The art of Order Taking

The Art of Order Taking

As you know Order taking is a skillful art for any waiter. After proper greeting and seating a waiter needs to wait for the guest to take order.

Today, we will learn how to take food order in restaurant through step by step instruction.

Step-1: Observe your guest:

Be observant and use proper timing

Smile, make eye contact and try to anticipate when the guest is ready to order e.g. when a guest closed the menu or look around, that is an indication that he/she is ready to order

Step-2: Approach to the table:

Approach the guest table with a smile and maintain eye contact by saying: 

Excuse me Mr./Mrs./Ms… or Sir/Madam, may I take your order please

Step-3: Suggestive selling:Recommend your buffet to the guest by saying: May I

suggest our (according to the meal period):lunch buffet which consist of ….. dinner buffet which

consist of….If the guest prefers to order from the a la carte menu,

advise the guest of our daily specials or other promotion

Offer further suggestions accordingly by saying: Excuse me Mr./Mrs./Ms…. or Sir/Madam, would you

like to have an appetizer to start with, may I suggest our ….

OrToday’s bar special is _______________(name of a cocktail/

mocktail).”/ Shall I bring you an iced tea or a mocktail to start with?

Step-4: Take the Order:During the ordering process, note down the

number of guests and items ordered in a sequential order corresponding to the seats on your order pad

Take order from the lady first follow by an older gentleman or a guest and the host last

KOT (Kitchen Order Ticket)1. SL No. 31672 (ref Picture) 2. Table No3. Cover – Total No. of Guest 4. Time 5. Date6. Quantity7. Item8. Cover No- from the kitchen entrance Cover No 1, then 2, 3, 4…. anti clock wise.

All order takers to approach table with KOT Pad for taking orders.

Step-5: Repeat the Order:

After all the guests has ordered, repeat the order back (from the order pad) to the guests by saying ( in a clear, confident and polite manner): Excuse me Mr./Mrs./Ms…. or Sir/Madam, may I repeat your order please, they are…

Step-6: Inform the timeline

Step-7: Before leaving the table:

When guest has acknowledge the order, thank guest politely and collect all menu

Tips: Confirm with the guests if they would prefer to be served course by course or all the

dishes at the same time (For guests who has ordered more than one dish or have different numbers of dishes)

Refer to the menu to identify the items that can be prepared with different methods or served with different sauces, etc. Ask the guest what they would prefer

Always approach guest in a friendly and courteous manner Speak with a clear and confident tone Address guest by their name where possible All order takers to approach table with KOT Pad for taking orders. Please listen to guest attentively when he is placing the order. If you feel order requires change as guest has ordered for wrong combination, please

suggest guest by using phrase, “ May I suggest you to ……….” Once you’ve taken the order, please repeat the order with request/ instruction given

by guest. ( Sir, you’ve asked for Mix Vegetables in hot garlic sauce, but you don’t require mushroom in same. Or Sir you’ve asked for Chicken steaks with more vegetables, and you won’t require potatoes to be served with same.).

While repeating order, please make sure that you are audible and guest is paying attention to you.