'Correct' serving?

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Madeleine

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We have mostly 2-top tables. We do have one 4-top. Most of the time this does not come up, but when it does there is generally a scuffle in the kitchen. :smile:
Here's the set-up- 2 guests sit at the 4-top. A few minutes later 2 guests sit at a 2-top. A few minutes later 2 guests join the 2 at the 4-top (not traveling together).
So, proper serving is what? Serve them in the order they sat down? Serve the 2 at the 2-top first and then the 4 at the 4-top? Serve the 4 at the 4-top and then the 2-top?
 
I'd probably serve them in the order they arrived and then say to the other couple, "Good Morning, we're working on your breakfast and will have it out shortly." If you server the 2-top last, they're likely to question why the others got served first when clearly they were there before them.
 
Not sure why you would think of any other than first come first serve?
 
I agree with the others. First come, first served, especially if they're not traveling together.
 
first come first served - its that simple though I would make some acknowledgement - ie we will have your breakfast out to your shortly blah blah
 
Here's why the question... I would have served the 2-top first as the 4-top were happily chatting (and explained to them we would serve them together). We served FCFS and the 2 at the 4-top sat there with their food getting cold waiting for the other 2 to be served. Finally, the last arriving couple said, 'Please eat, don't wait for us.'
I find it makes for an awkward table to have one couple eating while the other couple is sitting there waiting 20 minutes for their food to come.
It's not like it's plated and ready to go, it all has to be cooked.
 
I see the issue, guess you may need to weigh the situation next time. I would not see the harm in serving the two top first, if there is not a large span in time between when each were seated and when served.
How many times have you been at a restaurant and people came in after you were served before you? We see this a lot, I understand that it is different from a restaurant as you are serving the same meal to every guest. But it still happens and if there is not a large time laps between being served it should not be an issue.
The thing to think about is watching how it plays out, if the 2 couples at the 4 top do not engage in conversation with each other, I don't think it would matter the order of being served.
This happened occasionally when we had a large family type dining set up. In that set up there is no way to serve everyone together.
 
If they don't know each other it should be fine, but you never know how people will act. I have eaten at family style restaurants where you sit with strangers and you don't all wait for one serving. So that is how I would handle it, unless they sat down CLOSE to the same time, then of course, all at once. Picture a breakfast counter at a diner. That is my theory...
 
If they don't know each other it should be fine, but you never know how people will act. I have eaten at family style restaurants where you sit with strangers and you don't all wait for one serving. So that is how I would handle it, unless they sat down CLOSE to the same time, then of course, all at once. Picture a breakfast counter at a diner. That is my theory....
Joey Bloggs said:
Picture a breakfast counter at a diner. That is my theory...
I'm picturing they're seated at the same booth...
Everyone was fine. It all worked out. It was just awkward while they waited. They kept talking and were still all sitting talking when the entire breakfast was over. (Parents who just attended their daughter's wedding sitting with guests about the same age as their daughter. Sweet.)
 
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