Menu knowledge and dish ingredients

Understanding Menu Terminology

  • A la Carte: This term refers to a menu where dishes are individually priced. With a wide array of options, the server must be familiar with every item.
  • Table d’Hôte: A type of menu offering a selection of predetermined courses for a set price.
  • Prix Fixe: Similar to Table d’Hôte, but it typically includes all courses (starter, main, dessert) for a single price.
  • Du Jour: “Of the day” in French, usually attached to menu items that change daily.

Recognising Key Ingredients

  • Allergens: Understand that some guests may have allergies or dietary restrictions. Key allergens include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.
  • Vegetarian and Vegan Options: These dishes may omit certain ingredients. Know which items are suitable for vegetarians (no meat or fish) and vegans (no animal products at all).
  • Local and Seasonal Ingredients: Frequently used in fine dining, these ingredients can change depending on the season or the region.

Mastering Dish Preparation, Presentation, and Pairings

  • Cooking Techniques: This includes knowledge of various methods like grilling, roasting, braising, and sauteing.
  • Garnishing and Presentation: Recognise the importance of visual appeal, knowing how food should be presented and any garnishes that might be used.
  • Pairing with Drinks: Some dishes are enhanced by particular beverages. Understand the basic principles of matching food with wine, beer, or cocktails.

Identifying Speciality and Gourmet Ingredients

  • Truffles: Highly prized and expensive, truffles are a kind of fungi used to add flavour to dishes.
  • Foie Gras: A delicacy in French cuisine, it’s made of the liver of a duck or goose that has been specially fattened.
  • Caviar: A luxury item consisting of salt-cured fish eggs, traditionally from wild sturgeon in the Caspian and Black Seas.
  • Wagyu Beef: Known for its rich marbling and tender texture, Wagyu is a breed of cattle native to Japan.

Managing Special Dietary Requirements

  • Gluten-free: Understand which dishes contain no wheat, barley, rye or any of their by-products.
  • Nut-free: Be aware of dishes that do not contain nuts, crucial for people with nut allergies.
  • Lactose-free: Know which dishes contain no milk or milk products, crucial for lactose-intolerant individuals.
  • Halal and Kosher: Understanding dishes prepared according to Islamic and Jewish dietary laws respectively.