F & B Service Department
F & B Service Department
BANQUETE MANAGER
BAR MANAGER RESTAURANT MANAGER
BARTENDER WAITER/SS
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BAB 1. Food and Beverage Services - Basics
Food and beverage services sector contributes a great deal to the profits in hospitality
industry. With the increase in importance of business meetings, a range of personal
and social events, a large number of customers visit catering establishments
frequently. The food and beverage professionals tirelessly work to intensify
customers’ experience through their service.
The F&B Services providing businesses deliver food and beverages to their
customers at a particular location (on-premise) such as hotel, restaurant, or at the
customer’s intended premises (off-premise).
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What is Catering?
Catering is the business of providing foods and beverage service to the people at a
remote location. It is a part of food and beverage service sector. For example,
arranging food services at a wedding location.
What is QSR?
These are the fast food outlets called Quick Service Restaurants where the food is
prepared, purchased, and generally consumed quickly. They are run with
convenience as a main factor. Branded outlets such as McDonalds and Nando’s are
QSRs.
What is FSR?
They are fine dining, family, specialty, ethnic, or theme restaurants called Full-
Service Restaurants where the food and beverage menu is wide and the customer’s
expectations are high. They are operated with customer satisfaction and experience
as the key factors.
The upper half depicts food preparation related functions, whereas the lower half
depicts food and beverage service to customers.
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Food and Beverage Service Objectives
The food and beverage service is looked as a means of achieving satisfaction and
making yourself feel comfortable in today’s world. The main objectives of this service
are −
• To satisfy the following needs −
o Physiological − The need to taste different varieties of food.
o Economical − The need to get F&B Services at the invested cost.
o Social − The need to find friendly atmosphere.
o Psychological − The need to elevate self-esteem.
• To provide high quality food and beverages.
• To provide friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
• To provide professional, hygienic, and attentive service.
• To impart value for money.
• To retain the existing customers and to bring in new ones.
1 Back bar
A range of shelves displaying glassware and bottles.
2 Banquet
A sit-down meal served on the occasion of a formal or informal event such as a
wedding party or a conference.
3 Binge Drinking
Drinking too much in a single session.
4 Buffet
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A dining system where the guests serve themselves. Popular with a large number
of guests and a small number of workforces.
5 Cocktail
Any mixed drink prepared using alcohol.
6 Condiments
Spices, sauce or other food preparations used to enhance the flavor or to
complement the dish.
7 Crockery
Plates, dishes, cups, and other similar items, especially ones made of glass,
earthenware, or china clay.
8 Cross-Contamination
It is a process of unintentional transfer microorganisms from one substance or object
to another, with harmful effect.
9 Croutons
Crispy cubes of bread
10 Cutlery
Knives, forks, and spoons used for eating or serving food.
11 Deli
A store that sells pre-cooked fine food.
12 Dram Shop
American term for ‘Alcohol Bar’.
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Gueridon Trolley
A trolley used in F&B Services business on which the food can be cooked, finished,
or presented to the guest at the table.
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Alcoholic beverage mixed with a large volume of soft drink and served in a tall glass
with straw.
15 Mocktail
A non-alcoholic drink prepared using fruit juices or other soft drinks.
16 Pathogen
It is a biological agent that causes disease to its host.
17 Platter
A large flat dish or plate for serving food.
18 Pub
British name for ‘Public House’, an establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks.
20 Situ
On site, locally.
21 Spot Checking
Regular surprise checking conducted to review standardized recipes and food
products to maintain quality.
22 Station
A set of tables allocated to waiters in the F&B Services establishment.
23 Table Cover
It is the area on the table for plates, glasses, and cutlery for single person.
24 Tines
Parallel or branching spikes of a fork.
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25 Toque
Cooks cap with multiple folds represents the many different ways a chef knows to
prepare a dish.
• Restaurant
• Lounge
• Coffee Shop
• Room Service
• Poolside Barbecue/Grill Service
• Banquet Service
• Bar
• Outside Catering Service
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• Ensuring profit margins are achieved in each financial period from each
department of F&B service.
• Planning menus for various service areas in liaison with kitchen.
• Purchasing material and equipment for F&B Services department.
The Assistant Food & Beverage Service Manager is aware of and is tuned to all the
work the F&B Services Manager performs and carries out the same in the absence
of his superior.
Restaurant Manager
The Restaurant Manager looks after the overall functioning of a restaurant. The
responsibility of this staff member includes −
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Room Service Manager
Banquet Manager
Bar Manager
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Food Safety Supervisor (FSS)
A Food Safety Supervisor is a person who is trained to recognize and prevent risks
associated with food handling in an F&B Services business. He holds an FSS
certificate that needs to be no more than five years old. He is required in an F&B
Services business so that he can train and supervise other staff about safe practices
of handling food.
Kitchen Stewarding
Dishwashing
The Dishwashing department is responsible for providing clean and dry supply of
glassware, chinaware, and cutlery for bar, banquet, lounge, and restaurant service.
Laundry
Knowledge
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Appearance
It creates the first impression on the guests. The F&B staff members must maintain
personal hygiene, cleanliness, and professional appearance while being on duty.
Attentiveness
Body Language
The F&B Services staff needs to conduct themselves with very positive, energetic,
and friendly gestures.
Effective Communication
It is very vital when it comes to talking with co-workers and guests. Clear and correct
manner of communication using right language and tone can make the service
workflow smooth. It can bring truly enhanced experience to the guests.
Punctuality
The F&B Services staff needs to know the value of time while serving the guests.
Sincere time-keeping and sense of urgency helps to keep the service workflow
smooth.
These two core values in any well-brought-up person are important for serving the
guests in hospitality sector.
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Table Service
In this type of service, the guests enter the dining area and take seats. The waiter
offers them water and menu card. The guests then place their order to the waiter.
The table is covered in this service. It is grouped into the following types.
