Pre-Shift Briefing Sheet: Printable Kitchen Huddle Form
A pre-shift briefing sheet is a one-page plan for the five-minute huddle before service. Everyone leaves knowing the forecast, the specials, what is unavailable, the allergen notes and their own station.
What is inside
- Date, shift and who leads the briefing, with forecast covers, bookings and local factors
- Today: specials, items that are unavailable, allergen and diet notes, prep priorities and waste focus
- A stations table with cook, key task and backup
- Feedback from the last shift and a team sign-in
It suits restaurants, hotels and caterers that run separate lunch and dinner services.
Download
Frequently asked questions
How long should the briefing take?
Keep it to about five minutes, standing up, and lead with the points that change the service.
Why write it down?
Anything said aloud is forgotten by the second hour of service. A sheet also gives the next shift a record of what worked.
How to use this form
- Print one sheet per service.
- Fill in the forecast, bookings and any local factors that change trade.
- List specials, unavailable items, allergen notes and prep priorities.
- Assign a cook, a key task and a backup to each station.
- Run the briefing with the team and have everyone sign in.
- At the end of the shift, write what worked and what went wrong for the next lead.
