1.

Greeting and Seating a Guest

1.1 Seating the guest

* Good (evening), madam. Good (evening), sir. A table for (2)?
* (In the case of regular guests, ask: Would you like to sit at the same table as
yesterday?) Please come with me and I’ll show you to (a / the) table.
* Is this table to your liking?
Yes: * Would you care to take a seat, (name)?
* Allow me, (name) (when pulling back a chair for the guest or when
unfolding the napkin).

2. Taking a Food Order – Set Menu

2.1 Taking the Order for a Set Menu

* (After taking the drinks order:) Here’s your menu, madam ... Here’s your menu, sir.

Set Menu: * Today we have a special set menu.

Talk about the dishes. Compliment them. For example:

* The appetizer is … I’ve tried it already and I can highly recommend it.
It’s quite delicious.
* The main course is … It’s also very good. I highly recommend it.
It has an amazing taste.
* For dessert there’s … It’s irresistible.
It’s to die for.
It’s so good.
It’s wonderful!

3. Taking a Food Order – A La Carte

3.1 When you return to a table to take the order

* Are you ready to order? Or:
* Would you like to order now? Or:
* May I take your order now?

3.2 When the guest is not ready to order

* I’m sorry, (sir). There’s no hurry. Or:
* I’m sorry, (sir). I’ll come back for your order when you’re ready. Or:
* I’m sorry, (sir). I’ll come back for your order in a moment.

When a guest apologizes for ordering slowly

* It’s no problem, (sir). Please take your time.

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3.3 When the guest calls you first to order
* Yes, (madam). / Certainly, (madam).
* What would you like to start with?
* Excellent choice. That’s so good.

3.4 Getting more information

* How would you like your (name of meat) cooked?
* What kind of (bread / sauce) would you like?
* And for you, (sir)?
* And for your main course?
* Would you prefer (...) or (...)?

3.5 Finding out what a guest likes before recommending

* Would you care for something (light / spicy)?
* Would you prefer a snack or a meal / Thai or Western food?

When the guest does not know what to have:

* We have some excellent soups. I highly recommend the … Many guests have
complimented it.
No: * I also recommend the … I’ve tried it and it tastes very good.

* We also have some delicious salads. I recommend the … It’s very tasty.
* Would you like to try one of our delicious (salads / pasta dishes / fish dishes)?

* For your main course, would you prefer fish, meat, … or pasta?
* May I recommend the …?

3.6 Making suggestions and recommendations

* May I recommend the (...)?
* May I suggest the (...)?
* I recommend the (...).
* Would you like to try the (...)?
* Perhaps you would like to try the (...).
* Would you prefer (name of dish) or (name of dish)?
* If you like (strong flavours), I recommend the (name of dish).

Recommendation + description + positive comment

* May I recommend the (Tom Yam Goong)? It's a (spicy sweet and sour soup
with shrimps, and flavoured with lemon grass). It’s very tasty.
* Perhaps you'd like to try the (Mediterranean style Gaspacho soup). It's (a chilled
raw tomato soup). It's very popular.

Upselling:
* May I suggest an appetizer? We have fresh (name of dish) from (country).
* Would you like to have (...) with your (name of dish)?
* Would you care for some wine with your meal?

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 The following may be useful on certain occasions:
* May I suggest our special dish of the day? Today we’re featuring (baked
salmon served with …).
* Our Chef’s special dish today is (name of dish).
* We are offering a special promotion today, which is (describe it).
* We are having a special promotion of (...) this week.
* We are celebrating (name of the festival), and so we are offering a special menu.
* We have a special (name of festival) menu this week. (These dishes are
traditionally eaten during this festival).

3.7 Saying something positive about the food

* This is a very popular dish.
* It's very popular.
* It's delicious.
* It's excellent.
* It's very tasty.
* I’m sure you will enjoy it.
* People often say it's delicious.

3.8 Explaining dishes

3.8.1 Methods of cooking
braised baked roast(ed)
grilled/broiled stewed poached
deep fried sauteed (double-) boiled steamed
smoked hot pot a Steam Boat simmer
* It’s braised with (...) and then served with (...).
* It’s marinated in (...) and comes with (...).

3.8.2 Degree of flavour Tastes Flavours

quite (mild) rich spicy/hot
extra (spicy) creamy sweet
very (hot) thick sour
fairly (peppery) strong salty
mild peppery light
savoury
tasty
appetizing

3.8.3 Useful expressions to describe food

* It’s a kind of (fish soup).
* It’s made from (...).
* It’s served with (...).
* It’s laced with (Cognac).
* It’s garnished with (...).
* It’s stuffed with (...).
* It’s flavoured with (...).
* It’s seasoned with (...).
* It’s accompanied by (...).
* It’s a traditional (delicacy / dish) of (...).
* It’s a (traditional) Chinese delicacy.

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3.9 Talking about the food preparation time
* It takes about (25) minutes to prepare this dish. Do you mind waiting?

3.10 Explaining portions

* This dish is enough for (2) people.

3.11 MSG (Mono-sodium glutamate) disclaimer

* No MSG is used in our food.
* We don’t put any MSG in our food.

3.12 Finishing the order-taking process

* So that’s (...) (repeat the order).
* Will that be all? Or:
* Is there anything else I can bring you?
* Thank you very much for your order. (I will serve your appetizer in about
[10] minutes.