The video Seamless Transitions: Setting Up Tables for Appetizers has server tips for app service. It says to set tables up to receive apps by dropping off plates as soon as possible. So you don’t forget later when you’re busy.
Follow these tips in the video and you’ll be serving apps like a pro. Anticipate timing, tablescape quickly and guide the guest through a seamless progression from apps to entrees. Master these basics and you’ll wow your guests with great service flow from the start.
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Tablescaping 101: The Art of Appetizer Delivery
You sold the guest on starting their meal with your baked brie. Or the two-taco trio for happy hour. Good job, you appetizer tease. Now comes the execution.
With just minutes before small plates hit the table, the setup scramble begins. But serving apps smoothly is harder than it looks, especially when you’re juggling multiple courses. No big deal!
As a serial appetizer pusher and expert in seamless service flow, let me show you the pro way to make first courses pop.
1. Do Now, Not Later
The ticket just went back for calamari and stuffed mushrooms. New servers may look at their watch and think, “oh, I have plenty of time to get a table set up”. After all, apps take what – 10- or 15-minutes tops?
Don’t fall into this false sense of multi-tasking security! In the hospitality world, assuming you’ll get back to tables “in a few minutes” always backfires. Instead of getting back to what you promised, more demands fill the gap and pull you further behind.
Instead, adopt this mindset: If you have 60 seconds to spare NOW to do a task, do it.
For apps, that means as soon as the order prints, drop off the appropriate size appetizer plate onto the table. Every restaurant is different on dishes used, but most use separate smaller chargers or bread plates for first courses.
This way when the hot apps come up in 5 minutes, the plate is already waiting. No plate snatching from the bus tub required with guest awkwardly holding fork in hand.
Yes, dropping a couple of plates takes seconds now. But chaos can pop up anywhere. Table 12 spills red wine on new linen you’re changing out. Or a huge to go order demands your attention.
In the blink of an eye, you’ve lost control of actively setting. Don’t risk forgetting to table set. Take that small window when you can!
2. Pick Your Courses
New servers often default to soup as the easy app. After all, it requires almost no prep or plate dropping. Seamless, right?
Ehhh not quite. Serving soup means decision fatigue for the guest. Do they choose bread or soup first? Are you whisking away warm bowls too soon? Without intentional staging, eating soup among other courses is stressful.
Instead, you might suggest bite sized, fork friendly apps so guests have more control over portion pacing. Eat the calamari until the last tentacle then move on. Yum!
Shareable spreads also keep early courses rolling. Let guests graze on spinach-artichoke dip while continuing to chat, not forcing them to eat quickly.
And tell guests not to fill up too much if entrees are coming. Gentle reminder, but said with a smile! The key is to take the pressure off, so enjoyment stays front and center.
3. Serve Like Your Life Depends on It
Kitchen bells ring and your precious apps need to get to the table. Now or never time!
Don’t make multiple trips by loading up your forearms with plates stacked high and precarious. Surely those limping chicken wings toppling sideways won’t actually fall, right?
Take two trips or two thousand. Bring out each item intentionally, even enlist others to run food if needed. Presenting apps with flair makes them taste better somehow.
Equally important? Describe each dish as you serve, build anticipation.
“We have Korean BBQ wings hot off the grill with ginger-sesame glaze. And this burrata appetizer with roasted tomatoes and pistachio-basil pesto you spread on crispy crostini.”
Give those taste buds a high five!
4. Mid-Meal App Check-In
You’ve set up the apps like a pro. But the appetizer juggling act isn’t over yet.
Halfway through apps check in and see how they’re enjoying and if they’re still interested before you whisk those plates away too quickly. After all you can’t smear leftover pesto as well once the crostini cools!
“How’s the calamari and meatballs? Would you like me to bring out another round or are you ready to make room for your entrees coming your way next?”
This not only gives you a chance to offer add-ons or substitutions but also makes sure you’re not assuming they’re done too soon.
Remember, apps are the amuse-bouche. Let the diners fully indulge in this foreplay!
Of course, if the guests are clearly done and entrees are waiting to go out behind the line, then by all means clear, lovingly. Just don’t rush the process and risk killing appetites for anything else.
5. Tablescaping
Speaking of clearing, side hustle as a spatial coordinator during apps by intentionally keeping the place settings in order.
With multiple fork-and-knives per setting and water/wine glasses, that bread dish the bruschetta sat on is going to end up sideways by someone’s elbow.
Tame the chaos by putting plates and flatware back where they go when resetting. Group the apps together at the center or side of the table when clearing, too.
This means “mission accomplished” and you can reset for salad, soup or entrees. No one wants their seared tuna to arrive before they have tablespace!
So, relax as apps order in, new server! With these techniques you’ll be serving menu openers like a pro. Now pull up a crostini and let’s get this party started!
Got tips to add? Comment below!
