Forbes Standards of Service Training Checklist
Forbes Five-Star service is not a “style” you switch on for inspections. It’s a repeatable training system that produces the same guest experience on every shift. The Forbes 5 Star Service Standards List (Service Training) turns premium service expectations into one clear workflow: appearance and readiness, greeting and first impression, table presentation, menu knowledge and storytelling, allergen handling, order accuracy, pacing, food and beverage delivery, service recovery, teamwork, and the final farewell.
The checklist is built for real training conditions. It aligns trainee, trainer, and shift leadership around concrete, observable behaviors—what to say, what to check, what to confirm, and when to escalate. Each item is verifiable and easy to coach: correct service sequence, discreet upselling, confident wine presentation, proactive guest recognition, and fast, calm recovery when something goes wrong. This reduces “learning by chance” and makes Five-Star execution teachable and measurable.
Use the checklist as a printable PDF during onboarding, shadow shifts, and coaching sessions, or run it in a mobile checklist app to assign training tasks, track progress in real time, and capture notes or photos as evidence. This creates a consistent standard across trainers, improves handovers between shifts, and helps management see where the team needs reinforcement.
Uniform clean, pressed, complete
Grooming meets standard (hair/nails/fragrance)
Proper footwear and posture maintained
Carries required tools (pen, notepad, wine key, lighter)
Arrives on time and ready to work
Pre-shift briefing attended
Understands section assignment and responsibilities
Uses polite, confident service language
Maintains eye contact and warm tone
Smiles naturally; professional body language
Listens actively; does not interrupt guests
Avoids negative language (“no”, “can’t”)
Shows discretion (no loud staff talk, no phone use)
Anticipates needs without hovering
Greets guests promptly on arrival/approach
Uses guest name when available
Offers assistance (coats/bags) appropriately
Introduces self (when role requires)
Explains the experience briefly (menu highlights, pacing)
Sets expectations politely (timing, specials, chef’s tasting)
Table settings verified before seating
Glassware and cutlery spotless
Napkin placement correct and consistent
Chair placement aligned; table stable
Menu presented cleanly and correctly
Maintains table cleanliness throughout service
Crumbing performed correctly (when applicable)
Knows full menu structure (courses, key ingredients)
Can describe signature dishes confidently
Can answer “what do you recommend?” clearly
Can explain preparation methods (grilled, sous-vide, etc.)
Understands sourcing story where relevant
Understands portion sizes and sharing guidance
Accurately communicates daily specials
Asks proactively about allergies/dietary needs
Knows allergen info and where to verify it
Confirms dietary requirements back to the guest
Communicates clearly to kitchen/bar (no ambiguity)
Uses correct escalation process (chef/manager) when unsure
Records special requests accurately
Demonstrates awareness of cross-contamination risk
Takes order in logical sequence (ladies first/clockwise policy)
Repeats order back for accuracy
Confirms key modifiers (temperature, doneness, sides)
Captures course pacing requests (together/separate)
Enters order correctly into POS
Handles changes/corrections calmly and fast
Beverage order taken promptly
Water service initiated and maintained unobtrusively
Appropriate check-back after first bites/sips
Monitors guest cues (conversation, tempo, needs)
Coordinates timing with kitchen and runners
Prevents long gaps between courses
Does not rush guests; offers pauses when appropriate
Clears and resets between courses correctly
Delivers correct plates to correct guests
Presents dishes with confidence (name/description)
Ensures plates are delivered at proper temperature
Notices and corrects presentation issues before serving
Uses correct serving technique (tray, hand positions)
Observes guest reaction and follows up appropriately
Food quality issue reported immediately
Sample plating photo captured (training evidence)
Offers appropriate beverage suggestions
Knows wine list basics (styles, regions, pairings)
Confirms wine choice with guest clearly
Correct glassware used
Wine presented correctly (label shown)
Opening performed smoothly and discreetly
Tasting pour offered when appropriate
Monitors refill timing without interrupting
Cocktails built to spec (if applicable)
Non-alcoholic pairings offered
Suggests appetizers/sides naturally
Suggests premium items appropriately (not pushy)
Suggests wine pairings or second bottle at the right moment
Suggests dessert/after-dinner drinks
Explains value clearly (taste/experience, not price pressure)
Recognizes dissatisfaction signals early
Apologizes appropriately and takes ownership
Escalates to manager when required
Offers solutions quickly (replace, adjust, comp policy)
Follows up after recovery action
Documents issue and resolution
Communicates clearly with kitchen and bar
Uses proper handoff with runner/host/team
Keeps station organized and stocked
Supports teammates proactively during peaks
Maintains calm, quiet operational presence
Understands chain of command for issues
Hand hygiene observed consistently
No cross-contact between dirty/clean items
Service stations clean and organized
Spill response fast and safe
Restroom issue escalation understood (if observed)
Safety awareness (hot plates, glass handling)
Presents check only when appropriate cue is given
Check accurate and explained if needed
Payment processed discreetly and promptly
Thanks guests sincerely by name when possible
Invites guests to return (natural, not scripted)
Coats/bags returned smoothly (if applicable)
Trainee can describe 3 signature dishes confidently
Trainee can recommend 2 wine pairings
Trainee can explain allergen escalation process
Trainee can outline service sequence for a 3-course meal
Key gaps to focus on next shift
























