Did you know that 75% of diners consider the quality of service as important as the taste of the food itself? In the highly competitive hospitality industry, mastering the art of the sequence of service is key to creating memorable dining experiences that keep customers coming back for more.
Whether you’re a seasoned waiter looking to refine your skills or an aspiring professional eager to enter the world of fine dining, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the essential steps and techniques to deliver exceptional service at every stage. Get ready to take your hospitality game to new heights as we unravel the secrets of a flawless sequence of service at The Waiter’s Academy.
Here are all the steps you need to follow to perform the sequence of service for fine dining perfectly:
1. Acknowledge the guests upon arrival with eye contact and a smile..
2. Greet the guests with a smile and a friendly positive attitude (Audio) (Video)
within 2 minutes after seating. Use the name of the restaurant and your name:
“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to Grand Lux Café, my name is Ned and I will be taking care of you today……
3. Make sure you are shaved (for male waiters), with a proper haircut, and a clean uniform
4. Suggest cocktails and take a drink order (Audio) (Video)
6. Present the menus and the special of the day (Audio) (Video)
5. Presenting the wine list (Audio) (Video)
7. Serve the drink within 4 to 6 minutes of the order! (Audio) (Video)If not ready check with the bartender! Advise the guests that the drinks are coming right away
8. Take the food order (Audio) (Video), repeat the order for clarity (Video), and ask about the wine (Audio) (Video)
9. If needed, make a suggestion about the wine and repeat the wine order for clarity.
10. Send the food order to the kitchen with proper seat positions for every meal!
11. Bring bread and butter to the table
12. Maintain visual contact with the guests at all time
13. Present and serve the wine (Audio) (Video)
14. Prepare the proper silverware for the guest’s order (Audio) (Video)
15. Assure the appetizers are served within 6 to 8 minutes of the order. (Audio) (Video) If not check with the kitchen. Advise the guests
16. Ask for a refill of drinks upon arrival of the appetizers or refill glasses periodically if the guests have ordered a bottle of wine (Audio) (Video)
17. Within 2 minutes or two bites (whichever is first) ask the guests if their meals are well prepared and tasty. (Audio) (Video) Take immediate action if a guest is not happy with his/her meal! Advise managers! (This is probably the most important step in the whole sequence of service!)
18. Wait for all the guests to be finished with their meals before cleaning the plates. (Audio) (Video)
19. Call the main course and assure all the guests have proper and clean silverware in front of them
20. Remove the bread, the butter, and the butter plates from the table if the guests are not going to use any more bread with their main course.
21. Assure that the main course is served on time! 18 to 25 minutes (for well-done steaks). If not check with the kitchen. Advise the guests.
22. Ask for a refill of drinks after serving the main course.
23. Wish the guests’ gut appetite and stay attentive in case they need something.
24. Within 2 minutes or 2 bites (whichever is first) acquire if everything is well prepared and testy with their meal. Take appropriate action if a guest is not happy with his/her meal. Advise a manager
25. Wait for all the guests to be finished with their meal before removing the plates!
26. Remove all the silverware and condiments from the table
27. Suggest dessert and coffee (Audio) (Video) and prepare the proper silverware for the order. (Audio) Bring sugar if coffee is ordered.
28. Assure the tea or the coffee is served promptly. Check with the bartender if not.
29. Assure the dessert is served within 6 minutes of the order. (Video) Check with the kitchen if not. Advise the guests.
30. Ask the guests if everything is well prepared and tasty for 2 minutes or 2 bites after delivering the desserts.
31. Remove empty coffee cups immediately from the table
32. Wait for all the guests to be finished with dessert before removing the plates
33. Remove everything from the table
34. Suggest digestive (Audio) (Video) and ask if the guests have some other wishes.
35. Bring the check immediately if they don’t have any other wishes (Audio) (Video)
36. Take care of the payment immediately (Audio)
37. Thank the guests for their visit and welcome them back with a smile and friendliness (Audio) (Video)
38. Prepare the table for the next party immediately after the departure of the guests
39. Repeat 😊
Dear friends, learning and most importantly performing the steps of service for waiters will change your overall experience in the restaurant! You will avoid mistakes, reduce stress, and increase your income! Trust me on that!
Respectfully,
Ned
P.S.
I see that a lot of people are searching for this topic using terms such as F&B service training, Steps of service fine dining, or Steps of Service Waiter. Any way you call it this is the Sequence of Service in fine dining that you have to follow to ensure a great experience for your guests! Use it as your fine dining service training manual and you will succeed in any fine dining restaurant in the world. To learn more check the LQA standards post.
The sequence of Service in Casual Dining
Serice Sequence by the LQA Standard.
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