Objectives of the Study

Following the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify the meaning of words and terms used in serving food and beverages.
  2. Pronounce the words and terms clearly and correctly.
  3. Use appropriate expressions when taking and serving food and beverage orders.

A. Vocabulary Building

The following activities are designed to build your vocabulary mastery, especially in serving food and beverages.

Matching Game

Draw an arrow to connect the correct English word to its Indonesian equivalent!

English TermIndonesian Term
AppetizerMinuman 
BeverageHidangan pembuka 
Main courseHidangan utama 
DessertMakanan penutup 
Gluten-freeTanpa gluten 
Nut allergyAlergi kacang 
On the sideDi sisi/terpisah 
Special requestPermintaan khusus 
SubstitutePengganti 
Medium rareSetengah matang 
Well doneMatang 
PortionPorsi 
Combo mealPaket makanan 
A la carteAla carte (pesanan satuan) 

Listening and Pronouncing Practice

Play the audio of the following words by scanning the QR Code. Then, practice pronouncing them correctly as you hear them from the audio.

  1. Appetizer /ˈæpɪtaɪzər/
  2. Beverage /ˈbevərɪdʒ/
  3. Main course /meɪn kɔːrs/
  4. Dessert /dɪˈzɜːrt/
  5. Gluten-free /ˈɡluːtn friː/
  6. Nut allergy /nʌt ˈælərdʒi/
  7. On the side /ɒn ðə saɪd/
  8. Special request /ˈspeʃl rɪˈkwest/
  9. Substitute /ˈsʌbstɪtuːt/
  10. Medium rare /ˈmiːdiəm reə(r)/
  11. Well done /wel dʌn/
  12. Portion /ˈpɔːrʃn/
  13. Combo meal /ˈkɒmbəʊ miːl/
  14. A la carte /ˌɑː lə ˈkɑːrt/

B. Procedure in Serving Food and Beverages

ProcedureLanguage Function
Greeting the guestsGreeting the customer politely
Taking the orderOffering assistance and asking for preferences
Confirming the orderRepeating the order to avoid mistakes
Serving food and beveragesOffering the dish, expressing politeness
Handling special requestsAcknowledging and confirming special dietary requirements
Responding to complaintsExpressing apologies and proposing solutions
Clearing the tableAsking permission and thanking the customer
Presenting the billInforming politely and offering assistance with payment
FarewellThanking and wishing a good day/night

C. Manner

A person with a green shirt Description automatically generatedRULES OF MANNERS

When serving food and beverages, it is essential to follow proper etiquette. Below are some key rules of manners:

  • Maintain eye contact and smile when greeting customers.
  • Speak politely and use professional language, avoiding slang or casual phrases.
  • Be attentive to the customer’s needs and preferences without being intrusive.
  • Handle food and beverages with care to ensure cleanliness and avoid spills.
  • Always prioritize special dietary requests or allergies, ensuring customers feel valued.
  • If a mistake occurs, apologize sincerely and rectify the situation promptly.
  • Avoid discussing personal matters with colleagues in front of customers.

TAKING ORDERS

  • Politely greet the customer and ask how you can assist them:
    “Good evening, welcome to [restaurant name]. May I take your order?”
  • Confirm the order to avoid errors:
    “You’ve ordered the grilled salmon with a side of vegetables and sparkling water, correct?”
  • If a customer requests a modification:
    “Certainly, we can prepare that dish gluten-free for you.”

SERVING FOOD AND BEVERAGES

  • Announce the dish as you serve it:
    “Here’s your steak cooked medium rare, and your side salad. Enjoy your meal!”
  • Refill beverages or offer additional assistance during the meal:
    “Would you like a refill of your drink?”

ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND RESPONDING TO COMPLAINTS

  • For questions about the menu:
    “The pasta is made fresh daily and served with a rich tomato sauce.”
  • If the customer is dissatisfied:
    “I’m very sorry to hear that. Let me take this back to the kitchen and prepare a new dish for you right away.”

D. Samples of Conversation

A group of people with speech bubbles Description automatically generatedAudio is available for each of the following conversations. Please listen to the audio and practice them with your partner!

Sample 1
Situation: A guest orders dinner from their cabin.

Waiter      : Good evening. This is Room Service on Oceanic Cruise. How can I help you?

Guest        : Good evening. I would like to order dinner to my cabin, please.

Waiter      : Sure. What would you like?

Guest        : I’ll have the grilled salmon with a side of steamed vegetables and mashed                                         potatoes.

Waiter      : Okay. Grilled salmon, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Any drink?

Guest        : Yes, a glass of white wine.

Waiter      : Got it. Would you like dessert?

Guest        : No dessert, thank you.

Waiter      : Noted. Your meal will arrive in 30 minutes. Is that okay?

Guest        : Perfect. Thank you.

Waiter      : Thank you, and enjoy your meal!

Read the questions carefully and write your best answer!

  1. What is the conversation about?
  2. What did the guest order for dinner?
  3. Did the guest request dessert?
  4. How long will it take for the meal to arrive?
  5. What drink did the guest choose?

Sample 2

Situation: A group of friends dines at the main restaurant on the cruise ship.

Waiter      : Good evening. Welcome to Seaview Restaurant. Can I get your order?

