Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Slide 1
Develop & maintain food &
beverage knowledge
This Unit comprises two Elements:
Slide 2
Assessment
Assessment for this Unit may include:
Oral questions
Written questions
Work projects
Workplace observation of practical skills
Practical exercises
Formal report from employer or supervisor
Slide 3
Element 1 - Obtain product
information on food & beverages
Performance Criteria for this Element are:
1.1 Research general information on F&B products
1.2 Identify information required to fulfill responsibilities
of job role
1.3 Develop & maintain product knowledge in line with
job role & responsibilities
1.4 Identify features of specific food & beverages
which have potential customer appeal
Slide 4
Research general information on
F&B products
‘Product knowledge’ includes knowledge about:
The venue
Venue facilities
Products & services offered/available
The local area & country
Slide 5
Research general information on
F&B products
‘Product knowledge ‘ is important to:
Demonstrate professionalism
Promote food
Suggest drinks
Generally assist customers
Slide 6
Research general information on
F&B products
Product knowledge required by food waiters includes:
What is available and what is not
Serve sizes
Prices
Cooking styles and times
Ingredients
What is fresh, what is bought in, frozen, pre-prepared
Suitability for dietary or cultural requirements
Cutlery and crockery required to serve menu items
Slide 7
Research general information on
F&B products
Beverage staff should know (have ‘product
knowledge’ about):
Drink types and names of beverages available – mixed
drinks, cocktails
Brand names – spirits, beers, liqueurs
Table, sparkling and fortified wines
Soft drinks – aerated waters, juices, mocktails
Beers – draught and packaged
(Continued)
Slide 8
Research general information on
F&B products
Pre-mixed or RTD drinks
Prices
General knowledge about each product
F&B combinations
Glassware
Slide 9
Research general information on
F&B products
Venue-specific information relates to:
Opening hours
Methods of payment
Booking policies and procedures
Complaint handling procedures
Name of manager or owner
Legal issues
Slide 10
Research general information on
F&B products
Internal sources to gain product knowledge:
Menus and drink lists
Personal taste tests of F&B items
Recipes
Talking to experienced staff
(Continued)
Slide 11
Research general information on
F&B products
Operational manuals
Policy and procedure manuals
Wrapping and packaging material of
products
Touring the venue
Talking to customers
Slide 12
Research general information on
F&B products
External sources of product information:
Product suppliers
The media
Books
Internet
Trade shows and exhibitions
Food and cooking demonstrations
Promotional activities
Slide 13
Research general information on
F&B products
When gaining product knowledge relating to food:
Focus on what is required for your workplace
Learn what is needed for your individual job position
Start with a focus on your immediate needs – and then
expand into other areas
Slide 14
Research general information on
F&B products
You need to know about the following:
Appetisers
Soups
(Continued)
Slide 15
Research general information on
F&B products
Meat – which can be used for entrées and main
courses:
• Types – beef, lamb, veal, goat, pork
Slide 16
Research general information on
F&B products
Poultry:
• Chicken, turkey, squab, pheasant, duck, goose
Slide 17
Research general information on
F&B products
Fish:
• Flat, round, whole, fillets, white, oily
Seafood:
• Shellfish (‘crustaceans’) – crayfish,
crabs, lobster, prawns, shrimp
• Molluscs – octopus, cuttlefish,
squid , clams, whelks, scallops,
cockles, oysters
Slide 18
Research general information on
F&B products
Desserts:
• Served after main course
Slide 19
Research general information on
F&B products
Snacks:
Light meals – may be eat-in or take-away
• Hot chips and potato wedges
• Ploughman’s lunch
Slide 20
Research general information on
F&B products
Cheese:
• Made from cow’s, sheep's or goat’s milk
Slide 21
Research general information on
F&B products
Pasta:
• Produced ‘in house’ or bought-in as a dried product
Slide 22
Research general information on
F&B products
Vegetables:
• Used as accompaniment to main
course & in salads
• ‘Root vegetables ‘ – potatoes, carrots,
onions
• ‘Green vegetables’ – broccoli, sprouts,
celery, peas, beans, spinach, cabbage
• Tomatoes
Slide 23
Research general information on
F&B products
Fruit:
• Growing in popularity – with all/most meals
& given away in-room to house guests
• Pieces/platters of fresh fruit –
pineapple, star fruit, bananas, apples,
rambutan, mango
• Fresh fruit salad – with cream/ice cream/yoghurt
Slide 24
Research general information on
F&B products
Salads:
• Can be stand-alone dishes or served as an accompaniment to
a meal
• Can be cold or ‘warm’ with
(for example) chicken
• Dressings are usually added
Slide 25
Research general information on
