Drink List and Sales Promotion
Drink List and Sales Promotion
The function of the wine and drinks list is similar to that of the menu and is
a selling aid. Careful thought is needed in its planning, design, layout,
colour and overall appearance to ensure it complements the style of the
establishment.
Service staff should have a good knowledge of all the wines and drinks
available and of their main characteristics. They should also have a good
knowledge of wines or other drinks that are most suitable to offer with
different foods (matching food to wine and other drinks).
Listing of wines
Wines are usually listed in three main ways:
1 By place of origin (geographical)
2 By type
3 By grape.
Listing wines by type
A modern approach is to have wines listed by type:
● Sparkling wines
● White wines
● Rosé wines
● Red wines
● Dessert (sweet) wines.
The wines can then be listed under each type of wine in three main ways:
1 Country by country
2 Region by region (similar to the geographical listing described above)
3 By the style of the wine.
sporting occasions as it was a bar drink. Figure 5.12 shows some examples
of cocktails.
Making cocktails
The art of making a good cocktail is to blend all the ingredients together so
that upon tasting no single ingredient is predominant. Making cocktails has
become very popular and the professionalism of cocktail making is
increasing. Cocktail making is often now called mixology and cocktail makers
are called mixologists.
The four main methods for making cocktails and mixed drinks are described below.
Shaken
Ice is placed in a standard cocktail shaker or a Boston shaker together with
the ingredients so as to combine the ingredients and chill them down. The
lid is then placed on the cocktail shaker and then shaken hard until the
outside is very cool and condensation has formed. The mixture is then
strained into a serving glass using a Hawthorne strainer to remove the ice
and other solid ingredients.
Stirred
The ice and ingredients are placed into a mixing glass and then gently
stirred with a bar spoon to mix the ingredients and chill them down. The
mixture is then strained into the serving glass using a Hawthorn strainer to
remove the ice and other solid ingredients.
Built
The drink is created in the serving glass by putting the ingredients and the
ice into a service glass, one after the other. Drinks made in this way often
including the process of muddling – crushing together ingredients, such as
fruit, leaves and sugar, at the bottom of a glass before adding other
ingredients. Muddling is carried out using the flat end of a bar spoon as the
muddler (see Section 3.6, p.62 for a picture of a bar spoon) or another
specially designed tool.
Layered
Liquids, which can be alcoholic and non-alcoholic, that have different
specific densities are floated one on top of the other in the serving glass.
These drinks can also be referred to as poured drinks.
Bitters
Bitters are used either as apéritifs or for flavouring mixed drinks and
cocktails. The most popular varieties are listed in Table 5.7.
Amer Picon A very black and bitter French apéritif. Grenadine or Cassis is often added
to make the flavour more acceptable. Traditionalists add water in a
proportion 2:1
Angostura Takes its name from a town in Bolivia. However, it is no longer produced
bitters there but in Trinidad. Brownish red in colour, it is used in the preparation
of pink gin and the occasional cocktail and may be regarded as mainly
a flavouring agent
Byrrh (Pronounced beer.) This is a style of bitters made in France near the
Spanish border. It has a base of red wine and is flavoured with quinine
and herbs and fortified with brandy
Campari A pink, bittersweet Italian apéritif that has a slight flavour of orange peel
and quinine. Serve in an 18.93 cl (62⁄3 fl oz) Paris goblet or Highball
glass. Use one measure on ice and garnish with a slice of lemon. Top up
according to the customer’s requirements with soda or iced water
Fernet The Italian version of Amer Picon. Best served diluted with water or soda.
Branca Good for hangovers!
Underberg A German bitter that looks like, and almost tastes like, iodine. It may be
taken as a pick-me- up with soda
Other bitters Orange and peach bitters are used principally as cocktail ingredients.
Other well-known bitters are Amora Montenegro, Radis, Unicum,
Abbots, Peychaud, Boonekamp and Welling. Many are used to cure that
‘morning after the night before’ feeling. Cassis or Grenadine is sometimes
added to make the drink more palatable
12.2 Sales promotion
Legal considerations
There are a wide variety of legal requirements for foodservice operations.
These include company law, liquor licensing regulations and employment law.
A summary of the key responsibilities of the foodservice supervisor are given
below.
Contracts
A contract is made when one party agrees to the terms of an offer made by
another party. In food and beverage service there are essentially two types of
customer: those who pre-book and those who do not (often called chance or
casual customers). All foodservice operations should be clear on how they
will deal with these different types of customers including:
● circumstances where the restaurant may seek compensation from the
customer if they do not turn up or pay for their meals or services
● taking care when making contracts with minors (i.e. persons under 18).
