Special Note - Don't forget Destination 10 Part II at the National ASHFSA Preconference in Orlando, June 30, 2002. Please help spread the word. Sign up on www.ASHFSA.org. Send us anyone that needs a D/10 tune-up or shot in the arm!

Patient Tray Appearance Enhancement
Side Dishes & Accessories - April 2002

THE CHALLENGE – TRAYS NOT ATTRACTIVE
Fitting all the various food items on to patient trays in an attractive manner continues to be a huge challenge to most food service directors. Patient trays fully assembled continue to look cluttered and messy. What we do in our Destination 10 program to improve the appearance of patient trays is called "tray re-imaging". 

OUR FINDINGS 
It has been our experience that a patient meal is much easier to make attractive on a 15" x 20" tray than on a smaller tray. We have found that bread and butter, or dessert plates and "monkey" (fruit) dishes that measure up to 5" - 6" in diameter with a 1/2" lip or edge around them are generally too large for our patient trays. These pieces look overpowering on the tray and take too much valuable space. We suggest using the narrowest rimmed or rimless china side dishes as possible. In short, use small side dishes to allow more room for other items and to allow the tray to look less cramped and cluttered.

YOUR OPTIONS 
There are several small "monkey" dishes (fruit side dishes) that are rimless and low profile that help solve the limited space, cluttered, cramped tray issue. They are: 

• An unbreakable, rimless Cambro monkey dish approximately 4" in diameter. 
  Manufacturers code # 350CW 

• A Carlisle monkey dish with a small pedestal type bottom exists that is only
  approximately 4" diameter and holds only 3-4 oz. Manufacturers code # NO875 

• A Brite White China Fruit Dish found through Sysco Manufacturers #4104147 

• There is also a small, unbreakable, reasonably priced condiment cup from
  Carlisle Manufacturers code # NS280 (approximately $.80/ea.) which takes up minimal space. We are sure that there are more examples of smaller side dishes that work well - if you have one you'd like to share with us just e-mail us at chefdon@cox.net.

ANOTHER TIP 
The retherm tray system that permanently separates hot food to one side and cold food to the other (see photo #3 below) via a permanent seam can be visually enhanced but not to the 10 level. So take this into consideration when purchasing new tray systems. The overall appearance of the tray does matter because people eat with their eyes as well as their taste buds. In our opinion, the type of tray system and tray size does affect patient satisfaction scores.

#1. Bad Looking Tray Arrangement And Food
(Click here for more details)

#2. Good Looking Tray Arrangement And Food
(Click here for more details)


#3. This Type System Not Recommended If 
Overall Tray Appearance Is Important

Don Miller, R.D., C.E.C.
Nancy Yezzi, R.D., L.D.
Bill Klein, C.I.C.
Success Coaches

Don Miller and Associates
346 Crestview Drive
Bonita, CA 91902
(619) 656-2100 PST
(619) 656-1321 fax
chefdon@cox.net
http://www.chefdon.com