Final answer:
When handling meal timing in a campus restaurant where guests order salads, appetizers, and entrees, the server must confirm their dining pace preference, the time they have available, and a specific leaving time if applicable.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a guest orders salads, appetizers (appies), and entrees, as a server in a campus restaurant, it's crucial to manage meal timing effectively to ensure a pleasant dining experience. Timing is especially important between classes when students are concerned about time constraints and the opportunity to eat as a group. To handle meal timing, the server should confirm with the guest:
- Their preference for the pacing of the meal - whether they'd like each course to be served immediately after finishing the previous one, or if they'd prefer a break between courses.
- The time available to dine - as students may have limited time between classes.
- Any specific time at which they need to leave - to ensure that they're finished in time for their next engagement.
In the scenario described, the timing concern suggests that students are there to eat rather than to study, given that they are checking their watches and it is not the usual lunch hour. The availability of a table that can accommodate all friends together without much delay is also a consideration in this dining environment.
When guests are seated, it is customary to place the napkin on their lap as soon as they sit down at the dining table. If guests are concerned about the timing, consider this as a signal to prioritize their order and speed up service where possible without sacrificing the quality of the meal or dining experience.