The Food Chain - How to order a restaurant meal like a pro
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With dining out becoming an increasingly expensive luxury, we find out how to order the perfect restaurant meal with top tips from a panel of seasoned pros.
The Irish Times food critic, Corinna Hardgrave, veteran server and podcast host Brittany Felton and chef and hospitality advisor James Knight-Pacheco join Ruth Alexander to discuss how to make the most of a well-deserved meal from your hard-earned money. They cover everything from sharing dishes, whether to trust a waiter’s recommendations and if it’s best to stick to what you know – or try something more adventurous when visiting a restaurant with friends or family.
We get the inside track from the diner’s table to the wait staff and of course the kitchen. Brittany Felton explains how her 15-year career as a server means she can quickly assess a table’s needs, even to the extent of working out what kind of meal and evening the diners would like to have.
Corinna Hardgrave shares advice from her 20-plus years as a professional restaurant critic, including how to stay in control if you experience pushy or impatient wait staff when eating out.
And chef James Knight-Pacheco shares his insight on when is the best time to order the special – and when to avoid certain dishes on a menu.
Producer: Sam Clack and Niamh McDermott
Sound engineer: Hal Haines
(Image: Waitress taking the order of a group of friends eating at a restaurant - stock photo. Credit: Getty Images)
Published on Wednesday, 1st July 2026.
Available Podcasts from The Food Chain
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