How can you train staff to enhance the dining experience?

1) Culinary Skills Training 2) Menu Knowledge 3) Service Excellence 4) Attention to Detail 5) Communication Skills 6) Hospitality Training 7) Continuous Improvement

Train them to understand the difference between service and hospitality SERVICE. HOSPITALITY Skillset. Mindset Physical needs. Emotional needs Transactional. Relational But, even before training hire mindset over skillset. Look for people who care about others. Then lead the charge by caring for them.

In my experience I’ve found that making the learning of a new dish, skill, cooking methods is to make it fun, exciting and a challenge.

What is the purpose of your Guests outing? Too often we teach selling versus hospitality. Dining is an emotional experience for the guests and the staff.

In my training methods, I always encourage the staff to put themselves in place of the clients. In that way, they are able to comprehend each clients preference and provide the most sincere form of hospitality while dining. Good communication skills go a long way in providing good hospitality, like asking your clients preference, suggesting specials on the menu, understanding their mood, remembering their faces and building a rappot.

Customer Service Skills: Train staff to be friendly, attentive, and empathetic to customer needs. Product Knowledge: Ensure staff are well-versed in the menu. Upselling Techniques: Train staff on upselling techniques without being pushy. Tableside Manner: Teach staff how to interact with customers at the table, including how to take orders. Efficiency and Timing: Emphasize the importance of efficiency in service, ensuring that food and beverages are delivered promptly. Cultural Sensitivity: Provide training on cultural differences and customs. Teamwork: Encourage teamwork among staff members to ensure a seamless dining experience. Feedback and Improvement: Regularly seek feedback from customers and staff to identify areas for improvement.

Something we find useful is to repeat what the guest orders back to them...then announce the dish again when the plate is served. Before leaving the table, confirm with the guest that they are pleased with the plate.

If your staff aren't already polite and aren't using positive language with your customers, you need to look at your hiring practices rather than your training. But, clear communication is obviously important. Your staff should be able to communicate important information to customers as well as to other staff. If you want to foster a truly exceptional guest experience, train your staff in storytelling. Encourage them to tell the story of the special rather than just telling customers what the special is.

Something we have found helpful is for the Chef to go into the dining room and talk with the guests and family members to get first-hand feedback. This is powerful for the guests to feel heard and for the Chef to understand what the guests like and dislike about the menu items by getting feedback firsthand.

Let the guests know you are happy that they chose us to dine with. Make it not only a special night for them and watch how rewarding it is not only for them but you too.

Showing true enjoyment in being with the guests in the lounge and dining rooms in infectious. That enthusiasm and always positive attitude is a model for all service team members. If you are not happy in the job you are doing, find another one that you can find joy in. If your lucky enough to find that, your life will change for the better.

+ eye contact (Facing towards them and stop what you're doing while giving guests greeting to give upmost welcome) + Gratitude (Showing our gratitude towards guest can only be achieved by expressing them) + Ichi-go ichi- Eh (一期一会 Japanese old saying meaning "one opportunity for one occasion" Meaning this may be last time you will experience or serve this opportunity. Therefore we must try our best make it memorable for you and guest. )

We find that training the staff to "say yes" first when guests are making requests in the dining room. And to give them confidence in saying yes, talk to the staff and discuss common or anticipated requests and how they can handle the requests on the spot, without waiting for a manager. When you have given the dining team some parameters for solving requests/issues, they feel much more confident in addressing the issue and the guest gets quick resolution. All it takes is communication and planning. The staff will feel more engaged in building the hospitality of the community.

Train them to understand the difference between service and hospitality SERVICE. HOSPITALITY Skillset. Mindset Physical needs. Emotional needs Transactional. Relational But, even before training hire mindset over skillset. Look for people who care about others. Then lead the charge by caring for them.

Knowledge and Attitude Working with Oberoi hotels for so many years I always learnt that it's important to have complete knowledge of your product. It not only enhances guests'experience since the server is well learned about the product and can explain to the guests all the nitty gritties about it. And it also tells the guest that the server is very passionate about the job he does and he cares. Attitude : the reason we call them guest and not customer is because we value them more. And we treat them like our guest who visit our home. The attitude has to be such that you take utmost care of the guest with a smile. ALL THINGS CAN BE TAUGHT FROM BOOKS BUT ATTITUDE TOWARDS GOOD SERVICE WITH A GENUINE SMILE COMES FROM WITHIN.

There are many excellent viewpoints listed in the responses here. I love this topic as it engages many excellent training techniques. At the end of the day leading by example and consistent follow up are absolutely essential. We must ensure the leaders from Ownership/Ceo's to store leaders are truly bought in to the desired guest experience and living that culture every day. Proper follow up on all training is the key to long term success.

Training staff to enhance the dining experience involves focusing on softer skills that create a welcoming atmosphere for guests. This includes smiling genuinely when greeting guests, checking in on them periodically without being intrusive, and attending to their needs promptly and courteously. It's crucial to ensure that staff gets the basics right, such as proper table service and menu knowledge, as these form the foundation of a great dining experience. By mastering these fundamental skills and maintaining a warm and attentive demeanor, staff can elevate the overall dining experience for guests.

Happy staff + defined purpose and goals = happy guests. It's a pretty simple formula. Empower your staff with the freedom and ability to improve someone's day. That could mean giving a table free dessert, giving them a new menu item to try, whatever it is, give your staff the freedom to be creative in this and your guests experience will be forever changed.