Congratulate the chef

A small gesture for you, a real treat for them

When you’re really pleased with a meal you’ve just had at a restaurant, it’s polite not to stop at a simple “That was very good”—which is the bare minimum—but to add a little phrase like: “Could you please pass on our compliments to the chef and his team?”

For us as customers, it’s just a few words, but in the kitchen, that message makes a big difference.
The chef and his team generally work away from the dining room, unable to see the customers’ faces or hear their reactions. They like to say that they watch the plates as they’re returned, and empty plates make them happy, but that’s not the whole story.
So this little note, passed on by the waitstaff, tells them something they can’t necessarily perceive directly: Their cooking is working, their dishes were truly enjoyed, and their work has touched one or more customers.
It’s a powerful signal sent to the kitchen—far more meaningful than a simple smile in the dining room.
Especially since the kitchen is, unfortunately, more accustomed to receiving messages from unhappy customers—that is, to being yelled at by dissatisfied guests. It’s just human nature: we only speak up when we’re unhappy; when everything’s going well, we just don’t say anything.
This message therefore also holds special value because it’s spontaneous—unlike an online review, which is often carefully considered and sometimes written in the cold of the moment— Compliments offered as guests leave the table are immediate and sincere; they come at just the right moment, when the excitement of the meal is still fresh (and before the check arrives, as the cynics might say :-).

And let’s not forget the waitstaff either—they, too, played a part in the wonderful meal you enjoyed, and a kind word for them as you leave is also a much-appreciated touch.

And then, you can take it a step further

Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from following up with a positive review on online platforms—a rating or a detailed comment—which is helpful and makes a difference in a restaurant’s visibility.
But you have to find the time—or the motivation—to write a review to express your satisfaction, whereas a quick note slipped to the server requires no special effort and has an immediate impact.

Speaking of online reviews, a friend of mine who’s a baker told me that he’s noticed that for many people, posting a review is mainly about complaining about something that went wrong—unfortunately, people are more motivated to post to vent than to praise the establishment. Let’s try to avoid that.

In summary: The next time someone asks you, “How was it?” after an excellent meal, go a step beyond a simple polite compliment and ask that your compliments be passed on to the kitchen.
It’s a small gesture, but it often makes a real difference to those who hear it.