Here, the host contributes actively in the service. The waiter brings food on platters,
shows to the host for approval, and then places the platters on the tables. The host
either makes food portions and serves the guests or allows the waiter to serve. To
replenish the guests’ plates, the waiter takes the platters around to serve or to let the
guests help themselves. This is a common family service in specialty restaurants
where customers spend more time on premise.
The food is served on guest's plate in the kitchen itself in predetermined portion. The
accompaniments served with the food, the color, and the presentation are determined
in the kitchen. The food plates are then brought to the guest. This service is commonly
used in a coffee shop where service is required to be fast.
French Service
It is very personalized and private service. The food is taken in platters and
casseroles and kept on the table of guests near their plates. The guests then help
themselves. It is expensive and elaborate service commonly used in fine dining
restaurants. This service has two variants −
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• Cart French Service − The food is prepared and assembled at tableside. The
guests select food from the cart while sitting at their tables and are later served
from the right. It is offered for small groups of VIPs.
• Banquet French Service − The food is prepared in the kitchen. The servers
serve food on each individual’s plate from guest’s left side. For replenishment,
the servers keep the food platters in front of the guests.
Gueridon Service
In this service, partially cooked food from the kitchen is taken to the Gueridon Trolly
for cooking it completely. This partial cooking is done beside the guest table for
achieving a particular appearance and aroma of food, and for exhibiting
showmanship. It also offers a complete view of food. The waiter needs to perform the
role of cook partially and needs to be dexterous.
Silver Service
In this service, the food is presented on silver platters and casseroles. The table is
set with sterling silverware. The food is portioned into silver platters in the kitchen
itself. The platters are placed on the sideboard with burners or hot plates. At the time
of serving, the waiter picks the platter from hot plate and presents it to the host for
approval and serves each guest using a service spoon and fork.
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Russian Service
It is identical to the Cart French service barring the servers place the food on the
platters and serve it from the left side.
Assisted Service
Here, the guests enter the dining area, collect their plates, and go to buffet counters
and help themselves. The guests may partially get service at the table or replenish
their own plates themselves.
Buffet Service
It this type of service, the guests get plates from the stack and goes to buffet counter
where food is kept in large casseroles and platters with burners. The guests can serve
themselves or can request the server behind the buffet table to serve. In sit-down
buffet restaurants, the tables are arranged with crockery and cutlery where guests
can sit and eat, and then replenish their plates.
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Self Service
In this type of service, the guests enter the dining area and select food items. They
pay for coupons of respective food items. They go to food counter and give the
coupons to avail the chosen food. The guests are required to take their own plates to
the table and eat.
Cafeteria Service
This service exists in industrial canteens, hostels, and cafeterias. The menu and the
space is limited; the cutlery is handed over to the guests. The tables are not covered.
Sometimes high chairs are provided to eat food at narrow tables. It is a quick service.
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Single Point Service
In this type of service, the guest orders, pays for his order and gets served all at a
single point. There may be may not be any dining area or seats. The following are
the different methods of Single Point Service.
Food Court
This is an array of autonomous counters at which the customers can order, eat, or
buy from a number of different counters and eat in adjacent eating area.
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Kiosks
The customer enters the choice and amount of money physically and the machine
dispenses what customer demanded accurately.
Take Away
Customer orders and avails food and beverage from a single counter and consumes
it off the premises.
Vending
The customer can get food or beverage service by means of automatic machines.
The vending machines are installed in industrial canteens, shopping centers, and
airports.
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Special Service
It is called special service because it provides food and beverage at the places which
are not meant for food & beverage service. The following are the different methods
of special service.
In this type of service, various vegetables and meats are displayed for better view
and choice. The counter is decorated with great aesthetics, and the guest can select
meat or vegetable of choice. The guest then takes a seat and is served cooked food
with accompaniments.
Tray Service
Trolley/Gueridon Service
Food is cooked, finished or presented to the guest at a table, from a moveable trolley.
For example, food served on trollies for office workers or in aircrafts and trains.
Home Delivery
Food delivered to a customer’s home or place of work. For example, home delivery
of pizza or Meals on Wheels.
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Lounge Service
Room Service
Here food is served to guests in their allotted rooms in hotels. Small orders are served
in trays. Major meals are taken to the room on trolleys. The guest places his order
with the room service order taker.
The waiter receives the order and transmits the same to the kitchen. Meanwhile, he
prepares his tray or trolley. He then goes to the cashier to prepare and take the bill.
He then takes the bill along with the food order for the guests’ signature or payment.
Usually clearance of soiled dishes from the room is done after half an hour or an hour.
However, the guest can telephone Room Service for the clearance as and when he
has finished with the meal.
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Short dining Attached to
menu with less educational Self or assisted, pre-
Cafeterias food options. institutes or plated, low priced
Follows cyclic industrial service.
meal plan. organizations
Strobe lights,
laser lights,
Menu with dance floor, Entry permission for
Discotheque/Nightclubs snacks and lively music, couples or members on
beverages. informal and charge, assisted service.
energetic
atmosphere.
Elaborate menu
of single or
Modestly
multiple cuisines
Family/ Casual Dining furnished, Assisted, mid-priced
which may
Restaurants Casual service.
change
atmosphere.
according to the
operating hours.
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Speedy service with
minimum personal
Multi-cuisine
attention. The customers
food outlets are
pick up food and
Multi cuisine located around
Food Courts beverages of their choice
menu. modestly kept
from multiple outlets
central dining
around and sit in the
area.
central dining area to
consume.
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of food and attached to the beverages to consume
beverages. pantry. them off-premise.
Architecture,
lighting, and
Limited menu music induce the
American/Assisted
Themed Restaurant that is based on feel of the
service.
the theme. theme. Mostly
informal
ambience.
Kitchen
Store
It has large fridges, cupboards with multiple shelves, and lockers. It is attached to the
kitchen.
Pantry
It is being the area where food or beverage is prepared ready to serve, it is located
between the dining area and the kitchen.
Restrooms
There are two different schools of thought for location of restrooms − some experts
consider that the restrooms must be near the entrance and some think that it should
be isolated from entrance or dining area.
