide
a place for meal debris -- e.g., shells!
35. Necessary
condiments should arrive with food.
36. Make
eye contact.
37. Don’t
talk
to your order pad.
38. Repeat
each item as the guest orders.
39. Name
each item as you serve it.
40. Do not
address the woman as "the lady." (Times are changing!)
41. No
thumbs
on the plate during service.
42. No
stacking
or scraping dishes right in front of guests.
43. Never
approach a table with another table's dirty dishes.
44. Do not
enter
the guests' conversation without invitation.
45. Do not
interrupt or ask questions while a guest's mouth is full.
46. Try not to
handle silverware by the eating surfaces.
47. Do not
hold
glasses by the bowl or rim.
48. Ask
men for their orders after asking women.
49. Have
total focus when at the table.
50. Never
give guests the feeling of being "processed."
51. Really
listen when spoken to.
52. Don’t
be too hurried to be attentive.
53. Establish
a rapport with the guests.
54. Do not
appear
stressed or out of control.
55. Bring whatever
the guest requests.
56. Always
provide consistent service. (Dig down, you can do it.)
57. Remove
extra place settings.
58. Be
able to answer basic menu questions.
59. Know
what brands are carried at the bar.
60. Never
place
a cocktail napkin askew or upside down.
61. Always
warn about hot plates or beverages.
62. “Present”
plates instead of dropping them.
63. Always
reset all the service ware needed for each new menu item.
64. Try
not to serve with an elbow in the guest's face.
65. Refill water or coffee.
66. Move
with the "speed of the room."
67. Check
back within a few minutes of serving the course.
68.
Visually check on each table regularly.
69. Always
clear one course completely before serving the next
70. Remove
plates only once all guests at that table are finished.
71. Do not
clear plates without permission.
72. Don’t
be a vanishing waiter.
73. Continue
to service the table even after you have presented the check.
74. Never
watch while the guest completes the credit card slip.
75. Do not
dribble
wine on the table while pouring.
76. Never
rest the wine bottle on the rim of the glass.
77. Wet,
stained, or incorrectly added checks are not acceptable.
78. Be
aware of poor personal sanitation practices (touching, scratching, etc.).
79. There is no time to
stand around doing nothing.
80. Using
poor grammar when addressing a guest is not allowed.
81.
Rattling pocket change is annoying.
82. Never
walk past items dropped on the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
83. Soiled
or ill-fitting uniforms are unacceptable.
84. Polish
your footwear.
85. Be
careful of slouching or poor posture.
86. No
distracting
accessories.
87. No
obvious
hangovers.
88. No excuses
for anything -- anytime.
89. No personal
conversations loud enough for guests to hear.
90. No whining
or complaining.
91. No arguments
or displayed anger.
92. No flirting
with guests.
93. Always
serve hot food hot.
94. Incomplete
orders are unacceptable.
95. Always
serve properly chilled wine or beer.
96. Drinks
are served with a stirrer or straw.
97. Always
use proper glassware.
98. No dried-out
or slimy fruit garnish.
99. No overly
strong or weak iced tea.
100. Always use a fresh glass with a fresh drink.
101. Always provide proper wine service.
102. Never
pop a champagne cork.
103. Always
serve regular coffee when asked for regular and vice versa for decaf.
104. Get the
order right the first time and ask questions if needed.
105. Serve
the right drink.
106. Serving
wine promptly.
107. No dirty
or spotted flatware.
108. No crumbs
on chairs.
There are lots of details that are behind a great
dining experience. Food is high on that
list, but great, hospitable service is also of utmost importance. If you want
to experience the difference the details make, come and join us anytime, we are
waiting for you!
Tim
Tibbitts is the chef and owner of Flying Fish Modern Seafood in Freeport
Bahamas. Flying Fish is the #1 rated
restaurant in the Bahamas on tripadvisor.com.
You can see what Flying Fish is all about at
www.flyngfishbahamas.com
or
www.facebook.com/flyingfishmodernseafood
and follow Tim on twitter @flyingfishfreep<
My last article was kind of a tongue in cheek piece about
what it takes to be a chef. Today we’ll
take a look at the other side of the restaurant: the service side. At Flying Fish we have a set of rules to live
by; we call them the Cardinal Rules Of Service.
We have them posted in the kitchen and the front of house team is
expected to know them. I’m quite sure
there are quite a few of the rules on this list you will read and say “I hate
when that happens to me!” and we agree with you. That’s why we try our best to live up to the
rules. It makes everyone’s experience
better and makes the restaurant run smoother by default.