F&B products
Pre-packaged food:
• Bought in & sold/used in the venue
Slide 26
Research general information on
F&B products
Specialist cuisine food items:
Special cuts of meat:
• Eye fillet, ribs, chicken leg with thigh attached
Special growing conditions:
• Grain-fed beef
Slide 27
Research general information on
F&B products
National dishes:
Traditional dishes of the country where you work
Need to know:
• Name, ingredients & cooking process/es
• Cost
Slide 28
Research general information on
F&B products
‘Signature dishes’:
Dishes the venue/chef is famous for
Some venues have them, some do not
Can be local or from elsewhere
Are nearly ‘always’ on the menu
Slide 29
Research general information on
F&B products
Other ‘specialist’ foods may include:
Offal
Aromatics, flavourings, spices & herbs
Garnishes
Seeds & nuts
Grains, rice & pulses
Fungi
Preserves, condiments & accompaniments
(Continued)
Slide 30
Research general information on
F&B products
Certain fruits, vegetables, flowers & salad items
Aquatic plants
Specialist cheeses & dairy products
Sweeteners
Fats & oils
Local products
Slide 31
Research general information on
F&B products
Beverage knowledge required:
Learn about what your workplace offers
Learn the brand names of products – so
alternatives can be offered
Slide 32
Research general information on
F&B products
You must learn:
Which ones are suitable drinks for aperitifs
Which ones are suitable for drinking during & after a
meal
Suggested basic wine and food
combinations
What they taste like, look like, smell like
& where they come from
What their alcoholic strength is
(Continued)
Slide 33
Research general information on
F&B products
Domestic or imported?
Wine information – makers, vintages, wine areas, grape
varieties
Serve sizes – individual drinks, bottles &
cans
How beverage products can be served
Slide 34
Research general information on
F&B products
Making of white wine – white wine can be made from red &
white grapes:
Grapes are harvested
Grapes are crushed at the winery
Pressing occurs
Sulphur dioxide is added
The ‘must’ is chilled & allowed to settle
Must is filtered
(Continued)
Slide 35
Research general information on
F&B products
A commercially prepared yeast is added to the must
Fermentation occurs under refrigeration
Fermentation is stopped when the wine has reached
the required level of dryness or sweetness
Yeast protein, skins and other residue are allowed to
settle out & wine is 'fined‘ to remove unwanted matter
The wine is aged
Slide 36
Research general information on
F&B products
Process for making red wine – red wine can only be made
from red grapes:
Grapes are harvested & crushed - juice stays in
contact with skins
Winemaker determines how long juice stays on the
skins
Grapes pressed to extract all the juice and other juice
may be added – many red table wines are ‘blends’
Fermentation occurs
Wine is filtered & stored in wood
Wine is bottled for age
Slide 37
Research general information on
F&B products
Wines may be classified in different ways:
Red or white wines
Varietal or generic wines
Sparkling wines
Fortified wines
Slide 38
Research general information on
F&B products
Varietal wines:
‘Varietal’ wines are wines made from nominated grape
variety
Where wine claims to be made from certain grapes, it
must be made from a minimum percentage of the stated
variety
Where wine claims to be made from grapes of a certain
year a minimum percentage of the wine must be from the
specified year
Where wine claims to come from a nominated area a
minimum percentage must come from the stated area
Slide 39
Research general information on
F&B products
White grape varieties:
Chardonnay
Chenin Blanc
Rhine Riesling
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Traminer
Slide 40
Research general information on
F&B products
Red grape varieties:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Shiraz
Slide 41
Research general information on
F&B products
‘Generic’ wines are made to a style:
Generic white wines:
• Chablis, Hock, Moselle, Riesling, Sauternes, White
Burgundy
Generic red wines:
• Burgundy, Claret
Slide 42
Research general information on
F&B products
‘Blended’ wines:
Made from two or more
grape varieties
Creates a unique wine
May be done to overcome deficiencies in one grape
type
Many excellent wines are blended – blended wines are
not inferior
Slide 43
Research general information on
F&B products
‘Sparkling wine’:
Only sparkling wine form the
Champagne region in France can be
called Champagne
All other ‘wine with bubbles’ is
‘sparkling wine’
There are four main production
methods for making sparkling wines
Slide 44
Research general information on
F&B products
Methods for making ‘sparkling wine’:
Méthode champenoise –
the traditional method
Carbonated (or Injection) method
Cuvee close (or Charmat, or Bulk, or Tank) method
Transfer method
Slide 45
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F&B products
Different styles of Champagnes:
Non-Vintage (N.V.)
