Bobby Rahman has been cooking for more than 15 years. He has extensive knowledge of Canadian cuisine (which is what he is best known for), but he’s also learned to prepare and enjoy dishes from all of the world — a versatility that allows him to stand-out and ensures that he’s a sought-after asset in any chef’s kitchen.
But that’s not the subject of our article today! Today, we’re talking about how you can go about improving your dining experience when out.
Want to know how to make the most out of the care that restaurants have to offer? Continue reading as we share a couple of tips and tricks from Chef Bobby Rahman.
Show up for your reservation
Bobby Rahman: When it comes to eating out, being ‘fashionably late’ will only hurt your overall enjoyment of the meal. So, show up in time for your reservation!
Showing up late for dinner not only throws off your reservation schedule but also the kitchen’s operating schedule. This is really all about maintaining a level of decency. Act kindly and they will act kindly in return. On that note, if you ever have to change your plans for a reservation, call ahead to let them know. More likely than not, they’ll be able to hold the table for you and keep it open.
Put yourself in the chef’s hands
Bobby Rahman: It’s hard to find a truly unique meal these days, but if you’re tired of the same old thing and want something new, then give up control. Trust me—when it comes to cooking your food just for you–the chef knows what they’re doing! Ask for recommendations and trust that they want you to enjoy their recipes as much as you want to enjoy your meal!
You can take a deep breath and better enjoy your dining experience after that—plus, with the right attitude, there’s always room for new dishes or drinks to fall in love with.
Give us a chance to fix our mistakes
Bobby Rahman: When something goes wrong in the kitchen or out of the house, don’t get frustrated! Speak up so we can fix what’s broken–we want you back as our customer!
Size of the menu
Bobby Rahman: The restaurant’s quality is usually reflected in the number of items available on their menu. Consider it as proof that they take great care with each dish because if there are only one or two options, you can be sure those dishes will be delicious!
Allergies or dietary restrictions
Bobby Rahman: If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure to tell them about them when dining out. This will ensure that your meal is prepared just how you like it!
Give a tip
Bobby Rahman: People need encouragement and support from their customers. I urge everyone who visits struggling establishments or any other restaurant to leave them with an encouraging tip–a good starting point will be 20% of what you spent on food! It’s all about making sure that we tell them that they’ve done a good job — which is a good way of encouraging better service in the future (not just for your sake but for others as well).
The first-bite rule
Bobby Rahman: The first bite of food sets the tone for the rest of your meal. When you’re deciding whether or not to eat at a restaurant, it’s important to look carefully at what they put on their table before bringing out any more dishes. If there is the bread that has been sitting around and some cheap breadsticks, chances are good that everything else will be mediocre too! But if they have freshly baked goodies in a basket overflowing with deliciousness, then it might just be worth sticking around longer than an hour waiting for dessert!
The Bottom Line
We all go to restaurants not just to enjoy the food there but also because of the experience. The tips that Chef Bobby Rahman provided above is meant to help with that — trade secrets that you may not have already known about, but that you should definitely try out the next time you’re eating out so that you can make the most of your time and your money!