Friend 1    : Hello! Can we start with a shared appetizer? The seafood platter looks good.

Waiter      : Great choice. And for your main courses?

Friend 2    : I’ll have the beef steak, medium rare.

Friend 3    : I want the vegetarian pasta, please.

Waiter      : Noted. Any beverages?

Friend 1    : A bottle of sparkling water for the table, please.

Waiter      : Perfect. Would you like to see the dessert menu now?

Friend 3    : We’ll decide later, thank you.

Waiter      : Alright. Your order will be ready shortly. Enjoy your evening!

Read the questions carefully and write your best answer!

  1. What is the conversation about?
  2. What appetizer did the group order?
  3. How did Friend 2 want their steak cooked?
  4. What main course did Friend 3 order?
  5. What beverage did they request for the table?

Sample 3
Situation: A family with dietary restrictions dines at the cruise buffet.

Waiter      : Hello! Welcome to the International Buffet. How can I assist you?

Parent       : Hi. My child has a nut allergy. Are there dishes safe for them?

Waiter      : Yes, we have labels with allergens on all dishes. The grilled chicken, plain rice, and steamed broccoli are nut-free.

Parent       : Great. Do you have gluten-free bread?

Waiter      : Yes, it’s near the salad bar. Shall I bring some to your table?

Parent       : That would be helpful. Thank you.

Waiter      : You’re welcome. Anything else I can assist with?

Parent       : No, that’s all for now. Thanks!

Read the questions carefully and write your best answer!

  1. What is the conversation about?
  2. What allergy does the child have?
  3. Which dishes are nut-free?
  4. Where can gluten-free bread be found?
  5. What assistance did the waiter offer?

PLACING ORDERS ON HOLD

  • If a customer needs time to decide:
    “Take your time, and I’ll return shortly to take your order.”
  • Regularly check on customers to ensure their needs are met:
    “Is everything to your liking? Can I get you anything else?”

E. Check Your Understanding

A clipboard with a task list Description automatically generatedPlease do the following exercises to confirm your understanding. When you have difficulties, please ask your teacher.

Create Your Conversation

Create a conversation based on the following situations:

  1. A family orders lunch in their cabin on a cruise.
  2. The parents request pasta and grilled chicken, while the child asks for a kid’s meal with fries.
  3. They want sparkling water and apple juice as beverages.
  4. A couple dines at a specialty restaurant on a cruise.
  5. The couple orders a seafood platter to share, steak for one partner, and a vegetarian dish for the other.
  6. They want a bottle of white wine.
  7. For dessert, they ask for a fruit platter and tiramisu.
  8. A solo traveler requests special accommodations at the buffet.
  9. The traveler asks about gluten-free and nut-free options.
  10. They prefer rice and fish dishes, with a fruit salad for dessert.
  11. The traveler also asks for assistance with finding a table close to the window.

Conversation Example Based on Situation 1

Waiter      : Good afternoon. This is Room Service. How can I help you?

Guest        : Good afternoon. We’d like to order lunch to our cabin, please.

Waiter      : Sure. What would you like to order?

Guest        : For us, pasta with tomato sauce and grilled chicken. For our child, a kid’s meal with fries.

Waiter      : Noted. Any drinks?

Guest        : Sparkling water for us and apple juice for the child.

Waiter      : Got it. Anything else?

Guest        : No, that’s all.

Waiter      : Your total is $25, and it will arrive in 30 minutes. Thank you!

Guest        : Thank you!

Conversation Example Based on Situation 2

Waiter      : Good evening. Welcome to Neptune’s Table. What can I get for you?

Guest 1     : Good evening. We’d like to start with a seafood platter to share.

Waiter      : Great choice. And for the main course?

Guest 1     : I’ll have the steak, medium rare.

Guest 2     : I’ll take the vegetarian pasta.

Waiter      : Excellent. Would you like any drinks?

Guest 1     : A bottle of white wine, please.

Waiter      : Certainly. Would you like dessert as well?

Guest 2     : Yes, a fruit platter and tiramisu, please.

Waiter      : Perfect. I’ll bring your order shortly. Enjoy your meal!

Conversation Example Based on Situation 3

Waiter      : Hello! Welcome to the International Buffet. How can I assist you?

Guest        : Hi. I have gluten and nut allergies. Are there safe options for me?

Waiter      : Yes, the rice, grilled fish, and steamed vegetables are gluten-free and nut-free.

Guest        : Great. I’ll have those, and a fruit salad for dessert.

Waiter      : Noted. Would you like assistance finding a table?

Guest        : Yes, I’d like a table by the window, if possible.

Waiter      : Of course. I’ll prepare your meal and find a table for you. Enjoy your visit!

F. Summary

A question mark and a question mark Description automatically generatedIn this chapter, we are studying the following language functions and expressions for serving food and beverages on a cruise line:

Language FunctionsLanguage Expressions
GreetingHello! Welcome! Good evening!
Offering HelpHow can I assist you? What would you like to order?
Confirming the OrderLet me confirm: you ordered ____.
Handling Dietary RestrictionsWe have gluten-free/nut-free options available.
Expressing ApologiesSorry for the inconvenience. We’ll fix it right away.
Expressing GratitudeThank you for your order. Thanks for dining with us.
FarewellHave a great evening! Enjoy your meal!