Vintage
Rosé
Crémant
Blanc de Blancs
Blanc de Noirs
Slide 46
Research general information on
F&B products
Sparkling wines vary in sweetness:
Driest is called ‘Extra brut’, then they describe
increasing levels of sweetness:
• Brut
• Extra dry
• Sec
• Demi-sec
Sweetest is called ‘Doux
Slide 47
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F&B products
Champagne bottle sizes:
Common/standard – 375 mls & 750 mls
Magnums – equivalent to 2 x 750 ml bottles
Jeroboam – 4 bottles
Rehoboam – 6 bottles
Methuselah – 8 bottles
Salmanazar – 12 bottles
Balthazar – 16 bottles
Nebuchadnezzar – 20 bottles
Slide 48
Research general information on
F&B products
Fortified wine:
Base wine with added alcohol
The extra alcohol adds sweetness &
improves the ‘keeping’ quality
Alc/vol = 17% - 22% range
Serve size = 60 mls
Slide 49
Research general information on
F&B products
Fortified wines include:
Sherries
• Dry, Medium, Sweet, Cream
Vermouths
Ports
Muscats
Slide 50
Research general information on
F&B products
Vermouth:
White wine infused with various herbs,
spices, flowers, fruits
Available in:
• Red – ‘rosso’ (sweet): also called ‘Italian’
Slide 51
Research general information on
F&B products
Ports are available in a variety of styles:
White port – no/less time in contact with grape skins
Ruby port – blended & bottled young to retain
‘fire’
Tawny port – called after its colour due to wood
aging
Vintage port – made from grapes of one specific year: should
be consumed with 2 – 3 days of opening
Liqueur port – tawny port which has been allowed to
evaporate through casks to reduce amount of liquid &
concentrate the sugar, colour & flavour
Slide 52
Research general information on
F&B products
Muscat:
Name can refer to the grape variety or the fortified wine
Is a red dessert wine
Also available in ‘Liqueur’ form (similar to liqueur port)
Slide 53
Research general information on
F&B products
Major wine producing countries of the world:
Slide 54
Research general information on
F&B products
Spirits:
There are 5 basic spirits:
• Whiskey
• Rum
• Gin
• Vodka
• Brandy
Slide 55
Research general information on
F&B products
Whisky:
Distilled from grain (barley, rye, maize, cereal)
There are various sorts:
• Scotch whisky – grain, de luxe, malt
Slide 56
Research general information on
F&B products
Other whisky products:
Irish whiskey:
• Jameson, Paddy’s, Tullamore Dew
Bourbon & Rye whiskies:
• Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Whisky
• Jack Daniels Sour Mash Tennessee
Whiskey
• Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Whiskey
Slide 57
Research general information on
F&B products
Rum:
Distilled from molasses
Styles:
• Jamaican, Barbados, Trinidad
Colours:
• Red, clear/white, gold
Brand names:
• Captain Morgan, Bacardi, Cougar
Slide 58
Research general information on
F&B products
‘Proof’:
Another way of indicating the alcohol content of spirits
‘Proof’ figure will be twice the alc/vol figure
80 proof means 40% alc/vol
Slide 59
Research general information on
F&B products
Gin:
White spirit with added infusions of various berries &
herbs – juniper, sloe berries, coriander, cardamon,
citrus peel
‘London Dry Gin ‘ –
most called for type:
• Gordon’s, Tanqueray, Gilbey’s
Slow Gin – emphasis on sloe berries
Slide 60
Research general information on
F&B products
Vodka:
Made from a base grain or molasses & heavily filtered
Traditionally not flavoured but recent
vodkas feature infusions of cherries,
pears, cranberries, strawberries, vanilla,
oranges, lemons & other ingredients
Popular brands – Enistoff, Karloff,
Finlandia, Wyborowa, Smirnoff, Skyy
Slide 61
Research general information on
F&B products
Brandy:
Distilled from grapes
Widely produced
Popular brands = St. Remy, Remy Martin, Hennessy
Cognac:
Must be made in ‘Cognac’ region (France)
Consumed from Brandy Balloon
Popular brands = Courvoisier, Remy Martin, Camus
Slide 62
Research general information on
F&B products
Tequila:
Mexican spirit – clear to pale gold in colour
Made from cactus plant
May have worm in the bottle
Popular brands - José Cuervo, El Toro, Coyote
Slide 63
Research general information on
F&B products
Service of spirits:
