What should you do if a guest requests to cancel the last item before finalizing the check?

• A. Cancel the item in the POS and confirm with the guest.
• B. Remove the item from memory and forget.
• C. Wait until after finalizing to cancel.
• D. Cancel the entire check.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is to modify the guest’s bill accurately in the system before it’s closed. When a guest asks to cancel the last item, you should void or cancel that specific line item directly in the POS and then confirm with the guest that it has been removed and that the new total reflects the change. This keeps the order documentation clear and auditable, ensures the kitchen and bar see the correct ticket, and avoids charging the guest for something they didn’t order. It’s best to do this before finalizing the check because once a check is closed, making changes becomes more complicated and may require credits or separate reconciliations. If needed, reprint the updated check so the guest can see the adjusted total. Removing something from memory isn’t reliable or traceable, and canceling the entire check would be unnecessary when only one item needs to be removed.