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General Considerations for F&B Services Layout
While designing an F&B outlet, one needs to consider every factor that contributes to
the smooth running of operations right from food preparation, cooking, dish
presentation, serving, and all allied tasks.
While designing commercial F&B outlets, the following points are important −
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The purchasing department works with accounts department to keep the information
on allocated budget and balance budget.
The following factors influence purchasing −
Purchasing Product
The purchaser is responsible for purchasing a product. He studies the market, and
analyses and selects suppliers, wholesalers, and the contemporary market prices.
He then liaisons with suppliers and wholesalers to get good material at fair price and
purchases the required commodities by following appropriate purchase procedures.
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Receiving the Product
The receiver receives the products from the suppliers. He checks the product for right
quality and quantity. He deals with the delivery personnel from the supplier’s end and
signs on the related receipts.
The store men carry out the task of storing received supply and issuing it to respective
departments. They update the stock database, and manage old and new material in
the stock. They also keep record of stock to the latest date.
This includes preparation of various food items and fresh beverages. The cooks
prepare various foods and the bar tenders prepare cold beverages such as mocktails
and cocktails. They also make the dish most presentable by arranging food on platter
and decorating it in an attractive manner. The beverages are also decorated by using
fruit slices, decorating the glasses, sippers, and stirrers.
This part is played by the guests. At the service end, the respective staff takes
inventory of the consumed and balanced stock of food and beverages and keeps it
updated to latest figures.
Any food and beverage service business has a great responsibility of serving
hygienic, safe, clean, and fresh food. The customers also rightfully question if the
food or beverage they consume at the F&B Services outlet is healthy, safe, and fresh.
For ensuring food safety, a system named Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
(HACCP) in Europe works to identify Critical Control Points (CCP) for the presence
of physical, chemical, and bacterial hazards to food. HACCP has set guidelines and
principles on producing healthy and safe food. It also enables food and beverage
businesses to adhere to consistent safety and quality of food production.
In India, Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSA) works towards setting
standards for safe and hygienic food. In USA, Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) is responsible for the safety of meat, poultry, and processed egg products.
Also, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for virtually all other
foods.
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Managing Buffets, Banquets, and Catered Events
Before planning and executing buffets, banquets, or catered events, the respective
managers and supervisors need to consider the following factors −
Type of Event
The participants such as decorating staff, planning staff such as managers, serving
staff, supervising staff, whole sellers, and the guests.
Event Requirements
It is important to know the date and time of event, the number of expected guests,
dance floor, audio or projector systems, or any special requirement demanded by the
guests before planning the event.
Decors
Menu
According to the time of event, it can include starters, salads, breads, main courses
(meats, poultry, or sea food), desserts (fruits, pastries, or frozen desserts),
beverages, accompaniments, and garnishes according to the establishment
standards. It must be hygienic, in-line with the occasion, and meeting the F&B
Services establishment standards.
Serving Equipment
Depending upon the requirement of guests and serving style, it can include
silverware, platters, table linens, and other required serving equipment. It also
includes size and shape of tables and chairs.
Serving Norms
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storing food and managing beverage consumption after service, cleaning buffet or
banquet area, restoring plates, cutlery, Gurion trollies, and glassware after
completion of service.
The managers study current and future market trends and forecast expenses.
Budgets are prepared based on managers’ inputs.
The managers also keep a keen eye on present situation in which F&B Services is
functioning. They need to consider fixed costs such as rents and property taxes,
and variable costs such as material, advertisement, and music and entertainment
costs.
They come up with the difference and find out the reasons and apply the required
policies.
The Quality Analysis needs to consider the following factors while providing the food
product or service. Some of these factors are −
• Evaluating ongoing product analysis checklist that includes doneness, aroma
and taste of the ready dish, garnish, color, appearance, presentation, serving
portion, and alike.
• Evaluating the food or beverage product for safety against consumption.
• Evaluating weekly review of product deviation that includes date, product
name, problem, solutions, and recommendation.
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F&B Services Decision Making
It includes coming up with corrective actions in case of certain unpleasant results.
The managers make decisions after going through the following steps −
• Identifying problems
• Identifying reason
• Determining a number of solutions
• Selecting a best solution
• Applying the solution
• Evaluating the solution
For example, the response for chilled cucumber soup is declining for the past four
months.
• Identify problems − Menu problem? Taste issue? Price issue? Serving
quantity or quality issue?
• Identify reason − Soup is outstanding on quality, portion of service, and taste
marks. But it is Winter and guests are preferring hot soups than the chilled
ones though it is on the lunch menu.
• Solutions − Can a hot variant of the same soup be developed? Can the soup
be replaced by a preferred alternative?
• Best solution − Shift chilled cucumber soup to summer-time menus and bring
in a new hot soup or a variant of one of the present soups that will potentially
rule the guests’ taste buds.
What is Menu?
It is a detailed list of food and beverage offerings with their respective prices. It is
prepared by a food and beverage service businesses to keep the customers informed
about the availability of various F&B items.
A good menu must −
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• Meet or outstrip guests’ expectations.
• Meet the quality standards of the business.
• Be truthful in describing the taste and preparations.
• Be strictly going with the production and service facilities of the business.
• What kind of food outlet is it? (Vintage, Contemporary, Modern, Theme, Bar,
and more)
• What is the name of the outlet?
• What is the expanse of food items, their accompaniments, and beverages the
owner wishes to keep?
• Which information needs elaboration for food and beverages?
• What tone of language is required? (formal/informal)
• What types of names and category headings would best suit for the food and
beverage items?
• What design, images, colors, and typeface would look best for the menu?
• Are the graphic details relevant to the food outlet theme?
• How large should the menu be on paper?
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Depending upon the expanse of physical outlet and service, and the variety of food
and beverages it offers, the menu design and details change.
Menu Planning
This is the selection of menu in advance for an upcoming event. Menu planning plays
an important role in customer satisfaction.