Avoiding discrimination
The foodservice supervisor should be aware of and take steps to ensure that
the operation and the staff do not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin,
race, creed, sex or disability. There are potentially three ways in which
12.2 Sales promotion
Providing services
Generally a food and beverage operator is under no specific
requirement to serve anyone. However, it is important that the supervisor
and staff are aware of:
● circumstances where there may be a mandatory requirement to provide services
● valid reasons for refusal.
Sales promotion
Sectors were identified based on the nature of demand being met rather
than the type of operation. Factors that affect the customer’s enjoyment of
a meal were identified in Section and customer service concepts within
Section. This section now considers the various aspects of sales promotion
relevant to food and beverage operations.
Special product sales may also be used to increase sales by promoting particular products,
such as:
● festival promotions or links ● diabetic menus
with local, regional or national ● ‘Taste of the Country’ menus, etc.
celebrations ● products to complement specific
● wine and spirit or food calendar dates, etc.
promotions (possibly in
association with suppliers)
● children’s menus
12.2 Sales promotion
Four types of sales promotion are particularly useful for foodservice operations:
1 Sales promotion through advertising: concerned with contacting and
informing the existing or potential market of a business, providing
information on the products available and encouraging purchase.
2 Sales promotion though internet and social media: similar to using
advertising with coverage potentially far wider than an intended market.
Can provide the opportunity for more information to be available to
customers on demand. Not so easy to target potential customers and
control as the medium is also interactive and volatile.
3 Sales promotion through merchandising: related mainly to point-of-sale
promotion. Its main role is to improve the average spend per head of the
customer. However, it is also used to promote particular services or goods.
4 Sales promotion through personal selling: refers to the ability of the staff
in a food and beverage operation to actively contribute to the promotion of
sales.
Advertising
Advertising media includes:
● broadcast: radio, television
● print: newspapers – national daily, regional daily, national Sunday, regional
Sunday, weekly regional and free distribution
● consumer publications: directories (Yellow Pages, Thompson’s), guides,
business publications, executive travel publications, technical and
professional publications, journals
and other magazines (including local free ones)
● other media: commercial transport, terminals and stations, posters, cinema
● postal advertising: direct mail, hand drops.
Merchandising
Merchandising relates mainly to point-of-sale promotion. Its main role
is to improve the average spend per head of the customer. It is also used to
promote particular services or goods.
Examples of food and beverage merchandising tend to be mainly visual,
but may also be audio or audio-visual. Food and beverage merchandising
stimuli can include:
● aromas ● drink coasters and placemats
● bulletins/blackboards/floor ● facia boards and illuminated panels
stands ● menus, drinks and wine lists
● directional signs ● posters
● display cards/brochures ● tent cards
● displays of food and drinks ● buffets/salad bars, self-service
● trolleys (sweet, liqueurs, counters, bar displays, flambé
etc.) work, etc.
● other customers’
food/drink.
12.2 Sales promotion
Personal selling
Merchandising materials must also be supported by good
personal (or positive) selling techniques. Personal selling
refers specifically to the ability of the staff in a food and
beverage operation to contribute to the promotion of
sales. This is especially important where there are
specific promotions being undertaken. The promise of a
particular type of menu or drink, a special deal or the
availability of a particular service can often be devalued by
the inability of the staff to fulfil the requirements as
promised. It is therefore important to involve service staff
in the formulation of particular offers and to ensure that
briefing and training are given so that the customer can
actually experience what has been promised.
➢ At the end of service a range of duties need to be completed. These duties are carried
out without customers in the service areas.
➢ It’s also called post service tasks.
➢ It involves the following:-
i) Stripping of tables
➢ At the end of the lunch service, tables should be stripped off of all items. If linen
colour, is not changed for dinner, slip clothes will be used where necessary but only
changed if heavily soiled.
➢ All items of food on sideboards, buffet, trolleys e.t.c must be returned to the kitchen
or service area for proper hygienic storage at the end of service and handed over in a
proper manner to the person responsible.
➢ Proprietary sauces, mustard e.t.c will be cleaned and prepared for the following
service.
v) Re-clothing of tables
➢ Fresh linen is used where table layouts are to be changed or one used is heavily soiled
or where different colour linen is used for different time of service.
➢ There are several clearing following service for different service personnel:-
a) Headwaiter or supervisor
i) Ensure gas and electrical appliances are switched off and plugs removed from
sockets.
ii) Return any special equipment to the appropriate work area.
iii) Secure all windows and check fire exits.
iv) Check that all tasks are completed in satisfactory manner before staff complete
tthir shift.
