Restaurant bill › Kitchen order ticket

KOT: the kitchen order ticket

A KOT tells the kitchen exactly what to cook for which table. Good KOT habits stop missed dishes, double cooking and arguments at billing time.

What a KOT shows

• KOT number for that table (1, 2, 3…)
• Table number, or Takeaway / Delivery
• Time and the waiter’s name
• Each dish with quantity, in large print
• Kitchen notes: "less spicy", "no onion", "Jain"

A KOT has no prices. It is not a bill and is not given to the guest.

The flow

1. The waiter takes the order and adds the dishes to the table.
2. Print KOT (new items) sends only the dishes not yet sent. Each line is marked "Sent to kitchen on KOT 1".
3. The guests order more: add the dishes and print KOT 2. Only the new dishes print.
4. Save table, take next order keeps the table running. Its button at the top shows the amount so far.
5. At the end, open the table and press Settle and print bill. Every KOT’s dishes are on the bill, so nothing is missed.

Printing KOTs

A KOT prints on the same thermal printer as bills, or on a second printer in the kitchen if the device can print to it. On a phone, Share sends the KOT as a PDF, for example to the kitchen’s WhatsApp.

Good habits

• Never cook from a spoken order; cook only from a KOT.
• Cancelled dish? Reduce the quantity on the table before billing, and tell the kitchen.
• Check running tables before closing: every table should be settled or carried over.
• Match the day’s settled bills with cash, UPI and card received.