Menu planning is beneficial in the following areas −
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Indian food is eaten using one’s clean fingers because that way, the flatbreads are
easy to portion. The spoons and forks are used for having snacks, curries, stews,
rice, curds, or sweets when the need arises. Authentic Indian food is generally served
in copper or brass bowls and plates or you can have it on fresh banana leaves
or Patravali (Plates made of dried leaves), which help to save efforts of cleaning and
disposing.
A few popular Indian foods are −
• Poha (beaten rice soaked and cooked by adding chopped vegetables and
cilantro)
• Aloo Bonda (Boiled, mashed, and flavoured potatoes enwrapped with lentil
flour and deep fried)
• Kadhai Panner (Savoury cubes of cottage cheese in thick tangy curry or
gravy)
• Veg Kolhapuri (Wholesome vegetables cooked in spicy red gravy)
• Rajma (Black beans cooked in spicy gravy)
• Biryani (Aromatic and flavoured rice dish cooked with vegetables or meat)
• Sarson-da-saag (Mustard leaves cooked with chili, garlic, and mustard oil)
• Jalebi (Coils of flour batter deep fried and dipped in sugar syrup)
• Gulab Jamun (Deep fried balls of milk powder and flour soaked into sugar
syrup)
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using red and white meats. Recipes have evolved with seafood, fruits, cheeses,
vegetables, pastries, and chocolates using authentic sauces and dressings.
Italian food boasts of classically prepared pizza bases baked with savoury toppings
of vegetables, meat, and cheese. It also includes a wide range of pastas of various
shapes and sizes cooked and served with authentic Italian accompaniments and
sauces.
The local customs of baking and cooking provide a large array of soups, salads,
snacks, meals, and desserts from Italian cuisine. The food is often accompanied with
beverages such as wine, champagnes, or other similar drinks.
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The following are some popular dishes in Italian cuisine −
• Bellini (a cocktail made with white peach puree and sparkling wine.)
• Caprese Salad
• Cacciuco (Seafood stew)
• Risotto Alla Milanese (Saffron Rice)
• Arancini Veneziani (Venetian Rice Fritters)
• Braciola (Italian Beef Rolls in Tomato Sauce)
• Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna (Baked sheets of flour separated by stew
and cheese)
Chinese food is prepared with crunchy or leafy vegetables, bean sprouts, a variety of
mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu (soybean curds), and spices such as chilies,
ginger, Chinese celery, and garlic. The food is consumed using traditional chopsticks
and spoons. The table setting displays porcelain bowls and spoons for soup, a large
bowl for food kept on the flat plate underneath, Rice bowl, and a pair of chopsticks
with resting stand.
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The following are some traditional Chinese dishes −
• Gong Bao Chicken (Diced chicken cooked with dried chili and fried peanuts).
• Ma Po Tofu (Tofu cubes cooked with pepper powder, ground beef, and green
onions).
• Wontons (Triangles of flour added in soup).
• Dumplings (Small dough disks filled with minced meat or spicy chopped
vegetables, closed, and steamed).
• Spring Rolls (fried cylindrical rolls that enwrap minced meat or vegetables).
• Chow Mein (Cooked and stir-fried vegetables in savoury sauce).
Chinese food includes a cup of tea as beverage. No aerated drinks are served as
part of authentic Chinese meal. Desserts are not commonly consumed in Chinese
cuisine except on special occasions. The meal is generally completed with fruits.
As per the traditional customs, the soups are enjoyed along with rice and noodles;
not before. The rice or noodles are topped with the toppings of choice and consumed
with spoon. Some popular Thai dishes are –
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• Tom Yam Goong (Jumbo prawns in savoury hot and spicy sauce)
• Pad Thai (Noodles with tofu, sprouts, fried onion, chili sauce, and finely
powdered peanuts)
• Kuay Tiew (Noodles served in vegetables and meat broth)
• Gai Med Ma Moung (Chicken in soy sauce, garlic, honey, and cashew nuts)
• Kao Phad (Fried rice)
• Massaman Curry (Meat and potato cooked in cinnamon flavoured curry)
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• Empanadas (Baked or fried stuffed bread or pastry)
Corn, black beans, native fruits and vegetables, herbs, and meats are integral
ingredients of Mexican food. A few popular Mexican dishes are −
• Chicken-mango-jalapeno salad
• Mango-pineapple salsa
• Prawn fajita with avocado cream
• Mexican chicken stew
• Grilled chicken nacho
Starter
In this course, a welcoming appetizer that induces hunger is given to the guests. Also,
the guests can prefer soups accompanied with the bite-size savory snacks as side
orders in this course.
Main Course
During this course, main dishes with vegetables or meats accompanied with rice and
breads are served. In some cultures, such as Indian, the main dish is accompanied
with salads.
Dessert
This course signals the end of meal and is usually had with a cup of coffee.
Salads form an important part of diet in France. A typical French meal has an addition
of Salad Course. It is often accompanied by other courses such as Fish Course and
Cheese Course. There are cultures where people prefer to take one dish meal with
no elaborate and distinguished courses of food.
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Table D’hôtel Me
Table D’hôtel is a menu where the meal is combined with a number of food options
from each course. The guests can make their choice and order for a fixed price.
Irrespective of what the guest chooses or declines, the price remains the same.
Hence, it may also be called prix fixe or fixed price menu. Banquet menus,
children’s menus, and occasion menus cater to special occasions and are offered at
a set price.
A la carte Menu
Static Menu
In this menu, the typical types of meals are served yearlong with an occasional
change on some special days.
Cyclic Menu
Cycle menu includes different meals offered on different days of a week. The
cafeterias at educational institutes and otherwise use this menu which they can
repeat after a week or a month. Serving a feast on Sunday, offering special variants
of chicken on Fridays can add to the cyclic menu.
Let us now look at a few other menus which boost your platter and the F & B Services.
Dessert Menu
This menu displays puddings, cakes, tarts, ice creams, smoothies, fondues, sundaes,
sweet pies, and ice creams and frozen yogurts along with their respective prices.
