Menu & Beverage Merchandising 101 Towards Restaurant & Outlet Profitability Hotel & Restaurant Association of Baguio 6th Annual Hotel , Restaurant & Tourism Week Baguio Country Club, Baguio City BY: EVANGELINE PAYNO
To emphasize the importance of menu and beverage merchandising for restaurant profitability To equip students/attendees basic techniques for menu and beverage merchandising To help professional servers maximize their role in attaining an increased average check and outlet sales To orient students about effective menu and beverage sales presentation
1 hour session of lecture and discussion
In-House Selling or Upselling is one of the core competencies required from Service Professionals A server must aim to improve his communication skills since this is a necessary skill that will blend well with one’s ability to effectively sell
Is a form of promotion specially positioned at the point of sale. It is a way of stimulating captive customers to try some of the hotel’s/restaurant’s products and services
Attractive Transparencies in lobbies with excellent lighting for visual impact Posters displayed at foyers to elevators and elevator walls Dish Presentations displayed on counters Floor Stands displayed in strategic places to announce forthcoming events Thru the Restaurant’s Menu & Beverage List
Is a specific sales activity conducted by employees to enhance sales and guest satisfaction It has 3 Components 1. Special Promotions 2. Merchandising 3. Suggestive Selling
Requirements: Product Knowledge Good Customer Orientation Effective Sales Presentation
Manner of Preparation & Basic Ingredients Basic Preparation and ingredients used are usually mentioned when describing a dish like: “Chicken & Pork Adobo is described as“a flavorful combination of chicken and pork, simmered in vinegar and spices, served with rice and achara”
Preparation Time Guests should be informed of the preparation time to avoid unnecessary surprises and give consideration to guests who are in a hurry When orders take a long time to prepare, servers must take this opportunity to offer appetizers or drinks
Standard Portioning The size of a serving is usually measured in terms of weight, quantity etc. When a menu is a la carte, it means that the food is portioned for one serving or for one person. Family Serving or Lauriat is usually designed for a group of 4 to 5
Standard Accompaniments Sidings that accompany the dish The server must know what goes with a set meal and inform the guest right away It helps to mention the accompaniments for a more persuasive sales presentation “May i suggest a sizable serving of our Chef’s Special – a tender, juicy sirloin served with onion soup and side salad
Complementary Items Push for items that best complement a food ordered “May I Bring you a glass of red wine to complement your steak, Sir?” “Our consomme goes perfectly well with your Steak, shall I get you a portion Sir?”
Special Qualities of the Dish Effective Sales Presentation by highlighting the special qualities of the dish Uniqueness, Lower fat calorie content, tenderness, juiciness, freshness, portion size, etc “May I suggest a light, yet sumptuous meal for you sir? – A sizzling bean curd with vegetables, rich in nutrients but low in fat and cholesterol”
Beverage Refreshing Juice Light and Refreshing Cocktail Ice cold or Chilled Beer Nutritious and Refreshing fruit Juice Fascinating Drink of the Month Sugar-free baked cheesecake
Appetizers Fresh and appetizing kilawin tangigue Tender beef tapa Spicy gambas ajillo or shrimp cocktail Crispy fried spinach Light Serving of our famous Mango Prawns Delight
Soup Hot Steaming Soup of the Day Hot Creamy Mushroom Soup Special Consomme Soup
Salad Tossed, green or crisp symphony of baguio salad Our house specialty and favorite, the Caesar’s Salad Our light serving of Chef Salad
Main Course Fresh Seafoods Hot and Spicy Caldereta Our House Specialty, the Surf and Turf or what we call , Perfect Combo Sizable Serving of Crackling pork Perfectly grilled salmon / chilean seabass
Dessert Fresh papaya or fresh fruits in season Creamy Fruit Salad Refreshing Halohalo or Ice Cream Native Delicacy – leche flan or sapin sapin
Use words that appeal to the senses of: Sight – colour, freshness, wisp, steaming and tints Hearing – sizzling, crisp and crunchy Touch – soft, tender, smooth, thick, thin, hot, cold and chilled Smell – aromatic and fruity Taste – spicy, sweet, dry, delicious, yummy, tangy, chilly “Our creme of mushroom soup which is steaming vegetable stock smoothly thickened with flour, butter and garnished with wild mushrooms and a wisp of cream. Would you like to try it?
Use words that appeal to the senses “We recommend our crème of mushroom soup which is steaming vegetable stock smoothly thickened with flour, butter and garnished with wild mushrooms and a wisp of cream. Would you like to try it?” / May I order this for anybody at this table? May i suggest our house breakfast, which consists of 2 farm fresh eggs of your choice with crispy bacon, smooth-buttered mashed potatoes and grilled red tomato”
Be familiar with guests’ favorite drink and offer it before he orders “May I serve you a double shot of your favorite Remy Martin, sir? Beverage Sales can be pushed several times until the guest decides to leave. Once the glass is almost empty, Offer another round of drink “May I bring you another round of beer, Sir?”
Know and Describe the special qualities of the drink when asked. For instance, one can describe a Mangarita – “ a perfect blend of light rum and ripe mango” Offer drinks that best complement the food ordered. Know what wines will be a good accompaniment to steaks, fish, seafood etc
Offer aperitifs before the meal, red/white/rose wine as a complement to main course and cordials after the meal Use the right pronunciation when mentioning the drink When the drink ordered is out of stock, offer an appropriate substitute. When recommending drinks, start those items at moderate price When you think the guest is very thirsty, offer tall / long drinks or beer
Offer sweet drinks to people who just had their meals. Ex. Liqueurs Offer drinks with soda and bitters for guests who have upset stomach (usually rum) Offer hot drinks like buttered rum to guests who have colds Suggest Bloody Mary for hangover as it is known to be a good antidote