1. Acknowledge
guests with eye contact and a smile within 30 seconds. First impressions count!
2. Thank
the guests as they leave. Last impression!
3. Remember the guests' likes and dislikes!
4. Open
the front door for guests.
5. Never set
silverware askew on the tables.
6. Tabletop
picture perfect.
7. No forks
with bent tines.
8. No unevenly
folded napkins.
9. No chipped
glassware.
10. Tables
to be completely set when guests are being seated.
11. All tables leveled.
12. No carelessly
placed items on the tables.
13. No table
linen with small holes, rips or burns.
14. No clutter or
junk. Watch the trays, gueridons [small tables], etc.
15.
Pictures on walls leveled.
16. Tables
properly cleared.
17. No burned-out
light bulbs.
18. No clattering
dishes. Be quiet!
19. No dropping
china, silverware or glassware.
20. No wobbly tables
or chairs.
21. No broken
chairs.
22. You
don’t need to be center of attention. Give the ego a break!
23. No
"I'm doing you a favor" attitudes.
24. No socializing
with certain guests while ignoring others!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
25. Don’t
be
too familiar or excessively chatty.
26. Never have a
visible reaction to the amount of the tip.
27. Don’t
ignore
obvious attempts to get attention.
28. Never
make
light of a guest's complaint.
29. Always
have sense of humor.
30. Make
sure orders arrive to kitchen or bar complete.
31. Acknowledge
guests as soon as they're seated.
32. Provide
service to tables in order of their arrival.
33. Watch
your pacing: don’t allow meal service to be too fast or too slow.
34. Provide
a place for meal debris -- e.g., shells!
35. Necessary
condiments should arrive with food.
36. Make
eye contact.
37. Don’t
talk
to your order pad.
38. Repeat
each item as the guest orders.
39. Name
each item as you serve it.
40. Do not
address the woman as "the lady." (Times are changing!)
41. No
thumbs
on the plate during service.
42. No
stacking
or scraping dishes right in front of guests.
43. Never
approach a table with another table's dirty dishes.
44. Do not
enter
the guests' conversation without invitation.
45. Do not
interrupt or ask questions while a guest's mouth is full.
46. Try not to
handle silverware by the eating surfaces.
47. Do not
hold
glasses by the bowl or rim.
48. Ask
men for their orders after asking women.
49. Have
total focus when at the table.
50. Never
give guests the feeling of being "processed."
51. Really
listen when spoken to.
52. Don’t
be too hurried to be attentive.
53. Establish
a rapport with the guests.
54. Do not
appear
stressed or out of control.
55. Bring whatever
the guest requests.
56. Always
provide consistent service. (Dig down, you can do it.)
57. Remove
extra place settings.
58. Be
able to answer basic menu questions.
59. Know
what brands are carried at the bar.
60. Never
place
a cocktail napkin askew or upside down.
61. Always
warn about hot plates or beverages.
62. “Present”
plates instead of dropping them.
63. Always
reset all the service ware needed for each new menu item.
64. Try
not to serve with an elbow in the guest's face.
65. Refill water or coffee.
66. Move
with the "speed of the room."
67. Check
back within a few minutes of serving the course.
68.
Visually check on each table regularly.
69. Always
clear one course completely before serving the next
70. Remove
plates only once all guests at that table are finished.
71. Do not
clear plates without permission.
72. Don’t
be a vanishing waiter.
73. Continue
to service the table even after you have presented the check.
74. Never
watch while the guest completes the credit card slip.
75. Do not
dribble
wine on the table while pouring.
76. Never
rest the wine bottle on the rim of the glass.
77. Wet,
stained, or incorrectly added checks are not acceptable.
78. Be
aware of poor personal sanitation practices (touching, scratching, etc.).
79. There is no time to
stand around doing nothing.
80. Using
poor grammar when addressing a guest is not allowed.
81.
Rattling pocket change is annoying.
82. Never
walk past items dropped on the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
83. Soiled
or ill-fitting uniforms are unacceptable.
84. Polish
your footwear.
85. Be
careful of slouching or poor posture.
86. No
distracting
accessories.
87. No
obvious
hangovers.
88. No excuses
for anything -- anytime.
89. No personal
conversations loud enough for guests to hear.
90. No whining
or complaining.
91. No arguments
or displayed anger.
92. No flirting
with guests.
93. Always
serve hot food hot.
