Sequence 2: Greet and seat the guest

(For restaurant Hostess/host)

Step 1: Approach guests who are waiting to be seated or just arrived

inside the restaurant.
 Smile and give a warm greeting, such as “Good Morning” or “Welcome
to Galaxy” etc.
 Be positive when greeting guests. Your manner will affect guest
satisfaction.

Step 2: Ask guest if you are holding a reservation for them.

 If guest is having reservation, then ask the name of the guest and
check in the reservation book. Refer the details and make him seat at
the reserved place.
 If guests do not have a reservation, ask them if anyone else will be
joining them. Then check available seating to see if you can
accommodate them.
 Also enquire about the preference of seating, if guest is no having
reservation.

Step 3: Direct Guests to their table.

 Pick up enough menus for each guest, plus one wine or alcoholic
beverage list.
 Ask the party to follow you, and lead to the table at a reasonable pace.
 Hold the menus high on your arm, not down by your side.
 Stand up straight and give your full attention to the party you are
seating. Do not stop along the way to talk to co-workers, unless it
relates to seating the party you are leading.
 Move service equipment to one side to clear a path for the guests.
Make sure the party is following.
 As you walk, describe restaurant highlights, such as Buffet, or house
special etc.

Step 4: Present the menus:

 Give closed menu, right side up, to each guest in the following order:
children, women, and men.
 Present the menu from the guest’s right side, using you right hand.
 Hand the wine menu or alcoholic menu to the host of the party if there
is one. If not, place the wine list on the table.
 Introduce yourself and tell guests who their server will be.
 Serve water and items such as crackers, bread sticks or other snacks
(as per house policy)
 Step 7: remove the extra settings i.e. extra chairs, glasses, side plates
etc.
 topic: Restaurant related words/phrases 1 (Seating)

Choose the correct words/phrases to complete the following

conversation:

HOSTESS: Hi and welcome to Roberto's. Do you have a reservation?

YOU: No, we don't. Do you have _____________ this evening?

tables waiting
somewhere to sit down
any free tables

HOSTESS: Yes, we do... for 2?

YOU: No, for 4 please. Some friends will be _____________ us.

eating
joining
sitting

HOSTESS: Right this way, please. (SHOWS YOU A TABLE)

YOU: Could we get a table ____________ ?

by the window
window
with window

HOSTESS: I'm sorry, but all those tables are reserved tonight...

YOU: Could you please double ____________ for us? Those tables are really
nice.
inspect
check
research

HOSTESS: Certainly. I'll be back in a second... You're in luck! Someone just

cancelled their reservation!

YOU: That's great! Thank you very much _______________.

help
for the research
for your help
PRACTICE

1. Complete the following conversations.

Conversation 1

Waiter (W):_________________.
Guest (G): I’d like to have dinner in your restaurant at 7:00 tonight.
W: ________?
G: A table for two?
W: __________?
G: David Smith.
W: Mr. Smith, __________?
G: No, thanks.

Conversation 2

W: _________
G: This is Henry Green speaking. I’d like to have a table for four tonight.
W: __________?
G: At about eight.
W: ___________
G: Yes, you are right. By the way, could you give us a table in the corner?
We’d like to have a quiet table.
W: ______________?
G: Thank you. Good-bye.

2. List the order in which restaurant staff do these things. For example: 1 =
(e)

1. ask if guests would like to see the wine list

2. bring the wine list
3. serve the bread or rolls
4. take the guests to their table
5. receive guests when they arrive
6. take guests’ coats to the cloakroom
7. take down the orders from the first and second courses
8. ask if guests would like an aperitif (a drink before meal)
9. offer water
10. take down the wine order
11. bring the menu