If a guest asks for a substitution due to dietary restriction not on the menu, what is required before offering?

• A. Immediately substitute without approval.
• B. Decline and offer no alternatives.
• C. Check with management and kitchen about possible substitutions or accommodations.
• D. Suggest they pick a different dish and end the convo.

Answer: (C)

When a guest has a dietary restriction that isn’t on the current menu, the right move is to involve the management and the kitchen before offering any substitution. This ensures the kitchen can verify what ingredients are safe, how substitutions would affect preparation (including potential cross-contact), and whether a suitable alternative actually exists. It protects the guest from unsafe ingredients, prevents miscommunication, and keeps service standards consistent.

If you jump in with a substitution right away, you may risk allergen exposure or cross-contamination, and you could promise something that isn’t feasible. On the other hand, declining and offering no alternatives or simply steering the guest to another dish without exploring possibilities is poor hospitality and doesn’t honor the guest’s needs. By checking with the right people, you show care for the guest’s safety and a commitment to accommodating them whenever possible, even if it means finding a different option or confirming that a safe substitution isn’t available.