Keeping your head above water can be tough on a busy shift, but becomes even more challenging when everyone seems to have special requests. From substituting side dishes to ordering off the menu, people can be very particular about their food.
Some food service job opportunities involve a busier work environment than others, but most establishments get hectic sometimes. Use these tips to manage it all, with a smile on your face.
Write Requests Down
If you’ve worked in food service for awhile, you might’ve become so comfortable with the job that you no longer write customer orders down. This probably works well when you’re not swamped — and when people don’t make special requests — but it’s easy to forget things when you’re running in several different directions at once.
Writing requests down ensures you won’t have to take extra time to go back to the customer and get their order again if you forget it. This also increases your chances of getting it right, because having to send it back takes extra time and reduces customer satisfaction.
Ask For Help
There’s only so many guests one worker can handle. Spreading yourself too thin will stress you out and increase your chances of making mistakes on customer orders. If you get in over your head, ask a colleague to help out. This will give you more time to focus on each person you’re serving, which will provide guests with an outstanding experience.
Know When to Say ‘No’
Granting guest requests is your job, and you always aim to please. However, some demands might be a bit too unreasonable to satisfy. If a customer requests something impossible or so complex you’re unable to tend to other guests, it’s okay to politely explain you cannot accommodate their wishes. Offer up your best alternative, and if that still isn’t enough, feel confident that you tried your best.
Your hectic lifestyle isn’t conducive to a job with a set schedule, but LGC Hospitality has you covered. We offer fun, flexible food service gigs at professional stadiums in 25+ cities across the country, so contact us today to get started!