🍳 Operating the Kitchen Display System
The KDS eliminates verbal order communication and gives your kitchen a clear, organized queue of all incoming orders. Here's how to use it effectively.
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Open KDS on your kitchen device The KDS automatically launches on the device configured for kitchen mode. It's usually a dedicated tablet or screen mounted at eye level near the pass-through area. The screen shows all active orders in real-time.
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New orders appear automatically When a waiter sends an order from the front, it instantly appears on your KDS as a new card at the top. Each order card shows: table number, items to prepare, any modifiers (extra spice, no salt, etc.), and special notes from the waiter.
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Mark as In Preparation when you start cooking Tap the order card to mark it as "In Preparation." The card color changes (usually turns yellow or orange) so your team knows this order is actively being worked on. This prevents duplicate cooking.
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Mark as Ready when plating is complete Once the dish is fully plated and ready to serve, tap Mark Ready on the order. The card color changes again (usually turns green), and the waiter/captain gets an alert on their screen that Table X is ready for pickup.
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Monitor order timers for delays Orders that are taking longer than normal automatically get highlighted in orange or red. This signals your team to prioritize or check on that dish. You can see at a glance which orders need attention.
💡 Pro Tips:
- Mount the KDS tablet at eye level and keep it within arm's reach for fastest response to new orders.
- Keep the brightness high so kitchen staff can see the screen clearly even during bright daylight hours.
- Color-coded order cards help you scan the kitchen status at a glance — red = behind, yellow = in progress, green = ready.
- Check the order timer — it shows preparation time, helping you estimate when the next batch should be ready.
Order Status Workflow
- New Order: Just received from waiter — needs to be marked In Preparation
- In Preparation: Kitchen is actively cooking — team members can see this is taken
- Ready: Dish is plated — waiter is notified and will come to pickup
- Served: Waiter marks this after customer gets the food