If you’ve ever dreamed of your restaurant scooping up one of those coveted restaurant awards or even being recognised at the prestigious Curry Oscars, you already know that great food alone won’t cut it. In today’s competitive market, impeccable customer service can be the very thing that tips the scales in your favour when judges and diners are casting their votes.
Winning food industry awards isn’t about luck. It’s about crafting an experience so memorable that your guests rave about it long after their plates are cleared. And that experience starts – and often ends – with your staff.
So, how exactly do you train your team to deliver customer service that’s truly award-worthy? Let’s break it down.
Understanding the Power of Exceptional Service
Think about the last time you dined out. Chances are, you remember how you were treated even more vividly than what you ordered. Outstanding service builds loyalty, triggers glowing reviews, and catches the attention of awards panels.
When you’re vying for top honours in the restaurant awards scene or dreaming of making a splash at the Curry Oscars, your service needs to be consistently excellent, not just when a mystery diner walks in.
Customer service is not an add-on. It’s baked into the very soul of your restaurant. Training your staff to treat every guest like a judge is the mindset shift that sets winning establishments apart.
Start with Your Why
Before you dive into training sessions and scripts, share your vision. Why is service so vital? Why are you aiming for a food industry award?
When your team understands the bigger picture – that they’re part of something extraordinary, that their service could help the restaurant become a nationally recognised name – they become emotionally invested. Motivation rooted in pride and purpose will always outperform motivation rooted in fear of getting told off.
Paint the dream clearly. Tell them: “We’re not just serving tables. We’re creating moments that might just win us a spot at the Curry Oscars.” That pride becomes contagious.
Make Empathy Your Core Skill
You can teach someone how to lay a table or pour a glass of wine. But teaching empathy takes intention.
At the heart of award-worthy service is the ability to see every diner as a human being first – someone who might be celebrating a birthday, nursing a bad day, or trying your cuisine for the first time.
Build empathy into your training. Roleplay scenarios. Talk about body language. Encourage your team to ask themselves, “What would I want if I were in this guest’s shoes?”
Restaurants that consistently collect restaurant awards don’t just deliver service; they deliver care.
Create Service Standards That Feel Personal, Not Robotic
There’s a fine line between well-trained service and service that feels staged. Diners can spot a script from a mile away, and judges certainly can too.
Instead of rigid word-for-word scripts, develop service guidelines that give your team the tools to adapt to different guests.
For instance:
- Always greet the guest within 30 seconds.
- Always personalise recommendations based on guest cues (“If you like spicy, you’ll love our lamb vindaloo!”).
- Always check in after the first few bites.
Winning a food industry award isn’t about creating robots. It’s about creating human connections.
Celebrate Your Stars Publicly
Training never ends. In fact, ongoing feedback and celebration are key parts of making great service a habit rather than a goal you dust off once a year.
Catch your team doing it right. Celebrate those small wins. Whether it’s a quick shoutout in a team meeting or a prize for the best guest feedback of the month, your staff should know their excellence is seen and valued.
If you dream of climbing the stage at the Curry Oscars, start by awarding your internal heroes first.
Training for the Unexpected
No two service scenarios are ever alike. One day, it’s a full house and a birthday party. Next, a quiet afternoon and a surprise celebrity visit.
Prepare your team for the unpredictable. Host mini “what if” workshops:
- What if a customer is unhappy?
- What if a dish is delayed?
- What if we get a large walk-in group?
Judges in restaurant awards are often looking for how your team handles pressure, mistakes, and surprises. Resilience and adaptability could be your secret weapons.
Teach the Language of Hospitality
Words matter. Tone matters even more.
Training should include voice modulation, body language, and the art of saying “no” gracefully. (“I’m so sorry, we’re out of the sea bass tonight, but I would highly recommend the grilled monkfish.”)
Little details like this aren’t trivial – they’re often the invisible threads weaving together an award-winning experience.
Remember: The Back of House Matters Too
It’s tempting to focus customer service training only on the front-of-house team. But chefs, kitchen porters, and managers play crucial roles in the service experience.
A plate taking too long, a rushed dish presentation, or a misplaced allergy note can unravel the experience for a guest – and for an awards judge.
Instil the philosophy that everyone, from dishwasher to head chef, is part of your service culture. Many food industry awards assess everything from kitchen consistency to front-of-house harmony.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Training shouldn’t just happen at induction. Regular refreshers, roleplays, and even mock service scenarios where staff practise handling tricky guests or high-stress evenings are essential.
Consider holding occasional “mystery diner” experiences in-house – where one staff member acts as a particularly difficult guest and the team has to respond professionally.
Remember, consistency is what wins restaurant awards. A one-off fantastic service won’t cut it. Judges and diners alike are looking for a restaurant that gets it right, every time.
Training Your Staff for Awards is Training Your Business for Success
At the end of the day, training your staff to deliver award-worthy customer service isn’t just about trophies or glitzy ceremonies. Sure, winning a Curry Oscar would be incredible. Seeing your name alongside the country’s finest restaurants on a food industry award shortlist would be unforgettable.
But the real prize? Loyal customers. Overflowing reservation books. Staff who take pride in what they do. A business that feels alive with energy, passion, and excellence.
If you get the service right, the awards – and the lasting success – will follow naturally.
FAQ: How to Train Your Staff to Deliver Award-Worthy Customer Service
- How often should restaurant staff receive customer service training?
You should invest in regular, ongoing training – at least quarterly. Frequent refreshers help keep service standards sharp and inspire your team to maintain excellence consistently. - What’s the most important skill for staff aiming for award-level service?
Empathy. Technical skills matter, but the ability to truly understand and anticipate guest needs sets your restaurant apart when it comes to winning restaurant awards.
3. Can great customer service really help win food industry awards like the Curry Oscars?
Absolutely. Many awards place heavy emphasis on the overall dining experience, not just the food. Exceptional service often tips the scales in your favour during judging.
