10 Tips for Providing Excellent Service
There is more to providing a restaurant guest with a quality experience than simply trying hard. It is possible to work very, very hard and still have your patrons leaving feeling as though something was missing.
Here are ten tips that should help anyone in the culinary arts provide a better and substantive dining experience for a guest. As is so common in life, strategy is often more important than just the sweat of your brow.
1. Give a Proper Greeting and Welcome
A failure to properly greet one’s guest is most definitely putting the wrong foot forward. It is difficult to overcome an initially poor first impression. Sometimes, sadly, it is nearly impossible. Keep this in mind when you are working at a restaurant. Even if it is not your job to welcome a patron, if you see someone standing alone for too long, say something. A simple acknowledgement can go a very long way.
2. Provide Fast Initial Service
Once guests have been seated, it is critically important to get someone over to their table as quickly as possible. It can be a very quick hello as menus are delivered, but under no circumstances should guests be seated then forgotten for minutes. This also can create a negative climate where guests feel their patronage is not appreciated.
3. Have a Clean Establishment from the Kitchen to the Dining Room
The level of cleanliness in your restaurant is most definitely a reflection on your entire establishment. If any part of a restaurant is dirty or worse filthy, many patrons will simply not return. Keeping areas such as the bathroom clean is critical. Moreover, try and remember the social responsibility you have to your clients. A dirty kitchen, for example, can have far-reaching ramifications. Odds are that you will be serving food to children, elderly people, or individuals fighting off diseases such as cancer. These people may have compromised immune systems. How would you feel if someone fed your sick seventy-three-year-old mother dirty food?
4. Offer a Relaxing Environment
A relaxing environment can mean repeat business and that can mean you keep your job. Doing all that you can to create a relaxing and peaceful environment is in everyone’s best interest. Yes, there are times that it will not be possible, but do what you can to keep the little things from getting out of control.
5. Be Willing to Accommodate Special Requests
People love to feel special. Accommodating special requests can definitely make them feel that they are appreciated. Sometimes the requests may be unrealistic. However, for simple requests or practical requests regarding dietary restrictions or allergies, try and be accommodating.
6. Deliver Food in a Timely Manner
This point is pretty obvious, but a timely delivery of food shows that a restaurant is working well. Your guests will remember that they received their food quickly and come back again. If a particular dish is going to take a longer time to prepare, you can always consider indicating that fact on the menu.
7. Provide Beautiful Plating and Presentation
Proper plating is yet another way to show that the restaurant takes pride in its work and cares about what it does. Improper plating can take the perceived value of a meal down a notch or two. Remember, people enjoy food with their eyes as well as their taste buds.
8. Preparing Excellent Food Is Obviously Key
Many mistakes can be forgiven if the food is spectacular. Serving a high-quality product is your safety net in case your guests have not had an optimal experience in other areas.
9. Deliver the Bill Promptly Once Requested
If you make individuals wait for the bill, they can become edgy and irritated. This one is more dangerous that it initially seems, as paying the bill is one of the last acts of the restaurant experience.
10. Give a Friendly Greeting and Thank You as Your Guests Exit
A big smile and/or a simple “Thank you” as your guests depart is easy and an absolute must.
