While service for a formal dinner party requires a certain etiquette that will dictate how the table can be cleared, wait service for an informal dinner party is a lot less restrictive. However, due to the size of the party and the number of plates that can be generated, an organized plan of action is essential to ensure that the flow of the party is maximized. The following tips can be implemented for any size sit down meal event, as long as the dinner is not too formal.
Station Organization
Before the party, set up the following stations to assist in the processing of the plates and flatware.
1. Soaking station: use inexpensive dishpans (about $1 at Walmart) filled with warm, soapy water. Have one dishpan for plates, one dishpan for flatware and one dishpan for glasses. These dishpans should be set near the sink and dishwasher.
2. Trash station: set up a garbage can with a liner bag near the soaking station. This can will be used to deposit all food waste prior to placing the plates in the dishpans.
3. Wash station: simply stated, this station is your dishwasher. If the host does not have access to an automatic dishwasher, a sink and drying station will be needed to replace it.
Process and System for Clearing
- It is best to employ two or three people for this task. One person will be the Clearer and the other two people will be the Bus Persons.
- The Clearer will approach the table and remove the dirty dishes, glasses and flatware to an empty dishpan being held by a bus person. Once that dishpan is filled, the Bus Person will take it to the soaking/trash/wash station, while the second Bus Person replaces him at the table. In this method, the Clearer always has a Bus Person assisting him or her at the table.
- When the Bus Person returns to the station area with a filled dishpan, he or she will scrape the plates into the trash station, and then separate them into the appropriate dishpans to soak. Then this Bus Person will return to the table to assist the Clearer.
- Once the entire table is cleared, the Clearer and both Bus Persons will work together at the station area to load the automatic dishwasher or to hand wash the dirty items.
- If the dinner event is super informal, each guest may feel comfortable in bringing his plates, flatware and glass in to the station area. The Bus Persons can man the stations to collect the plates from the guests and let them get back to the merrymaking.
HOL101
Janice Benoit - I'm Janice Benoit and I live in suburban Chicago. I have worked in most facets of the hospitality industry -- from hotel front desk to ...