94. Incomplete
orders are unacceptable.
95. Always
serve properly chilled wine or beer.
96. Drinks
are served with a stirrer or straw.
97. Always
use proper glassware.
98. No dried-out
or slimy fruit garnish.
99. No overly
strong or weak iced tea.
100. Always use a fresh glass with a fresh drink.
101. Always provide proper wine service.
102. Never
pop a champagne cork.
103. Always
serve regular coffee when asked for regular and vice versa for decaf.
104. Get the
order right the first time and ask questions if needed.
105. Serve
the right drink.
106. Serving
wine promptly.
107. No dirty
or spotted flatware.
108. No crumbs
on chairs.
There are lots of details that are behind a great
dining experience. Food is high on that
list, but great, hospitable service is also of utmost importance. If you want
to experience the difference the details make, come and join us anytime, we are
waiting for you!
Tim
Tibbitts is the chef and owner of Flying Fish Modern Seafood in Freeport
Bahamas. Flying Fish is the #1 rated
restaurant in the Bahamas on tripadvisor.com.
You can see what Flying Fish is all about at
www.flyngfishbahamas.com
or
www.facebook.com/flyingfishmodernseafood
and follow Tim on twitter @flyingfishfreep
My last article was kind of a tongue in cheek piece about
what it takes to be a chef. Today we’ll
take a look at the other side of the restaurant: the service side. At Flying Fish we have a set of rules to live
by; we call them the Cardinal Rules Of Service.
We have them posted in the kitchen and the front of house team is
expected to know them. I’m quite sure
there are quite a few of the rules on this list you will read and say “I hate
when that happens to me!” and we agree with you. That’s why we try our best to live up to the
rules. It makes everyone’s experience
better and makes the restaurant run smoother by default.
1. Acknowledge
guests with eye contact and a smile within 30 seconds. First impressions count!
2. Thank
the guests as they leave. Last impression!
3. Remember the guests' likes and dislikes!
4. Open
the front door for guests.
5. Never set
silverware askew on the tables.
6. Tabletop
picture perfect.
7. No forks
with bent tines.
8. No unevenly
folded napkins.
9. No chipped
glassware.
10. Tables
to be completely set when guests are being seated.
11. All tables leveled.
12. No carelessly
placed items on the tables.
13. No table
linen with small holes, rips or burns.
14. No clutter or
junk. Watch the trays, gueridons [small tables], etc.
15.
Pictures on walls leveled.
16. Tables
properly cleared.
17. No burned-out
light bulbs.
18. No clattering
dishes. Be quiet!
19. No dropping
china, silverware or glassware.
20. No wobbly tables
or chairs.
21. No broken
chairs.
22. You
don’t need to be center of attention. Give the ego a break!
23. No
"I'm doing you a favor" attitudes.
24. No socializing
with certain guests while ignoring others!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
25. Don’t
be
too familiar or excessively chatty.
26. Never have a
visible reaction to the amount of the tip.
27. Don’t
ignore
obvious attempts to get attention.
28. Never
make
light of a guest's complaint.
29. Always
have sense of humor.
30. Make
sure orders arrive to kitchen or bar complete.
31. Acknowledge
guests as soon as they're seated.
32. Provide
service to tables in order of their arrival.
33. Watch
your pacing: don’t allow meal service to be too fast or too slow.
34. Provide
a place for meal debris -- e.g., shells!
35. Necessary
condiments should arrive with food.
36. Make
eye contact.
37. Don’t
talk
to your order pad.
38. Repeat
each item as the guest orders.
39. Name
each item as you serve it.
40. Do not
address the woman as "the lady." (Times are changing!)
41. No
thumbs
on the plate during service.
42. No
stacking
or scraping dishes right in front of guests.
43. Never
approach a table with another table's dirty dishes.
44. Do not
enter
the guests' conversation without invitation.
45. Do not
interrupt or ask questions while a guest's mouth is full.
46. Try not to
handle silverware by the eating surfaces.
47. Do not
hold
glasses by the bowl or rim.
48. Ask
men for their orders after asking women.
49. Have
total focus when at the table.
50. Never
give guests the feeling of being "processed."
51. Really
listen when spoken to.
52. Don’t
be too hurried to be attentive.
53. Establish
a rapport with the guests.
54. Do not
appear
stressed or out of control.
55. Bring whatever
the guest requests.
56. Always
provide consistent service. (Dig down, you can do it.)
57. Remove
extra place settings.
58. Be
able to answer basic menu questions.
