When most foodservice professionals think of sanitation and food safety, they tend to think of the back of the house—all those hands working with raw food products where foodborne illnesses lurk. The front-of-the-house staff also has the opportunity to keep food safe. Whether it’s the hygiene of the server or the seemingly harmless work methods that introduce unsafe elements into the environment, food safety should be as great a concern in the service area as in the kitchen.

This course is designed to help you and your staff anticipate—and overcome—some of the more common challenges while capitalizing on every opportunity. We will cover the basics your front-of-the-house staff will need to practice to achieve sanitary dining conditions.

The importance of food safety cannot be overemphasized. Few things are as detrimental to a foodservice establishment as a publicly noted outbreak of a foodborne illness caused by poor sanitary practices.

Food can serve as a carrier for various foodborne illnesses that are a direct result of unsanitary procedures within both the kitchen and the dining room of many foodservice establishments. Our checklist will cover the procedures your staff will need to implement to avoid foodborne illnesses and the steps they can take to achieve sanitary front-of-the-house conditions.

• Clean dining tables of debris with one rag (into a bus tub, not onto the floor). With a different rag, wipe the tables with sanitizer. Let sanitizer air-dry before seating new guests. Replace sanitizing rags frequently.
• Sweep under tables during service as needed.
• With sanitized rags:
  • Wipe down countertops and bar top.
  • Wipe tabletop condiment dispensers.
  • Inspect laminated or plastic-sleeved menus; wipe clean if necessary.
  • Wipe chairs, booths, and counter stools.
  • Wipe down beer keg taps.
  • Clean soda machine according to manual instructions.
• Check restrooms frequently during operating hours. As needed, replenish supplies, empty trash, and wipe counters.
• Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. Lift up loose cushions to get at any crumbs underneath.
• Sweep or vacuum floors, then mop. Sweep outdoor seating areas.
• Pressure-wash any rubber floor mats.
• Empty trash bins, sanitize, then replace liners.
• Gather table linens and server aprons for the laundry. Launder dirty towels separately from linens and apparel.
• Clean restrooms thoroughly:
  • Clean toilets.
  • Sanitize counters, sinks, walls near toilets, and all door handles.
  • Clean and polish mirrors.
  • Refill dispensers for soap and feminine hygiene products.
  • Restock paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues.
  • Empty trash bins, sanitize, then replace liners.
  • Sweep floors, then mop.

• Sanitize all shelving.
• Dust and wipe light fixtures.
• Wipe walls and baseboards.