How can kitchen staff multitask effectively?

2 Prioritize tasks

Another important aspect of multitasking is to prioritize your tasks and focus on the most urgent and important ones first. Use the ABC method to categorize your tasks: A for must-do, B for should-do, and C for can-do. For example, cooking a dish that takes longer or has a specific time window is an A task, while garnishing or plating is a B task, and cleaning or restocking is a C task. Always start with the A tasks and work your way down. You can also use timers, alarms, or color codes to help you keep track of your tasks and deadlines.

3 Communicate clearly

Communication is essential for multitasking, especially when you work with other kitchen staff. You need to communicate clearly and frequently with your team members, supervisors, and servers, to ensure everyone is on the same page and working efficiently. Use simple and direct language, avoid jargon or slang, and repeat or confirm important information. For example, you can say "I need two medium steaks in five minutes, can you do that?" or "I heard you, two medium steaks in five minutes". You can also use gestures, eye contact, or signals to communicate non-verbally.

4 Delegate wisely

Delegating is another way to multitask effectively, as it allows you to share the workload and free up some time and energy for other tasks. However, delegating wisely means choosing the right person for the right task, based on their skills, experience, and availability. You also need to provide clear instructions, expectations, and feedback, and trust them to do their job. For example, you can delegate a C task to a junior staff member, such as washing dishes or refilling condiments, and explain how and when to do it. You can also delegate a B task to a senior staff member, such as preparing a sauce or a salad, and check on their progress and quality.

5 Avoid distractions

Finally, multitasking requires concentration and focus, which means you need to avoid distractions as much as possible. Distractions can come from internal or external sources, such as your own thoughts, emotions, or habits, or from the noise, temperature, or people around you. To avoid distractions, you need to be aware of what triggers them and how to cope with them. For example, you can use headphones, music, or earplugs to block out the noise, or practice breathing, meditation, or positive affirmations to calm your mind and emotions. You can also set boundaries and limits with your coworkers or customers, and politely decline or postpone any requests or conversations that are not urgent or relevant.