59. Know
what brands are carried at the bar.
60. Never
place
a cocktail napkin askew or upside down.
61. Always
warn about hot plates or beverages.
62. “Present”
plates instead of dropping them.
63. Always
reset all the service ware needed for each new menu item.
64. Try
not to serve with an elbow in the guest's face.
65. Refill water or coffee.
66. Move
with the "speed of the room."
67. Check
back within a few minutes of serving the course.
68.
Visually check on each table regularly.
69. Always
clear one course completely before serving the next
70. Remove
plates only once all guests at that table are finished.
71. Do not
clear plates without permission.
72. Don’t
be a vanishing waiter.
73. Continue
to service the table even after you have presented the check.
74. Never
watch while the guest completes the credit card slip.
75. Do not
dribble
wine on the table while pouring.
76. Never
rest the wine bottle on the rim of the glass.
77. Wet,
stained, or incorrectly added checks are not acceptable.
78. Be
aware of poor personal sanitation practices (touching, scratching, etc.).
79. There is no time to
stand around doing nothing.
80. Using
poor grammar when addressing a guest is not allowed.
81.
Rattling pocket change is annoying.
82. Never
walk past items dropped on the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
83. Soiled
or ill-fitting uniforms are unacceptable.
84. Polish
your footwear.
85. Be
careful of slouching or poor posture.
86. No
distracting
accessories.
87. No
obvious
hangovers.
88. No excuses
for anything -- anytime.
89. No personal
conversations loud enough for guests to hear.
90. No whining
or complaining.
91. No arguments
or displayed anger.
92. No flirting
with guests.
93. Always
serve hot food hot.
94. Incomplete
orders are unacceptable.
95. Always
serve properly chilled wine or beer.
96. Drinks
are served with a stirrer or straw.
97. Always
use proper glassware.
98. No dried-out
or slimy fruit garnish.
99. No overly
strong or weak iced tea.
100. Always use a fresh glass with a fresh drink.
101. Always provide proper wine service.
102. Never
pop a champagne cork.
103. Always
serve regular coffee when asked for regular and vice versa for decaf.
104. Get the
order right the first time and ask questions if needed.
105. Serve
the right drink.
106. Serving
wine promptly.
107. No dirty
or spotted flatware.
108. No crumbs
on chairs.
There are lots of details that are behind a great
dining experience. Food is high on that
list, but great, hospitable service is also of utmost importance. If you want
to experience the difference the details make, come and join us anytime, we are
waiting for you!
Tim
Tibbitts is the chef and owner of Flying Fish Modern Seafood in Freeport
Bahamas. Flying Fish is the #1 rated
restaurant in the Bahamas on tripadvisor.com.
You can see what Flying Fish is all about at
www.flyingfishbahamas.com
or
www.facebook.com/flyingfishmodernseafood
My last article was kind of a tongue in cheek piece about
what it takes to be a chef. Today we’ll
take a look at the other side of the restaurant: the service side. At Flying Fish we have a set of rules to live
by; we call them the Cardinal Rules Of Service.
We have them posted in the kitchen and the front of house team is
expected to know them. I’m quite sure
there are quite a few of the rules on this list you will read and say “I hate
when that happens to me!” and we agree with you. That’s why we try our best to live up to the
rules. It makes everyone’s experience
better and makes the restaurant run smoother by default.
1. Acknowledge
guests with eye contact and a smile within 30 seconds. First impressions count!
2. Thank
the guests as they leave. Last impression!
3. Remember the guests' likes and dislikes!
4. Open
the front door for guests.
5. Never set
silverware askew on the tables.
6. Tabletop
picture perfect.
7. No forks
with bent tines.
8. No unevenly
folded napkins.
9. No chipped
glassware.
10. Tables
to be completely set when guests are being seated.
11. All tables leveled.
12. No carelessly
placed items on the tables.
13. No table
linen with small holes, rips or burns.
14. No clutter or
junk. Watch the trays, gueridons [small tables], etc.
15.
Pictures on walls leveled.
16. Tables
properly cleared.
17. No burned-out
light bulbs.
18. No clattering
dishes. Be quiet!
19. No dropping
china, silverware or glassware.
20. No wobbly tables
or chairs.
21. No broken
chairs.
22. You
don’t need to be center of attention. Give the ego a break!
23. No
"I'm doing you a favor" attitudes.
24. No socializing
with certain guests while ignoring others!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
25. Don’t
be
too familiar or excessively chatty.