Frozen Desserts − They are usually popular with people from all ages and walks of
life. They are always served chilled. The following are some mouth-watering frozen
desserts are −
Ice Cream/Gelato (Italian for ice-cream) − They are primarily same with just a little
difference in composition of milk, custard, water, and eggs. In India, frozen desserts
are prepared with thick full cream milk and fruit pulp or crushed nuts and saffron. It is
popularly known as ‘Kulfi’. Kulfi is served on stick or in terracotta pot called ‘Matka’.
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Sorbet − It is a frozen dessert made of fruit juices, dessert wines, and ice shaves. It
is flavoured by a variety of edible food colours and essences. In contrast to ice cream,
frozen dessert appears icier than milky.
Frozen Yogurt − It is made by freezing flavoured yogurt. It also contains less fat,
sugar, and thus less calories as compared to ice creams.
Beverage Menu
This menu includes variants of tea and coffee, hot chocolate, juices, milkshakes,
mocktails, and so on. The wine menu includes wines, beers, liquors, types of water,
cocktails, and spirits with their respective serving quantities and prices.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
There are two types of non-alcoholic beverages.
Hot Beverages
These are served hot. Hot beverages typically include tea, masala tea (spiced tea),
milk, hot chocolate, and variants of coffee such as expresso, latte, and cappuccino.
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Cold Beverages
These are served and consumed while chilled. Cold beverages include juices,
mocktails, coolers, cold versions of tea and coffee, milkshakes, carbonated drinks,
mocktails, and sherbets. The following beverages are famous in countries like India
−
• Buttermilk with a dash of powdered cumin seeds and salt.
• Aam Panna, a sweet and sour raw mango juice with a dash of cardamom in it.
• Tender coconut water locally called Nariyal-Pani.
• Sol Kadhi, thin coconut milk flavoured with Kokum and ginger-garlic-chili
paste.
There are a few cold beverages which come as cocktails and are prepared using
alcohol.
Alcoholic Beverages
These are served cold. Alcoholic beverages are intoxicating and contain ethanol,
commonly known as alcohol. Such beverages need to undergo fermentation and
distillation to generate alcohol contents. The percentage of alcohol varies in the range
of 0.5% to 95% depending upon the methods of fermentation and distillation.
• Wine, Cider, Perry, and Champaign are fermented alcohols.
• Beer, ale, and lager are fermented and brewed alcohols.
• Gin, Vodka, Whisky, Rum, Brandy, and Tequila are distilled alcohols.
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If a beverage contains at least 20% Alcohol by Volume (ABV), it is
called spirit. Liquors are similar to spirits. The only difference is that liquors come
with added sweetness and flavoring. Liquors and spirits, both are strong alcoholic
beverages. The following are a few most popular alcoholic beverages −
Alcohol by
Beverage Process/ Raw Material Origin Volume
(ABV in %)
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Wines are obtained from fruits such as France/ South
grapes, peaches, plums, apricots, Africa/India
Wines 5 - 20
pomegranate. The fruits are crushed and
fermented in large containers.
Due to the unwanted side effects of alcohol on consumer and the society, it is the
responsibility of food and beverage service staff to verify the young customer’s age
before serving alcoholic beverages.
Indoor Furniture
Outdoor Furniture
It needs to be sturdy as well as attractive. It includes coffee tables and chairs, bar
chairs, dining sets, day beds, loungers, hammocks, and swings.
A fixture is any item bolted to the floor or walls. For example, air conditioners, electric
plugs, sinks and toilets, art pieces, and television screens mounted on wall are
fixtures.
A fitting is any free-standing item or an item that can be hung by a nail or hook. For
example, paintings, mirrors, curtain rails, and lamps are fittings.
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Tableware in F&B Services
Tableware consists of crockery, cutlery, glassware and linen used while serving and
eating meals at a table. These are circulating equipment which can be grouped into
the following types −
Chinaware
This is a collection of fine dishes, bowls, food platters, section dishes, ramekins, cups
and saucers, soup spoons, vases, and ash trays made using a translucent ceramic
material.
Hollowware
This consists of containers such as serving bowls, pots, kettles, ice jugs, and water.
These containers are either made from glass or metals such as copper, brass, or
stainless steel.
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Glassware
This consists of articles made of fine glass. Glassware includes jugs, pitchers,
drinkware, ash trays, vases, and similar articles.
Silverware
The objects in silverware are made of Electro Plated Nickel Silver (EPNS). These are
made from an alloy of brass, zinc, stainless steel or nickel with silver plating of 10 to
15 microns. Silverware includes spoons, forks, knives, hollowware, drinkware, tongs,
ice bucket, and a salver.
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Chaffing Dishes (Chafers)
These are food warming dishes. They keep the food warm for an adequate time and
temperature. They come in two variants: electric or chafer fuel candle.
Chaffing dishes are available in multiple sizes, shapes, and lids. Modern-day chafing
dishes are made of light metal or ceramic with handles, sometimes covered with a
see-through lid. Here are some chaffing dishes −
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• Ice Cream Spoon − It is a small spoon with flat rim that can help to cut the
right amount of ice cream. It can come in small, medium, and large sizes
according to the quantity of the ice cream served and the size of the bowl.
• Cocktail (Soda) Spoon − It is a drink spoon with a long handle that helps the
spoon to reach the bottom of a tall glass.
• Butter knife − It has short rectangular blade that is sharp on the lower side to
form an edge. It is useful in cutting semi-firm pieces of butter and apply them
on food items such as breads.
• Salad Spoon − It is always used in pair with salad fork. It helps mixing and
serving salad efficiently.
• Serving Spoon − It is a spoon with large round cup designed to serve stews
and rice.
• Deli (Fruit) Fork − has two tines. It helps to pick thinly sliced food such as
slices of fruits.
• Roast Fork − It is the largest fork. It has longer and stronger tines that help to
hold and pick large meat or vegetable pieces.
