Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “answer allergen and dietary questions from servers and guests”

Here is the best way to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

20 min
typically, every day
50%
of the time can be automated
Easy
to set up

Fix 1 of 1

Process fix

Keep one allergen matrix built from the recipes, at the pass and on the POS

An allergen matrix generated from your spec sheets (recipe software can do this, or AI can draft it) answers most server questions instantly. The chef only gets asked about real edge cases.

Typically saves about 45% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1List every dish with its sub-recipes and sauces.
  2. 2Build the matrix from the recipes in your recipe software, or have AI draft it from your spec sheets and check every line yourself.
  3. 3Post it at the pass and add allergen notes to the POS menu items.
  4. 4Update it whenever a recipe or supplier changes, and date it.

Tools: Restaurant365, MarketMan or Meez · ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot · Toast, Square, Lightspeed, Clover or Shopify POS

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Chef / kitchen lead

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Take the free check Scan my team, $49

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for Chef / kitchen leads