Double (60 mls), Full nip (30 mls) or Half (15 mls)
May be in long or short glass
May be served ‘with’ or ‘without’ ice
‘Neat’ = no ice, no water, no mixer
If patron does not specify, standard industry practice is:
• Ask how they want it
Slide 64
Research general information on
F&B products
Mixers/soft drink with spirits:
Gin – tonic water, lemon squash, bitter lemon,
lemonade, orange juice
Brandy – dry ginger, cola, lemonade
Whisky – dry ginger, cola, soda water
Rum – cola
Vodka – lemon squash, orange juice, tomato juice
Slide 65
Research general information on
F&B products
RTDs:
Stands for pre-mixed ‘Ready-To-Drink’ products
Available in bottles & cans
May be spirit-based or wine-based
Examples include Bacardi Breezers,
Vodka Cruisers, Canadian Club and cola, Jack Daniels
and cola
Slide 66
Research general information on
F&B products
Applejack:
Pot distilled from apples
May be straight or neutral spirit
Aquavit:
‘Water of life’
Distilled from grain or potatoes – may be flavoured
Served ice cold – can be stored in a freezer
Slide 67
Research general information on
F&B products
Calvados:
Apple brandy
Eau de Vie:
‘Water of life’
Fruit brandies
Generally colourless
Slide 68
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F&B products
Kirsch:
French cherry brandy
Kirschwasser:
German or Swiss cherry brandy
Slide 69
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F&B products
Ouzo:
Greek national drink
Aniseed flavour
Pernod:
Proprietary brand aniseed-flavoured French drink
Both turn milky in colour when water is added
Slide 70
Research general information on
F&B products
Poire Williams:
French pear brandy
Slivovitz:
Yugoslavian plum brandy
Slide 71
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F&B products
Liqueurs:
Spirits flavoured with a range of ingredients
‘Proprietary’ liqueurs = liqueurs made only by one
company: Tia Maria, Grand Marnier, Galliano
‘Generic’ = styles of liqueurs made by
many producers: advocaat, crème de
menthe, crème de cacao
Used in cocktails or served on their own
- may be served ‘flaming’
Serve size = 30 mls
Slide 72
Research general information on
F&B products
Advocaat:
Thick, yellow egg- & spirit-based
Anisette:
Sweet anise-flavoured
Slide 73
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F&B products
Benedictine DOM:
DOM = Deo Optimo Maximo
Golden liqueur with herb flavour
Cointreau:
Clear orange-flavoured
Slide 74
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F&B products
Crème de Bananes:
Sweet & banana-flavoured
Crème de Cacao:
Sweet liqueur of cocoa & vanilla beans
Crème de Cassis:
Blackcurrant-flavoured
Crème de Menthe:
Mint-flavoured – available in green & clear
Slide 75
Research general information on
F&B products
Drambuie:
Scotch whisky with herbs & honey
Grand Marnier:
Oranges steeped in Cognac
Irish Mist:
Whiskey infused with heather & honey
Kahlua:
Coffee-flavoured
Slide 76
Research general information on
F&B products
Curaçao:
Orange-flavoured liqueur
Blue, orange or colorless
Jagermeister:
Bitter tasting made from herbs, roots & spices
Kummel:
Grain spirit flavoured with caraway seeds
Maraschino:
Cherry liqueur
Slide 77
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F&B products
Midori:
Green & melon-flavoured
Parfait d’Amour:
Highly-scented, violet-colored liqueur
Peach brandy:
Peaches soaked in brandy
Slide 78
Research general information on
F&B products
Sambuca:
Anise-flavoured
Red, black or clear
Tia Maria:
Coffee-flavoured
Slide 79
Research general information on
F&B products
Beer – available in:
Draught – bulk form using kegs/barrels
Packaged form – small and large bottles,
cans
Slide 80
Research general information on
F&B products
Beer is made by ‘brewing’:
Barley steeped in water & germinates
Dried by warm air & ground
Mixed with water to make 'wort’
Wort boiled with hops & sugar
Cooled & yeast added to start fermentation
Beer is then clarified, stored & matured
Filtered, packaged & sold
Slide 81
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F&B products
Boutique beers:
Not mass produced
Have unique characters – colour,
aroma, flavour
May be produced by micro-breweries,
some attached to hotels
