How Do You Train Your Staff on Menu Knowledge?

[HearthpizzeriaB]

When it comes to training staff on menu knowledge, I take a hands-on approach. On their first shift, I walk new hires through the menu and point out the key items they need to learn right away. I also give them a full menu with ingredient descriptions, plus allergen guides and a glossary of kitchen terms they can refer to during training.

We don’t go over the entire menu regularly, but we do short pre-shift reviews that focus on different items each day. One of my team members even made flash cards for everyone, which has been a great help. I’m currently working on adding pairing charts and creating multi-level quizzes so we can track progress as staff get more comfortable with the menu.

One little trick that’s been super useful: we’ve added the ingredients for every menu item into Toast. For new team members, I show them how to hit the “details” button on any item so the full description pops up—this way, they can quickly read it to a guest if needed. It’s a great safety net while they’re still learning.

I also make sure the team knows their limits—especially when it comes to allergies. If they’re unsure, they know to grab a manager. And when it comes to making recommendations, I always tell them to be honest. If you love something, say so! Guests appreciate that kind of honesty and excitement.

After each quiz, I go over what they did well and where they can improve. Honestly, the hardest part at first was just getting everyone to care about the quizzes. There was some pushback in the beginning, but over time they started to see how being knowledgeable makes service smoother and helps them feel more confident.

What tools or tricks have you used to make learning the menu easier or more fun for your team?

[Penguin_Meg1]

Here is a pic of where to find the details button