Procedure
Cold dishes first
Pick up cold items first such as salads and sandwiches using a service tray if necessary
Side dishes
Prepare all the appropriate related accompaniments for serving the food, e.g., toast, condiment sauces, fingerbowls, side plates, etc. Check all the accompaniments
Hot dishes
Collect the hot food from the main kitchen using a service tray with the appropriate food cover. Once removed hot food must be served immediately
Pick up all the ordered food from the kitchen and double check with the Captain Order (or printout from the POS terminal where available) that orders are complete and accurate
Before checking the food, check the printout or captain order, giving priority to the ladies’ dishes first
Check again the Captain Order (or the printed order) at the service station. Check each of the guests’ orders is correct. Ensure all food items for the table concerned have arrived
Second Course Calling
When preparing to clear a guest’s table from the previous course, about 5 minutes before the food for the next course is to be served, inform the kitchen
Three basic rules for collecting food
1. Never take food from the counter before the Outlet Chef allows you to do so
2. Food from the hot kitchen always has priority on food from the cold kitchen. Therefore the waiter must be sure he has collected the cold dishes before the hot dishes are ready
3. Once the food has been collected, it must be served as quickly as possible, hot food especially
Any delay in serving hot food results in a decrease in quality of the dish