The Proper Way To Serve Food And Drinks 

Knowing the reason to serve food and beverage from one side or the other can help you to make a perfect work trial at Restaurant Front of House. There are some rules according to the Type of Table Service: American, English, French, and Russian Service. But, if you don’t know which Types of Services are those mentioned before, this post will help you to clarify your questions:

I recommend you to check the “Basic Protocol Dinner Service To Make Successful Your Work Trial At Front Of House”).

SERVICE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE

You will serve from the right side with your right hand:

• Preplated* food except for side dishes and the bread. (Coming from the right side, you can present the food in front of the guests with your body language open up to them).
• Utensils that are used with the right hand: spoons and knives.
• Empty plates.
• Water, wine, coffee, tea, and all other drinks will be presented and poured from the right side.

ALL DISHES SERVED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE NEED TO BE CLEARED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE. 

SERVICE FROM THE LEFT SIDE

You will serve from the left side with your right hand:

• When you are serving food from a large platter* directly to the empty plate of the guest. (Follow the famous simple rule: “serve food from the left; retrieve dishes from the right”).
• Side dishes* and bread (the bread plate is also placed on the left guest side). 
• Utensils that are used with the left hand: forks. 

ONLY THE SIDE DISHES* SERVED FROM THE LEFT SIDE NEED TO BE CLEARED FROM THE LEFT SIDE.  

ATTENTION

You can not pass your hands in front of customers to clear or place plates or cutlery.

The plates must be placed on the table taking care that the restaurant ANAGRAM is well-entered and right. 

Sometimes, guests start to put their laptops, and notebooks over the table without realising you need to serve the food on that side. I suggest that you clarify with guests, politely, that you are going to start serving the food.

NOTES*

*Large platter: The origin of to serve on the left is because the food used to come out from the kitchen on a large platter. The service hold the large platter on the left guest’s side while guests filled their plates with the food. 

It is a less intrusive way as the tray or platter stands to the left away from the face of the guest. In the event that you serve a food with gravy, guest can hold the plate close to your large platter or tray. 

*Preplated food:  Food is already on the plate and nicely presented. 

*Side dishes: Usually served with main courses such as salads and vegetables. Usually, side dishes are in smaller plates than the main courses. Place them on the guest’s left side close to the main course.