When should clean plates be made available to customers in a self-serve area?

Clean plates should be made available to customers at the beginning of meal service to ensure that they have everything they need as soon as they start their dining experience. Providing clean plates at the outset not only facilitates proper hygiene practices but also encourages customers to serve themselves promptly without having to wait for plates to be brought out.

Having plates readily available helps maintain the flow of service. Customers are less likely to create congestion in the self-serve area if they can immediately access plates when they arrive. This practice also aligns with food safety regulations, as it minimizes the risk of cross-contamination that can occur if plates are only provided on request or later in the meal service.