Purpose

This SOP explains how guides should introduce restaurant partners and tell their stories accurately.

Restaurant stories should create appreciation for the people, food, and ideas behind each stop without using rumors, outdated information, or exaggerated claims.

Use Approved Information

Restaurant introductions should come from:

• The Carlsbad Food Tours Storytelling Playbook
• Approved restaurant profiles
• Verified owner or chef information
• Current management updates
• Reliable published sources
• Information provided directly by the restaurant

Do not rely on casual gossip, old reviews, or assumptions.

Include the Essential Story Elements

A strong introduction may include:

• Restaurant name
• Owner, founder, or chef
• Opening year
• Type of cuisine
• Inspiration behind the concept
• Signature dish or tasting
• Connection to Carlsbad
• Community or family story
• What makes the restaurant distinctive

Select the most meaningful details rather than reciting every available fact.

Confirm Changing Information

Restaurant information can change. Verify:

• Current ownership
• Executive chef
• Menu concept
• Opening date
• Awards
• Locations
• Operating status
• Signature dishes

Tell management when the Playbook needs an update.

Separate Fact From Opinion

Avoid unsupported claims such as:

• “This is the best restaurant in Carlsbad.”
• “Everyone agrees this is the most authentic.”
• “They are always busy.”
• “This dish is completely healthy.”
• “The chef invented this recipe.”

Use accurate language:

“This restaurant is known locally for…”

Or:

“One of the dishes guests frequently enjoy here is…”

Allow the Restaurant to Speak

When an owner, chef, or staff member is available, give them room to tell their story.

Introduce them respectfully and avoid repeating everything they are about to share.

Correcting an Error

If you realize you gave incorrect information, correct it briefly:

“Let me correct that—the restaurant opened in 2018.”

Notify management afterward so the training material can be reviewed.

Performance Standard

A trained guide should:

• Use approved facts
• Pronounce names correctly
• Avoid exaggeration
• Separate history from opinion
• Update outdated information
• Represent every restaurant respectfully