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• Cake Knife − It is a flat, elongated triangle-shaped knife and is used to cut
pieces of cake and handle it smoothly.
Types of Glasses
The glasses and tumblers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They are either
footed with stem or non-footed. They can also be high-ball or low-ball. Some of the
widely used shapes are −
• Cooler − It is used to serve welcome drinks or appetizers.
• Flute − It is a glass with a long cup and is mainly used to serve champagne.
• Goblet − It is a round glass with or without stem. The goblets with stem are
used to serve wines and brandy. A non-footed version is used to serve whisky.
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• Shot Glass − It is a small glass used to consume fermented or distilled alcohol
directly. It can also be used to pour distilled alcohol into other glasses for
mixing with water or sparkling water.
• Snifter − It is used to serve spirits.
• Thistle Glass − Its silhouette is shaped like a thistle flower. These glasses
have tapered broad rims with round cups attached to a stem and disk. It is
used to serve ales and aerated drinks.
• Tulip Glass − It is used to serve beer, cocktail, or mocktail.
Disposable Linen
This includes items that can be used only once. These items are made of recycled
paper with high absorbing capacity. For example, table napkins, restroom tissues,
wrappers, and facial tissues. Facial tissues soaked in Cologne water are given to the
guests. It is considered a good welcome gesture. Disposable table linen is usually
offered to guests in trains or aircrafts before meals.
Non-Disposable Linen
The items in this category are made from flax. This includes table cover, dinner
napkins, tea napkins, and table runners. Non-disposable linen must be clean and
pleasantly scented. It must be starched if required.
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Non-Disposable linen must be placed on the table tidily. The staff can fold them and
arrange them in decorative shapes or just put them through decorative linen rings to
catch guests’ eyes and start imparting warm experience to them at the table.
• Refrigerator
• Electric oven
• Toaster
• Coffee Brewing Machine
• Blender
• Electric food whisk
• Knives and chopping boards
• Hollowware like casserole, bowls, and dishes of various sizes
• Crockery
• Drinkware
• Cutlery
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Sideboards in Pantry
Sideboards are mainly shelving with drawers. These can be used to store hollowware
and glassware. The following are the different varieties of sideboards −
• Buffet − It has high legs than the sideboard.
• Credenza − They are the storage cabinets without legs. They mostly have
sliding glass doors.
• Server − A server is smaller, shorter, and more formal than a buffet or
sideboard.
• Sideboard − It has short legs.
Trolley
It is a serving cart used for serving as well as storing. It has wheels which enable it to
move easily around the kitchen. It is also used in elite food and beverage outlets for
serving the guests. It is available in various designs, sizes, and shapes. You can
choose on number of shelves and sections, and burners. When not in use, it is
preferably parked at the wall.
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BAB 16. Food & Beverage - Cleaning &
Maintenance
When the food is ready to arrive in the pantry, used utensils for food preparation are
cleaned immediately and wiped off dry for later use. If any other ancillary serving item
such as electric hand blender is damaged, it is reported to the concerned manager
and replaced with a working one at the earliest.
When the guests complete their meals and leave the table, it is required to prepare
the table immediately by clearing the used tableware. If any tableware is found broken
or damaged, it is reported to the concerned store department and a request is made
for its replacement. The table covers and runners are checked and replaced with
fresh ones if need be.
The used tableware is handed over to the cleaning and washing staff. The linen is
also handed over to the laundry department in the hotel. In case of other F&B
Services businesses, the soiled linen can be stored separately and given away to
contracted laundry service.
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A POS system in the F&B Services can increase convenience and accuracy in order
tracking, and can save time during rush hours. It can smoothly perform the following
functions −
What is Garnishing?
It is the way of decorating the food or beverage so that it is aesthetically appealing
for the guests/customers. It works on the plate. Garnishing also harmonizes color,
flavor, and taste of the main dish.
Chopped herbs or small twigs of herbs, leafy vegetables, twirls of carrots or tomatoes,
swirls of fresh cream, fruit glaze, chopped nuts, seedless berries, and lemon zest or
slices are used for garnishing.
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Desserts are garnished with dried fruits, fresh fruit zests, glazes, roasted or candied
nuts, frostings, chocolate curls, chocolate coated buts, or small pieces of sugar arts.
Drinks like cocktails and mocktails are garnished using fruit pieces and zests, mint
leaves, and castor sugar. Milk based drinks are garnished mostly with fruit pieces,
cherries, chocolates, or nuts.
The following are some important Dos and Don’ts to be understood in food garnishing
−
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What is Accompaniment?
There are dishes that come along with accompaniments. These accompaniments
complement the main food and enrich its taste. It provides an aesthetic value to the
main dish. The accompanying food or beverage itself can have a garnish of its own.
An accompaniment can be inside the main dish or in a separate bowl.
The following are a few different types of accompaniments −
For example, grilled Hake fish served with potato chips and Pizza served with garlic
bread, cheese dip, and a carbonated beverage.
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Bouillabaisse Chopped herbs Country bread slices spread
with Rouille, a spicy
mayonnaise.
Indian Snacks Idli, Chhonk of clarified butter with mustard and Coconut-Cilantro-Green Chili
Vada, and Dhokla cumin seeds, and curry leaves. Chutney. Idli and Vada are often
accompanied with lentil curry
called ‘Sambar’.
Indian Onion or Chili Not essential Tomato sauce or hot and sour
Fritters (Pakoras) chutney.
Mutton/Chicken/ Veg Chopped coriander and caramelized onion Liquid gravy with lemon wedges
Biryani stripes. and onion-tomato-cucumber
salad in curds.
Indian one dish meal Pao is garnished with butter and Bhaji with Onion-Tomato-Cilantro salad
Pao-Bhaji (Pao=bread, chopped cilantro and butter. with lemon wedges and mango
Bhaji=Spicy Stew) pickle.
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Sage and Onion Stuffed Pieces or Stripes of salad vegetables. Apple sauce and roast gravy.
