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Kitchen Staff Quick Start Guide

Master the KDS and keep the kitchen running smoothly.

Before Your Shift​

Get Set Up​

  1. KDS displays should be on and showing your station
  2. Check you can see tickets for your station
  3. Review any 86'd items with chef
  4. Verify prep levels

Know Your Station​

Typical stations:

  • Grill - Burgers, steaks, grilled items
  • Sauté - Pan dishes, pasta
  • Fry - Fried items
  • Salad/Cold - Salads, cold apps
  • Expo - Final check, plating, calling orders

Reading Tickets on KDS​

Ticket Layout​

┌────────────────────────────┐
│ TABLE 5        12:34 PM    │ ← Table & time
│ Server: Sarah              │ ← Who took order
├────────────────────────────┤
│ 1 Cheeseburger         🔥  │ ← Item & station
│   - Medium rare            │ ← Modifiers
│   - No onion               │
│   - ADD bacon              │
├────────────────────────────┤
│ 1 Caesar Salad         🥗  │
│   - Dressing side          │
├────────────────────────────┤
│ ⚠️ ALLERGY: Gluten-Free   │ ← Allergy warning
└────────────────────────────┘

Color Coding​

ColorMeaning
White/GreenNew ticket - just came in
YellowGetting close to time target
OrangeRunning late
RedUrgent - needs immediate attention

Icons​

IconMeaning
🔥Grill station
🍳Sauté station
🍟Fry station
🥗Cold station
⚠️Allergy warning
⏰Rush/priority
❄️Hold item

Working Tickets​

Bump When Done​

When you finish an item:

  1. Tap the item on screen
  2. Item marks as complete
  3. Ticket moves to expo when all items done

Bump Entire Ticket​

If you're expo or last station:

  1. Tap Bump button on ticket
  2. Ticket clears from screen
  3. Server notified food is ready

All Day Count​

At bottom of screen, see "All Day" totals:

  • "Cheeseburger: 5 All Day" = 5 total on all tickets
  • Helps you batch cook efficiently

Timing & Coursing​

Course Order​

CourseWhen to Fire
AppsFire immediately
SaladsWith apps or before entrees
EntreesAfter apps cleared
DessertsAfter entrees cleared, server requests

Fire vs Hold​

  • FIRE - Cook now
  • HOLD - Wait for signal

When expo calls "Fire table 5 entrees," start those items.

Coordinating Timing​

For same-ticket items:

  1. Check cooking times
  2. Start longest items first
  3. Finish together at window

Example (Table 5):

  • Steak (8 min) - Start first
  • Salmon (6 min) - Start 2 min after steak
  • Both finish together

Voice Commands (Hey Maximus)​

Say "Hey Maximus" then:

CommandAction
"What's all day on burgers?"Shows total count
"Fire table 5 entrees"Marks items as fired
"86 the salmon"Marks item unavailable
"How long on table 3?"Shows ticket time
"Bump table 5"Completes ticket
"Who's been waiting longest?"Shows oldest ticket

Special Situations​

Allergy Orders​

Allergy Orders Are Life-Threatening

Allergies can cause anaphylaxis and death. Read ALL items on allergy-flagged tickets carefully, use clean equipment and surfaces, and verify with expo before sending. When in doubt, always ask the chef.

  1. Ticket shows allergy warning prominently
  2. Read ALL items carefully
  3. Use clean equipment/surfaces
  4. Verify with expo before sending
  5. When in doubt, ask chef

Modifications​

Read modifiers carefully:

  • NO = Leave it out entirely
  • SUB = Replace with something else
  • ADD = Extra addition
  • SIDE = Serve separately
  • LIGHT = Less than normal
  • HEAVY = More than normal

Item 86'd (Sold Out)​

  1. Tell expo/chef immediately
  2. Mark item as 86'd in system
  3. Server will inform guest
  4. Don't promise "maybe later"

Remake/Refire​

If item comes back or needs remake:

  1. New ticket shows REFIRE or REMAKE
  2. Priority - make it next
  3. Note reason (wrong temp, dropped, etc.)

Rush Order​

Tickets marked RUSH or VIP:

  1. Move to front of queue
  2. Start immediately
  3. Alert expo when ready

Communication​

Calling Back​

When expo calls your items:

  • "Ordering" = New ticket, acknowledge it
  • "Fire" = Start cooking now
  • "How long?" = Give time estimate
  • "Bump" = Ticket complete

Responses​

Expo SaysYou Say
"Ordering 2 burgers""Heard, 2 burgers"
"Fire table 5""Firing 5"
"How long on 7?""2 minutes on 7"
"Need that burger""Coming up" or time estimate

Problem Communication​

If you have an issue:

  • "86'd on [item]" - Sold out
  • "Behind on [item]" - Running slow
  • "Refire needed" - Item remake
  • "Check [item]" - Quality concern

End of Shift​

Station Breakdown​

  1. Complete all remaining tickets
  2. Clean station thoroughly
  3. Break down equipment per checklist
  4. Stock for next shift if required

Handoff​

If someone taking over:

  1. Walk through pending tickets
  2. Note any 86'd items
  3. Point out any timing issues
  4. Clean as you go

Tips for Success​

tip

Read every ticket completely before starting. Missing a modifier like "no onion" or "gluten-free bun" means a remake, which slows down the entire line.

  1. Communicate clearly - Call back orders
  2. Watch your timing - Coordinate with other stations
  3. Keep station clean - Work clean, work fast
  4. Ask questions - Better to ask than mess up
  5. Stay calm - Busy rushes are normal

Quick Reference​

New ticket arrives: Read → Acknowledge → Start cooking

Item done: Tap item to mark complete

Ticket done: Tap Bump → Server notified

86 an item: Tell expo → Mark in system

Voice: "Hey Maximus" + command

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