26. Never have a
visible reaction to the amount of the tip.
27. Don’t
ignore
obvious attempts to get attention.
28. Never
make
light of a guest's complaint.
29. Always
have sense of humor.
30. Make
sure orders arrive to kitchen or bar complete.
31. Acknowledge
guests as soon as they're seated.
32. Provide
service to tables in order of their arrival.
33. Watch
your pacing: don’t allow meal service to be too fast or too slow.
34. Provide
a place for meal debris -- e.g., shells!
35. Necessary
condiments should arrive with food.
36. Make
eye contact.
37. Don’t
talk
to your order pad.
38. Repeat
each item as the guest orders.
39. Name
each item as you serve it.
40. Do not
address the woman as "the lady." (Times are changing!)
41. No
thumbs
on the plate during service.
42. No
stacking
or scraping dishes right in front of guests.
43. Never
approach a table with another table's dirty dishes.
44. Do not
enter
the guests' conversation without invitation.
45. Do not
interrupt or ask questions while a guest's mouth is full.
46. Try not to
handle silverware by the eating surfaces.
47. Do not
hold
glasses by the bowl or rim.
48. Ask
men for their orders after asking women.
49. Have
total focus when at the table.
50. Never
give guests the feeling of being "processed."
51. Really
listen when spoken to.
52. Don’t
be too hurried to be attentive.
53. Establish
a rapport with the guests.
54. Do not
appear
stressed or out of control.
55. Bring whatever
the guest requests.
56. Always
provide consistent service. (Dig down, you can do it.)
57. Remove
extra place settings.
58. Be
able to answer basic menu questions.
59. Know
what brands are carried at the bar.
60. Never
place
a cocktail napkin askew or upside down.
61. Always
warn about hot plates or beverages.
62. “Present”
plates instead of dropping them.
63. Always
reset all the service ware needed for each new menu item.
64. Try
not to serve with an elbow in the guest's face.
65. Refill water or coffee.
66. Move
with the "speed of the room."
67. Check
back within a few minutes of serving the course.
68.
Visually check on each table regularly.
69. Always
clear one course completely before serving the next
70. Remove
plates only once all guests at that table are finished.
71. Do not
clear plates without permission.
72. Don’t
be a vanishing waiter.
73. Continue
to service the table even after you have presented the check.
74. Never
watch while the guest completes the credit card slip.
75. Do not
dribble
wine on the table while pouring.
76. Never
rest the wine bottle on the rim of the glass.
77. Wet,
stained, or incorrectly added checks are not acceptable.
78. Be
aware of poor personal sanitation practices (touching, scratching, etc.).
79. There is no time to
stand around doing nothing.
80. Using
poor grammar when addressing a guest is not allowed.
81.
Rattling pocket change is annoying.
82. Never
walk past items dropped on the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
83. Soiled
or ill-fitting uniforms are unacceptable.
84. Polish
your footwear.
85. Be
careful of slouching or poor posture.
86. No
distracting
accessories.
87. No
obvious
hangovers.
88. No excuses
for anything -- anytime.
89. No personal
conversations loud enough for guests to hear.
90. No whining
or complaining.
91. No arguments
or displayed anger.
92. No flirting
with guests.
93. Always
serve hot food hot.
94. Incomplete
orders are unacceptable.
95. Always
serve properly chilled wine or beer.
96. Drinks
are served with a stirrer or straw.
97. Always
use proper glassware.
98. No dried-out
or slimy fruit garnish.
99. No overly
strong or weak iced tea.
100. Always use a fresh glass with a fresh drink.
101. Always provide proper wine service.
102. Never
pop a champagne cork.
103. Always
serve regular coffee when asked for regular and vice versa for decaf.
104. Get the
order right the first time and ask questions if needed.
105. Serve
the right drink.
106. Serving
wine promptly.
107. No dirty
or spotted flatware.
108. No crumbs
on chairs.
There are lots of details that are behind a great
dining experience. Food is high on that
list, but great, hospitable service is also of utmost importance. If you want
to experience the difference the details make, come and join us anytime, we are
waiting for you!
Tim
Tibbitts is the chef and owner of Flying Fish Modern Seafood in Freeport
Bahamas. Flying Fish is the #1 rated
restaurant in the Bahamas on tripadvisor.com.
You can see what Flying Fish is all about at
www.flyingfishbahamas.com
or
www.facebook.com/flyingfishmodernseafood
and follow Tim on twitter @flyingfishfreep
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