Goose
Fromage Assorti Castor sugar for crème cheese. Celery, Radish, Water Crest,
(Assorted Cheese) and Cracker Biscuits.
Wine Cheese
Shiraz Cambozola
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Cabernet Sauvignon Blue, Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Gouda, and
Parmesan
Port (hails from Portugal and sweeter than Blue and Gorgonzola
other wines)
Standardized Recipes
A critical standardized recipe is one that, “has been tried, adapted, and retried several
times for use by a given food service operation and has been found to yield the same
good results under same procedures, equipment, and quantity and quality of
ingredients.”
Generally, popular menu items are developed using standard recipes, ingredients,
and presentation.
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Benefits of Standardized Recipes
Predicting the total yield for a particular number of customers and calculating weights
of ingredients accordingly is important in standardized recipes.
For recipe to be prepared for new lot of customers, the total yield changes. The new
yield can be calculated in the following two steps −
Step 1 − Calculate conversion factor as −
Conversion Factor = New Yield / Old Yield
Step 2 − Multiply the measure of each ingredient by the conversion factor to obtain
the new yield −
New Yield = Old ingredient quantity x Conversion factor
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BAB 18. Food & Beverage Services - Beverage
Service
Beverages play an important role in accompanying food. Beverages also enhance
flavour of main dish and help to cleanse the taste buds in between bites, and
complement the dish.
Hot beverages such as hot tea or coffee, and hot chocolate are prepared in the
kitchen and generally served from the kitchen pantry. Cold beverages such as
mocktails and alcoholic beverages such as spirits, liquors, and cocktails come to the
guests’ tables from bars.
Types of Bars
A bar is a place where non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are served. It is
equipped with a back bar with necessary equipment such as bar tools, and glassware
to serve the beverages. The customers sit on tall push-down chairs around the
counter. The barmen or barmaids commonly known as bartenders prepare drinks
and serve them to the customers. There are some typical types of bars −
• Public − It is a bar in a public house which is open for public and not exclusive.
• Service Bar − It is for the staff.
• Portable − They are compact bars easy to set up for off-premise catering.
• Mini − It is a private bar located in VIP rooms, suites, or penthouses of the
hotel.
Bar Tools
The following tools are necessary to serve beverages from bar −
• Bar Linen and Cocktail Napkins − They are used to save work area from any
mess while pouring the beverage.
• Pouring Spouts − They make smooth serving of beverage apportioned
equally into the glasses.
• Juice Containers − They are useful to save bartending time by keeping most
demanded juices handy.
• Cocktail Shaker Tins − They are suitable for mixing the ingredients of
cocktails and martinis well.
• Short Shaker Tins − They are used to shake small amount of drinks efficiently.
• Cocktail Strainer − It is used to sieve cocktails before serving.
• Corkscrew or Wine Opener − They are used to open corks of wine bottles.
• Bottle Opener − They are used to open caps of bottled beverages.
• Jigger − It is an alcohol measuring two-sided cup.
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• Lemon Zester − It is used for cutting lemon zest.
• Bar Spoon − Also called muddler, is used for mixing beverages briefly.
• Masher − It is used to mash ingredients to help release oils and flavours
effectively.
The legal age of drinking alcohol is different in different countries. The minimum age
to purchase and consume alcohol ranges from 16 years to 25 years. In some
countries, this age limit varies according to strength of the alcohol, premises of
consumption, or whether the young customer is accompanied by an adult.
When the customer looks underage, the beverage serving staff is compelled to ask
for the customer’s driving license or any reliable identity card from a well-recognized
institution as a proof of age before serving the alcohol.
It is up to the serving staff who has had enough drink as the drunk persons
themselves often fail to be composed and know their own state. To keep the account
of how much the customers are drinking, the bartenders must use standard measures
for pouring drinks.
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Cutting off Alcohol Service
The bartending staff needs to cut off alcohol service if the customer is on the way of
binge drinking and seems not able to handle it. Refusal of alcohol service should be
−
Mise-en-scene
It is the activity of preparing the environment in the F&B Services establishment so
that the guests and the service staff find it hygienic and pleasant.
To prepare the environment, the staff carries out the following activities −
• Opening all windows and doors before working hours to let fresh air and
sunlight enter the venue.
• Ensuring menu cards and promotional material are presentable.
• Removing the furniture that needs servicing and handing it over to the
maintenance department or any outsourced agency.
• Vacuuming carpets if any.
• Switching on all lamps to check the fused ones.
Mise en place
It is the activity of putting things in place to make the subsequent F&B Services
smooth. The serving staff carries out the following duties −
• Removing all soiled linen and replacing them with the fresh ones.
• Ensuring that the side board is well-equipped.
• Replenishing condiment containers, shakers, and water jugs.
• Polishing cutlery and glassware.
• Replacing pale flowers with the fresh ones.
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Preparing Side Boards (Dumb Waiters)
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Crystal clear ice in the shape of large cubes can be prepared in-house if the size of
F&B establishment is large enough to install the required equipment. The ice can also
be purchased from an outsourced ice-making business and stored in the freezers.
When the guests are seated, they are first served water at adequate temperature
according to the season.
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Setting Table for Casual Dining
This table setup is required for informal events like holiday parties and family
gatherings. Casual dining can contain multiple courses and service staff offers or
serves second rounds of helping when a guest requests for it. This table setup
appears as follows −
• The food items are placed in a sequence from lightest to heaviest, starters to
desserts, or coolest to warmest.
• Cutlery is placed on the guest tables.
• Glasses, cups, and saucers are placed on a separate table to avoid
congestion.
• Table decoration pieces are placed such that they do not interfere with the
food items.
• Plates are stacked not more than 15 plates per stack.
• Paper napkins are placed between the plates.
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Preparing Condiments
The condiments are kept according to the theme of the F&B service. For example, if
the establishment is serving Italian food, the staff needs to prepare shakers of dried
herbs, salt, and pepper flakes. In European restaurants, they typically keep salt,
sugar, and pepper as basic condiments.
