How should you manage a spill at a guest table?

• A. Apologize, clean up immediately, and offer a replacement if needed.
• B. Blame the guest, wipe with dirty cloth, and leave.
• C. Ignore the spill and continue service.
• D. Ask another guest to help.

Answer: (C)

Handling a spill at a guest table is about service recovery—quick, respectful, and safe. The best approach is to acknowledge the incident with a brief apology, immediately clean up the spill with a clean cloth, and offer a replacement or refreshment if needed to make the guest comfortable again. Cleaning promptly reduces slip hazards, keeps the dining area hygienic, and shows the guest that their comfort matters. This approach demonstrates responsibility and attentiveness, helping maintain trust and a positive dining experience even after an accident. Other choices undermine safety and hospitality: blaming the guest or using a dirty cloth spreads germs and leaves a bad impression, ignoring the spill creates risk and dissatisfaction, and asking another guest to help is awkward and unprofessional.