What is pivot seating?

• A. Seating by color-coded zones.
• B. Using seat numbers around the table to keep track of who had what.
• C. Seating by server shift.
• D. Seating left to right alphabetically.

Answer: (B)

Pivot seating relies on using seat numbers around the table as a quick, universal reference to track which guest has received which course or item. By assigning and noting seat numbers, servers can move around the table in a smooth flow (pivot around the guests) and ensure the right dishes and drinks go to the right people, even when multiple servers are involved. This system provides a clear way to monitor progression and avoid mix-ups.

The other approaches don’t fit because color-coded zones don’t tie back to individual guests in a way that tracks each person’s course history, seating-by-shift focuses on staffing rather than guest progression, and alphabetical left-to-right seating doesn’t give a reliable reference for what each guest has already received.