Moods and Foods

Do your staff know the foods that match the moods of your clientele?

In a restaurant full of people, you will positively have a wide variety of emotional circumstances dining at your tables. But there is no flag, no neon sign to tell your staff what people are dealing with.  Here are a number of reasons that people go out for dinner that may NOT be obvious at first.

1.  Devastating news - illness, a death in the family, a break up

2. A solemn anniversary or remembrance occasion

3. Home loss, damage, repairs, renovation

4. Counselling a friend

5. Loneliness or depression


Then there are the obvious reasons like: dates, happy celebrations, meeting friends, and of course...TGIF. Everyone eats out on Fridays after work, especially take-out. But people also eat out when they are too tired or mentally stressed to cook. Or when they are barely hanging on and just want to be in the company of people.

So, when it comes to suggesting comfort food for someone who is quiet, has signs of crying or slumped shoulders, would your staff suggest a pot pie, or minestrone soup? What about a hearty, filling lasagna. Or something else that is easy to take home and re-heat if they can't muster an appetite.

A boisterous group of after work friends... shareable appetizers of course!

An adventurous pair of friends or an enthusiastic date... what about something exotic like quail or bison, or your daily special. Time to try something new.

Look at your menu and see what might fit. Talk with your staff at your next meeting. Let them know to be wary of moods and always let your guests take the lead. Some people will speak up and tell you what's going on in their lives, others will simply be silent. Sometimes people are in a rush, sometimes they don't want to be rushed. A server worth his/her salt will tune in to the subtle signs and give your guests what they need.