May be domestic/local/national or international
(from overseas)
Slide 82
Research general information on
F&B products
Commercially produced beers:
Brewed by big breweries – at different strengths:
• Standard – around 4.9% alc/vol
Slide 83
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F&B products
Citrus-infused beers:
Beer infused during the brewing process with one or
more of the following:
• Orange
• Lemon
• Lime
Slide 84
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F&B products
Imported beers:
Brand Country
Fosters Australia
Lowenbrau
Beck’s
Corona
Budweiser
Heineken
Miller
Maes
Chimay
Duvel
Asahi
Slide 85
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F&B products
Most beer is served ‘neat’ but variations exist:
Shandy = beer & lemonade
Beer with a dash = just a small amount of lemonade
Lager & line = beer & lime juice
Red eye = beer & tomato juice
Black & tan (‘Half & half’) = beer & stout
Portergaff = stout & lemonade
Wedge of lime in neck of Corona bottle
Glasses for beer range from 200 mls.
Slide 86
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F&B products
Non-alcoholic beverages:
Tea
Coffee
Milk shakes & flavoured milks
Smoothies
Hot & iced chocolate
Juices
(Continued)
Slide 87
Research general information on
F&B products
Cordials & syrups
Waters
Soft drinks/aerated waters
Mocktails
Health & energy drinks
Frappés
Children’s specialty drinks
Slide 88
Identify information required to
fulfill responsibilities of job role
General work requirements – Head waiter:
Organise staff
Create table/floor plan
Conduct staff briefing
Liaise with others
Welcome guests
(Continued)
Slide 89
Identify information required to
fulfill responsibilities of job role
Oversee/supervise service session
Monitor service standards
Conduct end-of-session de-briefings
Contribute positive suggestions for change
Slide 90
Identify information required to
fulfill responsibilities of job role
General work requirements – Food waiter:
Setting up room
Greeting guests
Taking orders
Serving food
Clearing tables
Preparing & presenting accounts
(Continued)
Slide 91
Identify information required to
fulfill responsibilities of job role
Receiving payment
Farewelling guests
Stripping room
Slide 92
Identify information required to
fulfill responsibilities of job role
General work requirements – Drink waiter:
Setting glasses
Taking drink orders
Delivering drinks to tables/guests
Serving drinks
Making recommendations
(Continued)
Slide 93
Identify information required to
fulfill responsibilities of job role
Clearing
Preparing, presenting & processing beverage account
Farewelling guests
Stripping room at end-of-service
Cleaning
Slide 94
Identify information required to
fulfill responsibilities of job role
Combined ‘food & beverage’ roles:
Integrate the identified roles of individual food &
beverage waiters
Occur:
• In small venues, &/or
Slide 95
Identify information required to
fulfill responsibilities of job role
‘Runners’ (‘Busboys/busgirls) – support waiters:
Running/bussing dishes to & from kitchen & dining room
Removing unwanted items
Preparing ancillary items to support service
Fetching & carrying whatever the waiter wants
Conveying messages
Dealing with spills
Slide 96
Identify information required to
fulfill responsibilities of job role
General work requirements – Bar staff:
Prepares bar for service
Mix & serve drinks – to staff & direct to
customers
Accepts payment - & may run the accounts
Orders stock
Cleans & tidies bar
Slide 97
Identify information required to
fulfill responsibilities of job role
You may obtain information on what your job entails by:
Reading Job Descriptions & similar
Seeking verbal advice from others
Attending on-the-job training
Reading workplace Checklists
Slide 98
Develop & maintain product knowledge
in line with job role & responsibilities
The industry is constantly changing & you need to be
proactive & stay up-to-date with what is happening – you
can do this through a mix of:
Formal research
Informal research
Slide 99
Develop & maintain product knowledge
in line with job role & responsibilities
Customer feedback & workplace observation is useful in
