Laying Restaurant Tables

How tables are laid is the first impression that your customers have of your standards so it is vital, whether your restaurant is high end or casual dining, that tables are laid with care and attention to detail. Food service operators are increasingly facing pressure to allocate time for training new team members, and using this module supports quick internal job training processes by developing knowledge and understanding and allowing people to learn at their own pace. Together we create confident and professional team members!

While restaurants tables are styled differently, the module uses international hospitality best practice standards to examine various settings. As glassware is a specialist area in its own right, the module Preparing Glassware for Service should be used alongside this one.

This module considers cutlery recognition fundamentals as well as safe and hygienic handling and explores the importance of using professional techniques to polish cutlery.  Different plate sizes and their use are identified as well as hygiene and safety standards. The varying cloth sizes and presentation standards are considered along with the presentation of tables with no cloths!.

Maintaining personal hygiene standards is emphasised throughout.  Knowledge is built on how to lay a basic setting through to a traditional banqueting setting, laying starter cutlery and dessert cutlery. Each section encourages learners to have ideas on how they can improve and there is a downloadable action plan. An end quiz of 14 questions ensures key points are retained.

Key benefits:

• Create a professional impression to customers on arrival in the restaurant.
• Learn some key jargon terms
• Recognise different types of cutlery and what they are used for
• Handle cutlery and crockery safely and hygienically
• Know which size cloth to select for different table shape sand sizes
• Know how to check cloths are the correct standard to use
• Prepare unclothed tables correctly before laying cutlery
• Know how to lay simple and informal settings through to a full setting
• Feel confident in the process of laying tables