12.2 Sales promotion
c) Bar person
i) Wipe down all working surfaces.
ii) Ensure that all equipments is washed, dried and put in correct place for future
use.
iii) See that all glassware is washed, rinsed, dried and stored correctly.
iv) Empty the bottle trolley and waste bins.
v) Place surplus oranges/lemon slices on to plates and cling film and store in
chilling unit.
vi) Sweep and mop the floor.
vii) Return the liqueur trolley to the bar.
viii) Drain the glass-washing machine.
ix) Turn off the chillers’ lights.
x) Complete the control system.
xi) Replenish bar stock.
xii) Make the bar secure.
xiii) Check area of responsibility with head waiter/supervisor.
d) Stillroom staff
i) Ensure the correct storage of such items as bread, butter, milk, teabags and
ground coffee.
ii) Wipe down all working surfaces.
iii) Clean and tidy the stillroom fridge and check its working temperatures.
iv) Check that all equipments is left clean and stored in correct place.
v) Left over food to be placed into clean containers and stored correctly.
vi) All surplus accompaniments to be stored correctly in proprietary jars and their
lids to be wiped down.
vii) Switch off applicable electrical appliances.
viii) Make sure all carrying trays are wiped and stacked correctly.
ix) All surplus teapots/coffee pots etc. to be stored in the appropriate storage area.
x) Check area of responsibility with the head waiter/supervisor, or the person
taking over the area, prior to leaving.
PROVIDING SERVICES
➢ The food and beverage operator is under no specific requirement to serve anyone
unless the food and beverage operation is within an establishment covered by the
Hotel Proprietors Act (HPA) 1956 and the customers seeking food and beverage
service provision are resident in the hotel.
THE BAR
➢ This is a place where alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are sold or dispensed.
Types of bars
a) Dispense bar
• This is a bar that serves the restaurant directly. The contact is between the
bar man and the waiter.
b) Mini bar
• This is a bar kept in a room where fridge is stocked with drinks and the
guest serves himself or herself in the room.
• This is a bar whereby drinks are dispensed to other bars. It is the largest
bar in the hotel.
d) Pool bar
• This is a bar located next to the swimming pool and it serves the
swimmers. It serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks; as well as
light snacks.
e) Open bar (full scale or fixed stock)
• This is a bar put up with different variety of drinks where guest drinks for
free and the organiser pays the total bill.
f) Cash bar wine bar
• Type of bar where invited guests pay cash as they get their drink. Drinks
are exchanged for money. Used in functions where the restaurant is busy.
g) Snack bar
• This is bar which mainly serves snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
h) Wine bar
• This is a bar that mostly serves wine. It can also serve spirits and beers.
seat.
b) Back bar - This is where the drinks are displayed and its usually
decorated.
c) Under bar - This is the part beneath the counter of the front bar.
Bar personnel
Head barman
• Has the overall responsibility of the smooth running of the bar.
• Maintains staff discipline.
• Plans the work schedule.
• Ensures and checks the mise-en-place of the bar.
• Handles guest complaints.
• He may be responsible for the cash register.
• Takes daily physical bar stocks.
• Handles the service of V.I.P guests.
• Ensures that the bar stock is always adequate.
• Directs and coaches his subordinates.
• Reports to his superior.
• Performs showmanship in front of the guest or mixing cocktails.
Barman
• Takes over the responsibilities and duties of the head barman during his
absence.
• Collects and controls the requested stock from the main store.
• Prepares and serves drinks on the order.
• Ensures cleanliness of the bar equipments and tools throughout the day.
• Replenishes fridges and coolers.
• Opens the bar for business according to the fixed timetable.
• Organises the cleanliness and mise-en-place of the bar.
• Reports serious complaints to the head barman.
Bar waiter
• Works under the barman.
• He prepares the bar mise-en-place.
• Serves drinks to guests at the tables.
• Helps in cleaning the bar.
12.2 Sales promotion
Glass washer
• He washes glasses in the bar back area.
• He maintains the cleanliness of the bar.
• He helps in carrying of stock from the main store.
• He arranges the bar.
Bar equipments
➢ In order to carry out efficiently the services of all form of drinks requested, the bar
should have available all the necessary equipments for making cocktails, decanting
wine, serving wines etc.
FERMENTATION
➢ This is the conversation of sugar found in fruits or grains into alcohol by the action of
bacteria (yeast).
➢ The degree of fermentation can be controlled and carbon dioxide is produced and can
be retained in the beverages as the case of beers and champagnes.
i.e Grape juice + Yeast = Alcohol + Carbon dioxide
DISTILLATION
➢ Process of converting liquid into vapour then condensing the vapour and collecting
condense as water.