developing/maintaining product knowledge:
Talk to guests/customers
Identify new items available on
menus/drink lists
Note ‘product returns’
Note workplace advertising & displays
Talk with other staff
Observe guests/customers
Slide 100
Develop & maintain product knowledge
in line with job role & responsibilities
Research needs a focus as to what is required & why it is
required – ways to achieve this:
Speak to guests when they have finished a drink/meal
Distribute ‘Customer Comment’ cards
Encourage use of online feedback
Talk to customers during meal/experience
Observe guest/customer reaction to
food/drinks/service
Slide 101
Develop & maintain product knowledge
in line with job role & responsibilities
Develop & maintain product knowledge in relation to:
Current market trends
Local area products
Seasonal produce
Enterprise menus & specials
Enterprise trends
Promotional activities
Slide 102
Develop & maintain product knowledge
in line with job role & responsibilities
Make sure you share any new/updated F&B product
knowledge you identify – this can be done through:
Informal sharing:
• Talking & telling; answering
questions
Formal sharing:
• At staff meeting & briefings
• Through handouts
Slide 103
Identify features of specific F&B which
have potential customer appeal
You need to identify F&B features so you can:
Meet customer expectations
Optimise sales
Enhance customer experience
Increase chance of repeat & referral business
Meet management expectations
Demonstrate customer-focus
Slide 104
Identify features of specific F&B which
have potential customer appeal
Focus on the following:
Relationship between food & beverages
Knowledge of specific foods
Knowledge of specific beverages
Local products
Workplace menus, specials & trends
Slide 105
Identify features of specific F&B which
have potential customer appeal
Regarding the relationship between specific foods &
beverages:
Identify food & drinks which work well together
Aim to be able to recommend at least one
beverage for each menu item
List beverage matches on menu?
Create a list of beverage matches to put behind bar?
Slide 106
Identify features of specific F&B which
have potential customer appeal
Knowledge of specific foods must:
Cover all menus for all sessions, days & times
Embrace all the characteristics of every dish listed on
the menu – such as:
• Taste, aroma & serve size
Slide 107
Identify features of specific F&B which
have potential customer appeal
Knowledge about beverages should address:
Alcohol strength, country of origin and price
Taste and colour
Special characteristics
Prizes, awards, medals and trophies
Vintage of wines
Uses
Slide 108
Identify features of specific F&B which
have potential customer appeal
Local products:
May be regional or national
Can include:
• Beers, wines, spirits, drinks
Slide 109
Identify features of specific F&B which
have potential customer appeal
Knowledge about local products must cover:
Name and characteristics
Growers, producers and providers - and location
Packages available for sale to public
Customs restrictions
Cost
How to use or consume
Local popularity
Growth and the basics of production
Slide 110
Identify features of specific F&B which
have potential customer appeal
Facts to know about menu items:
Serve size and taste
Fresh or frozen
Ingredients
Time to prepare or ‘ready to serve’ immediately
Ingredients
Cooking style
Cultural and dietary suitability
Slide 111
Identify features of specific F&B which
have potential customer appeal
Find out the following about ‘Specials’:
Items available as part of the Special/deal/package
When it starts and finishes
Cost
Who is eligible
Why it is ‘special’
Slide 112
Identify features of specific F&B which
have potential customer appeal
Knowledge about local or venue trends can be used to:
Make recommendations
Engage with guests
Demonstrate professionalism
Find out more about emerging trends
Slide 113
Summary – Element 1
When obtaining product information on F&B:
Be proactive in finding relevant information
Do internal and external research to obtain facts,
figures and product knowledge
Undertake formal and informal research activities
Learn about the different courses, dishes and
