The Children’s Order Standard
Five steps for in-room orders that include a child’s meal. Parents judge it on two things: how soon the plate arrives, and how safe the tray is once it is down.
- Who
- Order takers, runners and the chef at the pass
- When
- Any in-room dining order that includes a meal for a child
- You need
- Children’s menu, allergies in the profile, child cutlery, a lidded beaker
- Measured by
- Child’s age and allergies asked on the call
- Child’s plate sent first if asked
- No hot pot or knife on the child’s side
5 steps
01
Ask the parent
Take the child’s order from the parent, even when the child is on the line. Ask the child’s age and about any allergy, and write both at the top of the ticket before the first dish.
Say this
“May I ask how old your child is, and whether there is anything they can’t eat?”
Common mistake Taking the whole order from an excited six-year-old. Chips and ice cream go to the kitchen, and the parent finds out at the door.
02
Adjust the plate
Offer the changes children often need: sauce on the side, food cut into small pieces, no chilli or black pepper, a smaller portion. Ask which ones apply, then write them on the ticket in plain words.
Say this
“Would you like the chicken cut into small pieces, with the sauce on the side?”
Common mistake Sending the adult dish at half size. The pepper sauce and the pink centre are still on the plate.
03
Time it first
Ask whether the child should eat first. If so, quote a separate, earlier time for the child’s plate (our target is 20 minutes), fire it first, and send it up as soon as it is ready.
Say this
“The pasta for your son can be with you at 19:20, and your dinner at 19:35. Shall we do that?”
Common mistake Holding the child’s pasta until the steaks are ready. The child is asleep or in tears by the time it arrives.
04
Set up safely
Put the child’s plate at the far side of the table from hot pots and knives, with a lidded beaker, child cutlery and extra napkins. Place hot drinks by an adult, with the pot handle turned inward.
Say this
“I’ll put the teapot on your side, Mrs Haddad, and the juice here for Layla.”
Common mistake Leaving the coffee pot on the near edge of a low trolley. The first thing a toddler does is reach.
05
Note it
After delivery, write the child’s age, allergy and what they ate to the guest profile. The next order, tomorrow or on the next stay, should not need the same questions asked again.
Say this
“Child, 5 · no dairy · plain pasta, cut small · juice in beaker”
Common mistake Asking about the dairy allergy every night of a week’s stay. The parents start to wonder what else was forgotten.
The Child’s Tray
Twelve checks for any tray that carries a child’s meal. Read them at the pass, before the cover goes on and the runner leaves the kitchen.
- Child’s age and allergies on the ticket
- Allergy dish marked and kept apart
- No chilli or black pepper unless asked
- Food cut small if the parent asked
- Sauce in a separate dish
- Child’s plate warm, not hot
- Lidded beaker for drinks
- Child cutlery, no steak knife
- Extra napkins and a wet towel
- Hot pots set on the adult’s side
- Child’s plate timed as agreed
- Profile updated after delivery
Read the list at a shift briefing on day one, then two lines a day for a week. The chef checks every child’s tray at the pass against it, and the supervisor reviews the child notes in the profiles each Friday.
The Standards Library.
No. 65 · In-Room Dining
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Five steps for delivering a cake, amenity or surprise to a room. Most go wrong on timing: the cake arrives just as the person it should surprise opens the door.
No. 66 · In-Room Dining
The In-Suite Dining Standard
Five steps for a full dinner served course by course in a suite or villa. For one evening the room is the restaurant, and one server is the whole dining room.