The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: Offer to get the ingredients from the pantry while she prepares the rest of the drinks.
This choice represents the best approach in a hospitality setting because it demonstrates proactivity, teamwork, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. In a high pressure environment like a dinner rush, the most effective employees are those who identify problems and offer immediate, helpful solutions. Instead of accepting the bartender’s frustrated dismissal, this response acknowledges her workload and provides direct support. By offering to retrieve the ingredients, you take a small task off her plate, allowing her to continue mixing other cocktails without interruption. This act of teamwork not only helps a coworker but also builds a better working relationship, which is crucial for a smooth service.
Most importantly, this action ensures the guests receive what they ordered. Fulfilling a simple request for a Shirley Temple can make a significant difference to a family’s dining experience, especially for the children. This positive outcome prevents customer disappointment and contributes to a better overall impression of the restaurant.
The other options are less effective. Simply telling the family you are “all out” is dishonest and poor service, as the ingredients are available. Offering a substitute like chocolate milk might not be what the children want. Explaining that the bartender is too busy is unprofessional; it blames a coworker and makes the entire establishment look inefficient. Asking for a garnished soda is also a poor substitute that fails to meet the original request. The best solution is the one that supports your team while ensuring the customer’s needs are met, and offering to get the ingredients achieves both of these goals perfectly.
