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Kitchen Management (KDS)

Overview​

The Kitchen Management module (often called KDS - Kitchen Display System) is designed for chefs and kitchen staff. Once a Front-of-House staff member confirms an order and prints the KOT, the order details immediately appear on the Kitchen Dashboard.

This module allows the kitchen team to:

  • View incoming orders sorted by category (e.g., Main Kitchen, Bar/Beverages).
  • Track the cooking status of individual items.
  • Notify waiters when food is ready for pickup.
  • Automatic Inventory Deduction: The system automatically reduces ingredient stock levels when an item is marked as prepared.

Key Status Definitions:

  • Pending (Orange): The order has been received but cooking has not started.
  • Preparing (Blue): The kitchen team is currently cooking/making the item.
  • Ready (Green): The item is plated and waiting at the pass for a waiter.
  • Delivered (Grey): The item has been served to the customer.

Prerequisites​

  • Subscription Plan: Lite/Plus/Max
  • User Permission Required: kds_access, kds_update_status
  • Hardware: KDS tablets/screens in kitchen stations, stable Wi‑Fi, optional label printer

Step-by-Step Guide​

Guide 1: Access Kitchen Orders​

Objective: Navigate to the specific kitchen station to view relevant orders.

  1. Select Kitchen Area: From the main Kitchen Dashboard, you will see different categories (e.g., Cakes & Pastries, Hot Beverages, Main Courses).
  2. Enter the Station: Click the blue ENTER button next to the relevant category (e.g., "Main Kitchen").
  3. Review Incoming Orders:
    • You will see cards for each active order.
    • Header Details: Check the Service Type (Takeaway/Pick up) and Order Time to prioritize urgency.
    • Item List: View the specific items (e.g., Veg Burger, Fries) required for that order.

Guide 2: Update Cooking Status (Start Preparation)​

Objective: Signal that the kitchen has started working on an item.

  1. Locate the Item: Find the specific item (e.g., Fries) inside the order card.
  2. Check Current Status: By default, a new item shows a yellow/orange Pending button.
  3. Start Cooking: Click the Pending button.
    • The status immediately changes to Preparing (Blue button).
    • This informs the management team that the order is in progress.

Guide 3: Mark Item as Ready (Inventory Deduction)​

Objective: Signal that the food is cooked and plated. This step triggers the stock update.

  1. Finish Preparation: Once the item is cooked and placed at the serving counter.
  2. Update Status: Click the Preparing button.
    • The status changes to Ready (Green button).
  3. System Action: At this moment, the UniDiner system automatically deducts the ingredients used for this item from inventory stock.

Guide 4: Mark as Delivered (Waiter Handoff)​

Objective: Clear the item from the kitchen screen and confirm the customer has received it.

Note: This step is usually performed by the Waiter or Runner picking up the food.

  1. Pickup: The waiter collects the Ready items from the counter.
  2. Confirm Delivery: Click the Ready button.
    • The status changes to Delivered (Grey tag).
  3. Final Order Status:
    • Once all individual items in an order card are marked Delivered, the entire order card is considered complete in the kitchen view.
    • The Front-of-House Order Management screen reflects that the customer has their food.

Outcome​

  • Orders flow seamlessly from confirmation (KOT printed) to kitchen visibility.
  • Real-time status updates improve coordination between kitchen and floor staff.
  • Inventory levels reduce automatically when items reach Ready.
  • Kitchen view clears items upon Delivered, keeping dashboards focused on active work.
  • Order Management Overview: ./index
  • Confirm Order and Generate KOT: ./confirm-order-kot
  • Process Payment: ./payment-processing
  • POS: Finalize an Order: ../pos-and-register/finalizing-order