Sampling Stops Waste

Geno’s Chowder, in Portsmouth, N.H., has a great idea for avoiding plate waste: samples. As this article discusses,

At Geno’s, a customer can sample anything — from the chowders to the lobster meat — before making his or her choice. Fernald said she hated to see food wasted and this way the customer gets to make sure they want what they’re ordering.

While this idea wouldn’t work in all restaurants, it’s a neat idea. If diners don’t dislike their food, there’s a much better chance the restaurant won’t be tossing mostly full plates.

The idea reminds me of sampling schemes in ice cream shops. I often try out different flavors before deciding and I’ve never left an ice cream cone unfinished. Then again, who has?