How to discover the dish that will leave your guests speechless.
After years of soul searching, I’ve come to the realization my favorite dish to cook is one that creates an emotional experience for my guests. Food and hospitality have the power to transport you through time, change your mindset and leave you speechless. My wish is to cook a dish that will blow you away.
For every guest that dish is different, so it is important to learn as much about your diners as possible. I read each guest preference sheet carefully and try to put myself in the shoes of the person who filled it out. Small details such as preferences for certain wines, cheeses and dining styles can speak volumes. I then begin to develop a profile on the guests with any available information.
The next major step in my process is to have a preliminary meeting with the primary guests. Every meeting goes differently and generally I use the limited time to clarify any doubts or missing information. However, there are a few things that I always attempt to learn. Do they have any favorite restaurants? Is there any meal that they will be disappointed if they don’t receive? What can I do to make their time special?
Once the guests are on board, I strive to monitor their experience, level of enjoyment and future desires. Whenever possible, I take feedback from our stewarding team. Most importantly, I present every dish I serve, and in most cases, will check on the table myself. This simple gesture is by far the most effective. Having quality communication directly with the guests shows a level of dedication but also allows for direct feedback and observation. Most people will come to have a level of trust in a passionate chef and will simply tell them exactly what they want after a few days together. Pay attention to body language and observe what is left behind on the plates. Far too often people are afraid of offending a chef so be the calm and caring professional. Whether it is positive or negative, feedback is always a gift. It is an opportunity to do better and get closer to the goal of giving guests a positive emotional experience.
Finding the magical dish that creates an emotional connection is like searching for a shipwreck. It takes time, skill, research and a good dose of luck, but just as pulling gold bullion from a wreck is an unforgettable experience, so is creating a dish that reaches out and grabs your guests by their heart. The reward may not be as tangible, but it is certainly as priceless. I’ve come to the realization my favorite dish to cook is one that creates an emotional experience for my guests. Food and hospitality have the power to transport you through time, change your mindset and leave you speechless. My wish is to cook a dish that will blow you away.
For every guest that dish is different, so it is important to learn as much about your diners as possible. I read each guest preference sheet carefully and try to put myself in the shoes of the person who filled it out. Small details such as preferences for certain wines, cheeses and dining styles can speak volumes. I then begin to develop a profile on the guests with any available information.
The next major step in my process is to have a preliminary meeting with the primary guests. Every meeting goes differently and generally I use the limited time to clarify any doubts or missing information. However, there are a few things that I always attempt to learn. Do they have any favorite restaurants? Is there any meal that they will be disappointed if they don’t receive? What can I do to make their time special?
Once the guests are on board, I strive to monitor their experience, level of enjoyment and future desires. Whenever possible, I take feedback from our stewarding team. Most importantly, I present every dish I serve, and in most cases, will check on the table myself. This simple gesture is by far the most effective. Having quality communication directly with the guests shows a level of dedication but also allows for direct feedback and observation. Most people will come to have a level of trust in a passionate chef and will simply tell them exactly what they want after a few days together. Pay attention to body language and observe what is left behind on the plates. Far too often people are afraid of offending a chef so be the calm and caring professional. Whether it is positive or negative, feedback is always a gift. It is an opportunity to do better and get closer to the goal of giving guests a positive emotional experience.
Finding the magical dish that creates an emotional connection is like searching for a shipwreck. It takes time, skill, research and a good dose of luck, but just as pulling gold bullion from a wreck is an unforgettable experience, so is creating a dish that reaches out and grabs your guests by their heart. The reward may not be as tangible, but it is certainly as priceless.
Samuel Dux spent 20 years as a professional chef in luxury hotels and fine-dining restaurants before joining Serenity as executive chef.