When the guests leave the tables, the serving staff needs to check the condiment
containers and replenish them if required.
Napkin Folding
Today, there are large varieties of napkins available in different colors and materials.
Paper napkins are used majorly for informal dining whereas for formal dining, linen
napkins are preferred.
Napkin can be folded in a number of attractive ways. They can be shaped as a flower,
a character, or some object. A well-folded and well-placed napkin on the plate grabs
the attention of the guests.
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Food Presentation
Presentation of a food or beverage is equally important as its recipe as the other
senses are stimulated through sight and aroma. A well-prepared dish is complete
only when it is presented with beautiful garnish in an appropriate food container or
platter. The serving staff must follow the basic guidelines for food presentation −
• It must be presented at the required temperature.
• It must be presented according to the serving size.
• It must be presented in appropriate hollowware of suitable size.
• It is also recommended to serve food with the right garnish that adds to the
catchiness of the dish. The garnish in contrast colour is quite appealing.
• The garnish or accompaniment should not overshadow the main food.
The cook needs to be creative at presenting the dish so well that the final result comes
out as a treat for not only the taste buds but also for the eyes.
Beverage Presentation
Beverage presentation gains a lot of importance in today’s world. Beverages taste
good if they are presented at the temperature at which they are meant to have. Right
from selecting the appropriate service glassware, creating various pleasant colour
schemes of the ingredients, and serving the beverage with creative ideas pays.
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For example, the coconut water from a tender coconut can be served in the neatly
cut and clean tender coconut itself from which it is taken out. Also, mocktails or
cocktails can be presented with straws and slices of fruits in different shapes and
colours.
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• Place the water and the wine glasses on the top-right corner of the dinner plate.
• Shape the clean linen aesthetically and place it on the extreme left.
• Place the dinner plate one inch inside the table edge near the chair.
• Place the forks on the left side in descending order of their size with the
largest fork to be closest to the dinner plate.
• Place dinner spoon and knife on the dinner plate’s right side.
• Place water and the wine glasses on the top-right side of the dinner plate.
• Shape the clean linen aesthetically and place it on the extreme left on the top
of the dinner plate.
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• Ensure that you solve all the customer queries before terminating the
telephonic conversation.
• Speak clearly with a cooperative tone; do not speak loudly.
• Avoid domain jargons and informal words such as ‘Yup’, ‘hang-on’ or yeah.’
Instead, use formal words such as ‘absolutely’, ‘please wait’, ‘Yes’, etc.
• Always end the phone call by saying, ‘Thank you for calling (sir/madam)!’.
While taking orders on phone, the visual channel of communication is absent. Hence
the staff needs to listen to the caller attentively while taking order on the phone.
• Answer the customer’s call immediately and take the communication further
cordially by saying, “Good (morning/afternoon/evening), I am (own name);
How can I help you?”
• Pay a complete ear to the customer’s requirement of food, beverage, table
reservation, or any specific requirement.
• Note down the order details on a notepad.
• Inform the customer about time estimation of delivery if it is home delivery
order. If it is table reservation, confirm the timing of customer’s arrival and the
total number of persons to the customer.
• Repeat the order to the customer and take his confirmation.
• Ask for the address or confirm the address and contact number if it is already
in the database.
• End the conversation by greeting the customer and assuring him the best
service.
• Hand over the order to the kitchen staff. Inform the delivery staff member in
case of home delivery. Inform the service staff members to prepare a table for
the given number of persons and the occasion in case of table reservation.
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• Greet the guests and ask them courteously, “What would you like to have,
(Sir/Madam)?”
• Note down the order carefully.
• Confirm which variant of the food or beverage they wish to have; if there are
multiple variants of the same food item. Help the guests by suggesting the
beverage or side dish that goes well with the main dish if required.
• Repeat the items ordered with their respective quantities.
• Inform the guest about expected time of the order arrival.
• Leave the guest table and send the order to the kitchen.
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Loading the Trays
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Clearing the Tables
It is important to clear the table between two dining sessions by following procedure
• Clear the table first when the guests finish their main course.
• Clear it for the second time just before the guests leave the table.
• While clearing, first remove all the pieces of flatware and chinaware except
table linen and center piece. Let the dessert flatware remain in case of first
clearing.
• Let wine glasses be on the table even after the main course.
• While clearing, pickup one plate at a time and place on the tray carefully. In
case of formal dining, replace the removed plate by a fresh one so that table
cover of the guest is never empty.
• Do not overload the tray with pile of used plates; make extra rounds to the table
if required.
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• When the guest stands up to leave the table, pull the chair backwards by
informing him/her to help to get out of the chair gracefully.
• Thank the guest for his/her visit and invite him/her to visit again.
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This food contamination occurs when utensils or other tableware are not wiped
dry after washing them using cleaning liquids. It also takes place when the
food is not stored properly when pest control chemicals are sprayed.
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Hygiene Concerns of F&B Services Business
Any food business must be concerned about −
• Training all food handling and service staff with a detailed knowledge of food
and equipment hygiene and safety.
• Ensuring food handlers and servers not to handle food in case of contamination
possibility.
• Supplying hand-washing facilities with soap, running hot water, and paper
towels for its staff.
Every F&B Services business must also be concerned about food safety and adhere
to safety of food and beverage it serves. It must ensure −
• Marking Date on Food − The perishable ready-to-eat food refrigerated for
more than 24 hours must be clearly marked at the time of preparation to
indicate the date by which the food should be consumed.
• Storing of Food − Hot and cold foods and beverages need to be stored at the
right temperature. The food temperature measuring devices must be accurate.
• Cleaning Equipment − The area and facilities allocated for cleaning food
preparation and service equipment must be large enough to immerse the
utensils and sanitize them.
• Limiting Cross-Contamination − Storing raw food such as raw meat or
vegetables from cooked food is essential to avoid cross-contamination of the
food.
• Employing FSS − The F&B Services businesses must employee at least one
Food Safety Supervisor depending upon the business size.
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