Great food service isn’t just about great-tasting food. While it definitely doesn’t hurt to serve up delicious meals, it’s called food service for a reason; the service aspect shouldn’t be overlooked. In fact, sometimes it’s even more important. Great food brings people together, and great service makes people feel welcome and comfortable enough to enjoy their time eating in each other’s company.

Food service exists in the hospitality industry, so it’s expected that food service partners will be… well, hospitable. Part of catering to everyone is creating an inclusive environment where all people feel represented and accepted.

In today’s world, consumers are all the more likely to “vote with their dollars” and make value-oriented decisions about where they spend their money. It’s all the more crucial that food service partners and institutions go above and beyond to meet and exceed these expectations. 

So how do food service companies stay on top of these demands and keep their spaces open to all? This blog will dive into some ways that Canteen and companies like us can stay on the top of their hospitality game and create environments where everyone feels welcomed and included.

What Is Inclusive Dining?

When a restaurant or food vendor provides an inclusive dining experience, they create a welcoming, accessible, and comfortable experience for all guests regardless of individuals’ dietary preferences, physical abilities, cultural backgrounds, or social needs. 

This might include offering diverse menu options, ensuring all guests can physically access dining spaces, and training staff on the best ways to serve people from all backgrounds.

Creating the Right Menu

The first step in creating inclusive dining experiences is ensuring the food on the plate is safe for everyone to eat. An inclusive menu takes into account the varied diets of all potential guests. Whether accounting for common food allergies, dietary restrictions or preferences, religious practices, or cultural traditions, a diverse menu will include food that is conscious of these factors.

Today’s consumers have more specialized diets with rises in health consciousness, sustainability awareness, and more widespread knowledge about food allergies and intolerances. In fact, nearly one in five Americans follow a special diet. Many customers adhere to a diet that excludes or limits animal byproducts like meat, dairy, and honey. Others may need to follow a gluten-free diet. One’s religious beliefs may require a person to eat strictly kosher foods or prohibit alcohol. Some religious practices also forbid the combining of certain ingredients.

An inclusively curated menu takes all of these factors into account and provides nutrient-rich meals, snacks, and drinks that keep diners safe from allergens and respects guests’ food traditions, sensitivities, and preferences.

It’s also important that customers feel represented in their food experiences. Creating a culturally diverse menu is just as important as creating a menu that acknowledges dietary restrictions. Incorporating global cuisine is a great way to make guests from various backgrounds feel represented and included.

Cultural Understanding

As mentioned, having food from various cultures is important. What can really set a food service provider apart from the rest is by also understanding the cultures and traditions that surround these foods. How people eat is a big part of how we interact with the world. After all, many of us gather for a meal at least three times a day.

Dining can be a cultural experience that transcends the act of simply sitting down and eating. It can be a celebration of the cultures and communities that come together to make up a space. Whether informing your guests and staff about the cultural significance of an ingredient or the customs surrounding a certain dish, understanding the basis of meals and snacks fosters a welcoming, informed, and cohesive community culture.

Inclusive Design

Another important thing to consider is the physical accessibility of your dining spaces. The design of your dining spaces should ensure all of your patrons feel comfortable and accessible. Your physical space should meet ADA standards and be accessible to people with disabilities, including ramps and accessible seating and restrooms. Adhering to ADA requirements might also ensure your space includes wide aisles and wheelchair-accessible entrances and exits.

Your dining spaces should also include seating that is comfortable for all guests. Consider including adjustable seating that can adapt to all heights, sizes, and mobility needs. Ensure there’s enough space for people to navigate and move between tables easily and comfortably.

You should also implement universal design principles in all materials in your space. For example, your menus, signage, and marketing materials should use clear and simple language, large type, high contrast colors, and helpful icons and imagery. It may also be helpful to present menus in multiple formats such as in braille, audio, or digital layouts to ensure they’re accessible to all.

Customer Experience

Back to the importance of hospitality. A huge part of how customers feel about your establishment is how they interact with your workers. While food service providers may not have as much direct client interaction as a host or server, it’s still important that all workers interact pleasantly with all guests. As Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Making people feel welcome is a huge part of making them comfortable in your space and facilitates better relationships with your staff members.

One way to retain your client base is by customizing and personalizing their service. Everyone likes to feel special. Going above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service includes personalizing the experience wherever possible.

Another key part of providing the best customer experience possible is being consistent. People will come to expect a certain level of quality that your team delivers. Make sure your kitchen staff is well educated on the standard procedures, recipes, and safety protocols necessary to serve your food the right way every time.

Encourage your customers to open a dialogue and provide feedback about what’s working with your service and how you can improve. It’s amazing how insightful a simple survey can be. By inviting your guests to share their honest opinions on your service, you can learn from their perspectives, experiences, and suggestions to make your food service model the best it can be.

Ensuring Everyone is Welcome

To make sure everyone feels welcome, your staff should be able to make all people feel at home in your dining areas.

Encourage your staff to create a culture of inclusion. This includes practicing proper service etiquette with all customers. No matter their race, gender, ethnicity, identity, or other background, service workers should exercise the same level of decency and courtesy for all guests. This includes being mindful of any potential biases and using the appropriate language when communicating with clients. Consider implementing training to teach your staff about the proper ways to interact with customers of various backgrounds and treat them mindfully and with respect.

Make sure your staff is aligned on your company’s values. Be clear about your company’s policies, rules, and codes of conduct to create a safe environment for all. Setting expectations for how everyone in your dining places should act helps minimize harm or discomfort in your spaces.

Benefits of an Inclusive Food Service Experience

Not only does creating an inclusive food service environment help the client, it also benefits the food service provider. Creating an inclusive food service environment proves to your clients that you care. This makes it all the more likely that your customers will champion your company, creating opportunities for you to reach a larger client base. No matter your clients’ dietary restrictions, disabilities, or cultural practices, you’ll be able to serve them all.

By showing your company’s commitment to inclusivity, you can enhance your reputation. Word-of-mouth is a powerful marketing tool, and underrepresented communities may be more likely to recommend your services after seeing your commitment to serving them.

 

Meeting your guests’ diverse needs makes it all the more likely that your guests feel cared for in your dining environments. This boosts customer satisfaction and establishes loyalty among your clients.

Not only does it help you out, but it’s also the right thing to do. Inclusive food services create a positive social impact in the world. With diverse menu options, accessible dining spaces, and culturally sensitive customer service, people from all walks of life can enjoy the dining experience your food service provides.

In a melting pot of cultures, it’s important that we consider people of all backgrounds. Creating an atmosphere of acceptance and respect for all people allows us to be as hospitable and accommodating as possible. With these principles in mind, you can work towards creating an enjoyable and inclusive atmosphere. Creating inclusive dining experiences is essential to ensure your clients feel valued, welcome, and eager to employ your services.