How to Handle Service Tray in Restaurant | Coffeeshop?

Practical 7: Carrying a Salver

Department: Food and Beverage Service – Restaurant
Date Issued: 
Time to Train: 30 Min

1. Selecting the Service Tray:

1. All trays must be clean and tidy, free

from chips.
2. Required items for preparing the tray
are 1) Service tray 2) A clean tray cloth.
3. Check that the tray is clean and dry.
4. Check that the tray is well polished.
5. Check that the tray cloth is clean and
free of stains, tears or holes.

2. Holding the Service Tray:

1. Small service tray should be carried with one hand.

2. The big tray must be carried with two
hands.
3. Place the left hand under the centre of the
tray with fingers spending out comfortably.
4. Heavy, high and hot items must be closed
to your body.
5. Pick up the tray in your left hand, ensuring
your palm is in the centre to keep the tray
well balanced.
6. Your left arm needs to be at a 90-degree
angle to your body. Elbow to be kept close to the side.

3. Positioning glasses on the tray:

1. The glasses need to be evenly balanced.

2. The tallest glasses are positioned closest to
your body for safety.
3. Make sure the glasses cover no more than
80% of the tray.
4. Make sure the glasses are not touching
each other on the tray.
 5. Make sure there are no glasses to lay on
the rim of the tray cloth.

4. Moving with the Service Tray:

1. Walk confidently and carefully.

2. Eyes always looking forward.
3. Demonstrate good posture.
4. The tray is kept on the level at all times.
5. Always keep balance and not overloaded when carrying a tray.
6. Don’t walk too fast or rushing in the restaurant.
7. Heavy, high items and hot items must be close to the body of service staff.
8. Empty trays must be carried flat, in the service position.
9. Place the left hand under the centre of the tray with fingers spreading out
comfortably.
10. Palm and underarm should be right below the heaviest part of the tray after
the dishes or drinks or service items are put on.
11. Carefully use both
hands when carrying
rectangular bussing tray
(If applicable).
12. Heavy items must be
moved closer to the
body to avoid falling
over and to provide
extra stability.
13. Tray mat or tray liner, if
required, must be
designed to fit the tray,
clean, free of holes and
non-slip.
14. Tray and mat/liner should be washed and sanitized after shift and stored
properly.
15. Never leave a service tray on the guest table while providing service.
16. Avoid un-balanced stacking on the service tray to ensure the safety of the
glasses or plates.

5. Other Points to note while handling trays:

1. Don’t use the tray cloth for any cleaning to avoid additional washing.
2. Give colleagues coming from the right priority.
3. Never overload or stack up too high equipment.
 4. Don’t walk too fast.
5. Use tray mat or liner if require.
6. Avoid unbalanced stacking on the service tray.
7. Never overload or stack up equipment too high
8. Large or heavy trays must be carried with two hands
9. Small service trays can be carried with one hand in the centre of the base,
freeing one hand for service.
10. Fold the tray cloth in an original way.
11. Once you have served, pick up empty glasses from other tables and /or take
new orders.
12. Take cleaning cloth/ clean ashtray with you.

Training Summary questions:

Q1. What is the purpose of this SOP?

Q2. How to prepare and select the Service Tray?
Q3. What are the points to note while moving with the service tray?
Q4. How to position glasses on the service tray?
Q5. Points to note while handling service tray?