Overview
The Kitchen Display System (KDS) shows food orders to kitchen staff in real-time. No more paper tickets getting lost or hard to read. Orders appear instantly when servers send them from the POS.
KDS Interface
The kitchen display shows orders as cards on screen:
- Order Number - Quick reference for calling out
- Table/Guest - Who the order is for
- Items - What to prepare
- Notes - Special instructions (no onion, extra spicy, etc.)
- Time - When order was placed
- Status Color - Visual priority indicator
Order Status Colors
| Color | Status | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Red | New Order | Just came in - start preparing |
| Yellow/Orange | In Progress | Being prepared |
| Green | Ready | Done - ready for pickup/serving |
| Purple | Rush/Priority | Urgent - prepare immediately |
Basic Operations
Starting the KDS
- Open KDS on kitchen tablet or computer
- Log in with your Kitchen user account
- Display shows all pending orders
- Sound plays when new orders arrive
Processing Orders
- New orders appear on the left (newest first or oldest first - configurable)
- Tap an order card to mark "In Progress"
- Prepare the items
- Tap again or press "Done" to mark "Ready"
- Server is notified that food is ready
Handling Item Notes
Special instructions appear below each item in the order:
- Allergies - highlighted in red
- Modifications - "no onion", "extra garlic"
- Cooking preferences - "well done", "medium rare"
Items with allergy notes are highlighted. Always double-check these orders and avoid cross-contamination.
Order Types
Dine-In Orders
Shows table number. Prepare and plate for serving.
Room Service
Shows room number. Prepare and arrange on tray for delivery.
Takeaway/To-Go
Shows guest name. Prepare and pack appropriately.
Delivery
Shows order ID. Pack securely for transport.
Managing Multiple Orders
Order Priority
Generally work orders in sequence, but consider:
- Older orders first (check timestamp)
- Rush orders flagged by servers
- Items that take longer to cook
- Coordinating courses for same table
Start longer-cooking items first (like grilled meats) while prepping quicker items. This helps get all items for a table ready together.
Bumping Orders
When an order is complete:
- Tap "Done" or swipe the order card
- Order moves to "Ready" section
- Server sees notification
- After pickup, order clears from display
Coordinating with Servers
Communication
- Call out order numbers when ready
- Alert servers to long wait times
- Report any item unavailability
Item Unavailable
If you can't make an item (out of ingredients):
- Tap the item
- Select "Item Unavailable"
- Server is notified to inform guest
- Server can remove or substitute
Display Settings
Customization Options
- Sound - On/off, volume, different sounds for priority
- Auto-refresh - How often display updates
- Order Sort - Oldest first or newest first
- Time Warning - When orders turn red (e.g., after 15 min)
- Font Size - Larger for visibility
Busy Period Tips
- Keep display screen clean and visible
- Assign one person to monitor and call out
- Work systematically through orders
- Communicate any delays immediately
- Prep common items in advance
Rice orders are common - consider keeping a rice warmer ready. Mark "Extra rice" orders clearly so servers can charge appropriately.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Orders not showing | Check internet connection. Refresh the display. Verify server sent the order. |
| No sound alerts | Check device volume. Verify sound is enabled in KDS settings. |
| Screen frozen | Refresh browser or restart the KDS app. Orders queue and will appear. |
| Order showing wrong items | Don't prepare. Contact server to verify and correct the order. |
| Can't mark order done | Try tapping the order card directly. Refresh if needed. |
End of Day
- Verify all orders are completed
- Check no orders stuck in "In Progress"
- Clear any cancelled orders
- Close or log out of KDS
- Report any recurring issues to manager