ingredients used
(Continued)
Slide 114
Summary – Element 1
Learn about cooking times, styles, specialist items,
national dishes and signature dishes
Be able to name all the food and drinks served and
their ingredients
Learn about beers, wines, spirits, liqueurs and non-
alcoholic drinks
Learn about service options for F&B items
(Continued)
Slide 115
Summary – Element 1
Taste test items
Determine specific F&B knowledge you need
for your job role and learn that first
Read all internal documentation – menus,
drink and wine lists, job descriptions, training
materials
Share new knowledge with other staff
Spend time learning about special features which have
the potential to interest and be attractive to tourists and
visitors
Slide 116
Element 2 - Provide customers with
relevant F&B product knowledge
Performance Criteria for this Element are:
Offer advice on suitable combinations of foods and
beverages where appropriate
Provide assistance to customers on selection of F&B
items
Respond courteously and authoritatively to customer
questions in relation to menus and drink lists
Provide advice on menu items that reflect the special
dietary or cultural requirements of customers
Slide 117
Offer advice on suitable
combinations of F&B
Many customers require help on F&B combinations – this
may be provided:
In response to questions
When serving – at table or bar
When ‘greeting and seating’
In public areas
When delivering room service
In retail outlets
Slide 118
Offer advice on suitable
combinations of F&B
You must ask questions before making recommendations:
Alcoholic or non-alcoholic?
Just for themselves or to share with others?
What sort of wine – red or white? Still or sparkling?
What food have they chosen?
Local product?
New taste experience?
Slide 119
Offer advice on suitable
combinations of F&B
When making recommendations:
Never say to customers:
• “I don’t know”, or
• “I don’t drink”
Realise you are only making suggestions and guests
are not obliged to accept what you recommend
Slide 120
Offer advice on suitable
combinations of F&B
Suggestions for matching wine with Western food:
Food Wine
Seafood Semillon, sauvignon blanc, riesling
Game Cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, chardonnay,
semillon
Red meat Cabernet merlot, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz,
malbec
Poultry Chardonnay, chenin blanc, verdelho
Salads Chenin blanc, verdelho, chardonnay, riesling
Antipasto Chardonnay, rosé
Pasta Chardonnay, riesling, shiraz
Cheese platters Cabernet merlot
Desserts Dessert wines
Slide 121
Offer advice on suitable
combinations of F&B
Matching Asian food with wine:
Steer away from strong-flavoured reds
White wines generally provide a better
match than red wines
Try to ‘complement’ the food – not ‘contrast’ it
Slide 122
Offer advice on suitable
combinations of F&B
‘Complementing’ means suggesting a wine to harmonise
with the selected food:
White wine with white meat
Red wine with red meat
Reds with cheese
Delicate with delicate
Full-bodied with full-bodied
Sweet with sweet
Slide 123
Offer advice on suitable
combinations of F&B
‘Contrasting’:
Selecting a wine which stands distinctly different to the
food
Seeks to highlight difference –
rather than ‘harmonise’ food and
wine
Try to learn which styles of wine contrast well with
certain styles of food
Taste test to assist your learning
Slide 124
Provide assistance to customers
on selection of F&B
When providing assistance on F&B selection:
Be honest and accurate
Speak clearly, confidently and audibly
Be alert to every chance to do so:
• Be proactive
• If in doubt – ask
Slide 125
Provide assistance to customers
on selection of F&B
Drink/beverage advice may be given:
When patrons are undecided or unsure
The ordered drink is not available
On special occasions
When a new product is in stock
When customer feels ‘off colour’
When they are eating
If they do not want alcohol or much alcohol
Slide 126
Provide assistance to customers
on selection of F&B
Ask questions before recommending beverages:
Hot or cold?
Alcoholic or non-alcoholic?
Beer, wine or a mixed drink?
Cocktail?
Red or white wine?
Bottle or can or just a glass?