12.2 Sales promotion
➢ Fermented mash of fruit or grain is heated, evaporates together with the flavouring
agent, trapped and condensed to a liquid by cooling.
➢ Pure alcohol has no colour, taste or smell and is used for compounding other
beverages.
➢ All distilled beverages are colourless and may be coloured by addition of synthetic
colours or keeping them in contact with wood when maturing.
➢ The principle of distillation of alcohol is that ethyl alcohol (ethanol) vaporises (boils)
at a lower temperature (i.e 73°C-78°C) than water (100°C).
➢ Where a liquid containing alcohol is heated in an enclosed environment, the alcohol
will form steam first and can be taken off leaving water and other ingredients behind.
➢ The process raises the alcoholic strength of the resulting liquid.
➢ The process is used to separate mixtures of liquids at different boiling points.
➢ The distilled beverages are sold at certain degrees of alcoholic strengths or proof.
Pot still
➢ Fermented liquor is put into closed vessel and boiled. Alcohol boils at 78.3°C and so
will vaporise before water.
➢ The vapour is put into a closed pipe into a cold water tank where it is cooled. It
condensed into a liquid, which is spirit.
➢ The spirit will contain a higher proportion of alcohol with some water and certain
gases and flavouring oils, which have been carried in the vapour.
➢ The gases and oils impart particular characteristics and flavour of that spirit.
➢ Any spirit produced in this manner will have ‘many impurities’.
➢ This method produces full, heavy flavoured spirits e.g brandy
Patent still
➢ This is a continuous process unlike the pot still. It produces a spirit containing fewer
impurities.
➢ Only one distillation is needed to produce an acceptable products and a stronger spirit
is produced.
➢ The still comprises of two tall column; analyser and rectifier.
➢ In the Analyser is where the wash is vaporised and in the rectifier vapour is
condensed.
➢ The wash is heated in the analyser by super heated steam and instantly condensed by
the rectifier to an acceptable spirit or product.
➢ No maturing period is required for the products produced by this method prior to
selling.
➢ This method produces the lighter spirits e.g vodka.
APERITIFS
➢ This means ‘appetisers’ and refers to any drink which will promote an appetite.
➢ It includes some items such as sherry, as well as spirits taken with vermouths and / or
mixers, cocktails and wine-based aperitifs e.g Dubonnet, st. Raphael or even, for
some, fruit juices etc.
TERMINOLOGIES
Cigar cutter - an implement used to cut the tip of cigar before smoking
Corona - a long cigar with straight edges.
Flue - the centre of a cigar through which smoke is drawn.
Humidor - is a wooden box used for the storage of cigars and tobacco.
FABs - this is a term used to describe flavoured alcoholic beverages e.g
barcadi
Alcopops - this is term used to describe manufactured flavoured drinks which have
had, alcohol, such as gin added to them.
- also known as alcohol soft drinks and are generally sweet and fruity.
Sake - is strong, slightly sweet form of beer made from rice.
Infusion - to steep in hot water without boiling.
Steep - to soak
Table wines - still wines
Proof - is a system to indicate the alcoholic content of a beverage.
ii. To promote a new product e.g new milk shake at a reduced price.
iii. To influence impulse purchasers towards a certain product or range of products.
iv. To help ‘level’ peak activities for the business e.g free glass of wine with meals
served at 6.30 pm.
v. To aid as a remainder during long-term advertising campaigns.
vi. To clear slow moving stock.
vii. To‘package’ together menu items at an attractive price.
viii. To celebrate a special event e.g the New year, thanksgiving Day dinner e.t.c
Sales promotion is a marketing tool in its own right and should be well planned, monitored
and evaluated.
The major forms of advertising used in food and beverage facilities include:-
i. Direct mail
ii. Press advertising
iii. Broadcasting
iv. Signs and posters
v. Miscellaneous advertising media
DIRECT MAIL
Direct mail involves communicating by post to specified customers; it may be directed at new
and potential customers or to past or well established customers. It involves the direct mailing
of personalized letters, brochures, pamphlets and leaflets.
ADVANTAGES
i. Specific customers can be targeted.
ii. Direct mail is easy to introduce.
iii. The feedback from targeted customers is relatively prompt and easy to
appreciate.
iv. It is a cost-effective method of advertising to specifically targeted
groups of customers with very little ‘wastage’.
DISADVANTAGES
12.2 Sales promotion
PRESS ADVERTISING
This is a form of advertising and includes the following:-
i. Newspapers
ii. Magazines
iii. Guides
iv. Trade advertising
BROADCASTING
This involves:-
i. Radio
ii. Television
iii. Cinema