PREPARATION FOR SERVICE

Preparation For Services

The duties to be carried out before the service commences are many and varied according to the particular food and beverages service area concerned.
The term mise en place (preparation for service before time) this is a traditional term used for all the duties that have to be carried out in order to have the room ready for service.
There must be a member of the team that must be responsible to draw up the schedule and that makes sure that it is followed.


Daily duties that should be followed;


Housekeeping

The housekeeping duties include the reception area and may involve the following;

1- Everyday , vacuum the carpet and brush surrounds.
2-Clean and polish doors and glass.
3-Empty waste bin ans ash trays.
4-perform one following tasks , as appropriate;
*Monday; brush and dust tables and chairs.
*Tuesday; polish all the sideboards , windows ledges and cash desk.
*Wednesday; polish all brasses.
*Thursday; clean and polish the reception.
*Commence again as Monday
5-Each day , on completion of all duties ,line up tables and chairs for laying up.







Hotplate
1- Switch on the hotplate
2-Ensure all doors are closed.
3-Items to be placed in the hotplate would be according to the menu offered for example;
*soup plate
*consomme cups
*fish plate
*joint plates
*sweet plates
*coffee cups.





SILVER
Duties might include;

1-Collecting of cutlery,flatware and hollow-ware from the silver room.
2-Polishing and sorting on to trays the following items in quantities agreed with supervisor;
*Service spoon
*Joint/service forks
*Sweet spoon
*Sweet fork
*Soup spoon
*Tea\coffee spoon
*Fish knives
*Fish fork
*Joint knives
*Side knives
*Specialist silver as required for menu.
*Stocking of sideboards.
3-Daily cleaning
*Spirit and electric heaters
*Flare lamps,spirit and gas
*Ashtrays
*Carving trolley





CROCKERY

Duties include;

1-The checking and polishing of sideboard ready for lay-up.
2-The checking and polishing of crockery for hotplate according to menu and service requirements.
3-Preparation of service plates/flats for sideboard.
4-Preparation of stock of crockery for sideboard.
*Fish plate
*Side plate
*coffee saucers


Cruets,ashtrays,table number and butter dishes

Duties include;
1-The collection of cruets,ashtrays,table number and butter dishes from silver room.
2-Checking , filling and polishing the cruets.
3-The laying on table of cruets, ashtrays ,table number and butter dishes with knives, according to the head waiter's instructions.
4-Restoring following service.

Example of cruets;
















Example of ashtrays;


Examples of table numbers;









Examples of butter dishes;




Mostly used in 4,5 star hotels
or guesthouses.

BILLING METHODS

BILLING METHODS

Bill as check - second copy of order used as bill.

Separate bill -bill made from duplicate check and presented yo customer.

Bill with order- service to order and billing at same time example bar or take- away method.

Pre-paid- customer purchase a ticket or card in advance , either for specific meal or specific value.

Voucher - customer has credit issued by third party for either specific meal or specific value example luncheon voucher or tourist agency voucher.

No charge -customers not paying - credit transactions.

Deferred - refer to the example functions-type catering where bill paid by organizer.

The guest may pay at the cash desk on the way out or may pay the cash directly to the waiter who will give change that is necessary.The billing method may take a variety of form depending upon the requirements of the establishment and the depth of management control information to be realized.

*Menu order and customer bill.
*The single order sheet.

The usual system of control is a duplicate check pad.The colour of the check pad may be pink or white ,but generally pink.
When the wine order is taken it is written in duplicate.The wine services staff must remember to fill in the four items of information required , one in each corner of the check.

* Table number or room number.
* Number of covers.
* Date
* signature