Slide 127
Provide assistance to customers
on selection of F&B
Information when providing assistance on selection of
beverages can include:
Taste, colour and aroma
Imported or domestic
Options for consumption
Alcoholic strength
Size of drink, can or bottle
Special points or characteristics
Slide 128
Provide assistance to customers
on selection of F&B
When advising about food:
Make it sound appealing but be honest
Be prepared to suggest or advise on:
• Soups, fish, roast, vegetables, sauces and Specials
of the day
• Signature dishes
Take notes when the pre-service briefing takes place
Slide 129
Provide assistance to customers
on selection of F&B
Provide other assistance too:
Carrying their drinks
Helping with their children
Getting them some reading material
Helping with luggage
Opening doors
Phoning a taxi
Obtaining something ‘extra’
Slide 130
Respond to customer questions in
relation to menus and drink lists
When responding to questions:
Answer:
• Courteously, accurately and honestly
Talk:
• Clearly, confidently and loud enough
Slide 131
Respond to customer questions in
relation to menus and drink lists
Plan your answers to customer questions:
Many questions from customers can be
predicted
There is a need to plan and prepare
answers to these
So they help distinguish your venue
from the competition
Realise questions do not indicate rudeness or stupidity
Slide 132
Respond to customer questions in
relation to menus and drink lists
When responding to questions remember:
It is part of your job
Questions are not an interruption to
your work
Never indicate the questions are ‘silly’
Customers use questions to enhance their dining
experience
Slide 133
Respond to customer questions in
relation to menus and drink lists
Strategy for responding to questions:
Be polite
Respond promptly
Never give a negative impression
Smile
Give customers your full attention
Spend the required amount of time
Ensure information provided is understood
Slide 134
Respond to customer questions in
relation to menus and drink lists
If you do not know the answer to a question:
Apologise
Tell them you do not know the answer
Tell them you will find out
Do so
Report back to them
Never:
Lie or make it up
Ignore the question
Slide 135
Provide advice that reflects special
requirements of customers
Special requests from customers can relate to:
Timing issues
Cultural issues
Dietary requirements
Personal preferences
How steaks are cooked
Entrées as main courses and MCs as entrées
Slide 136
Provide advice that reflects special
requirements of customers
Special requests can relate to dietary issues:
Vegetarian requests:
• Lacto-ova or Ova-lacto vegetarians
• Lacto-vegetarians
• Pescatarians
• Vegans
(Continued)
Slide 137
Provide advice that reflects special
requirements of customers
Low-salt foods
Low or no-sugar meals
Lactose-reduced milk
Gluten-free menu items
Macrobiotic foods
Slide 138
Provide advice that reflects special
requirements of customers
Always treat requests/food orders with extra care and
attention if guest mentions they have special needs in
relation to:
Allergies
Medications
Health-related conditions
Specific diets
Slide 139
Provide advice that reflects special
requirements of customers
When dealing with special requests involving heath-related
issues:
Check with kitchen or management before taking order
Ensure those preparing the food understand
the requirement or health issue
Double-check when you pick up the dish it
has been prepared as required
Check you have appropriate emergency responses in
place if something goes wrong
Slide 140
Provide advice that reflects special
requirements of customers
You may need to respond to cultural food-related requests
from:
Jewish guests
Muslim guests
Hindu guests
Slide 141
Provide advice that reflects special
requirements of customers
Degrees of ‘doneness’ of steak:
Blue
Rare
Medium-rare
Medium to Well Done
Well Done
Slide 142
Summary – Element 2
When providing customers with relevant F&B product
knowledge:
Slide 143
Summary – Element 2
When recommending wines consider the ‘complement’
or ‘contrast’ approach
Use product knowledge as the basis for information or
help provided
Try to obtain first-hand knowledge about the food
and beverages you serve – try to taste test everything
Determine the specials before each service session –
from the kitchen
(Continued)
Slide 144
Summary – Element 2
Be alert to the potential to provide extra service when
providing customers with F&B product knowledge
Respond to questions and queries in a courteous and
honest manner
Always tell the truth about the items you recommend –
tell the ‘bad’ as well as the ‘good’
Prepare for questions from customers – try to determine
the questions they might ask and plan a suitable
response
(Continued)
Slide 145
Summary – Element 2
Never say “I don’t know” or “It’s not my job”
Be very careful when responding to food queries
relating to health, diet or medical issues
Always check with the kitchen before taking a special
food order
Make sure the kitchen understands the requirements
for any special food requests you place with them
Slide 146