In-Station Restaurant/Pub: A kitchen and bar rework

[Kaed]

Someone recently said something in a thread that I thought sounded cool. So I came up with some ideas for it. These are just rough idea points, not super fleshed out, but available for discussion.

-The kitchen and bar area are merged into one, with no distinction between areas other than 'this is the back'. The entire area is now a self contained franchise/separate business. They employees may either be specially trained Nanotrasen employees or belong to the child franchise. Not sure on what works better, but we do have the concept of merchants now, who are not crew. It's not a stretch to extend this logic to an in-station restaurant. It also removes the whole concept people have that restaurant food is magically free because it's covered in their payroll.

-Bartenders and chefs and cooks are now merged into one role with multiple titles, with the addition of a 'Waiter/Host' or some variant added in (alternatively, waiters is a single slot third role). All of these roles can access the entire restaurant area. Bartenders are thus capable of going back into the kitchen to make you a plate of cheesy fries, and if asked, a cook with nothing better to do could mix you up something simple like a shirley temple, etc. Knowledge of complicated recipes and drinks should be limited to the specialist roles, and if there is no waiter food can be brought out to customers by the cooks or bartenders themselves. The point of this is an array of roles that are flexible if understaffed or overstaffed with one type, so the whole operation doesn't just shut down if someone is missing.

-Add better support of menu creation in some fashion. Having to format your own menus off of blank papers and have people walk off with them is a hassle. Perhaps a cyber chalkboard sort of sign that can be edited only by restaurant employees and is readable with a click for anyone else.

-Add to-go/doggy bags. These would basically be reskinned boxes that are available en masse, to hand off to people who want to use the To-Go window or take leftovers with them after they eat at a table.

-Better support of charging customers. As this is now a restaurant, food and drink is run for profit. Guidelines for prices should be set, in some fashion so people aren't charging 1000 credits for a pizza, but it should be a collaboration between the employees of the Restaurant. Do they want to play off as a fast food place? A semi posh restaurant with fancy foods? A cash register and card swiper would be cool.

-Allow food items to be redescribed and renamed, making the menu potentially unique between players and allowing some creativity, especially with those horrible procedural generated food items.

-Add a dish washer. Maybe this would just delete plates and other rubbish items, but it's better than throwing them all in the trash as far as a small bit of immersion.

[Trazz666]

-1 from me. It's bad enough when the occasional chef shows up and takes up precious kitchen room, but this is ridiculous. I also despise the idea of the kitchen being a separate franchise. My job has a restaurant inside, and it's employees are with the company. We're not even hailed as "the biggest most successful corporation in the universe". The bar and the kitchen are ribbon roles, they don't need all these suggestions and reworks.

The only decent idea is the renaming and redescribing food aspect. Which is already in-game.

[Kaed]

The only decent idea is the renaming and redescribing food aspect. Which is already in-game.

 

Where and how? I've been pushing for that update for over a year, did someone slip it in when I wasn't looking?

Also, to the rest of that. I get that you don't like the idea of it being a separate restaurant, and I covered already in the OP that they could be nanotrasen employees.

What I don't understand is this bit.

 

It's bad enough when the occasional chef shows up and takes up precious kitchen room

 

It sounds like you're complaining that chefs log in on the first place? And if it's a ribbon role, ribbons can always be made prettier and more fancy. People code things they like coding in an open source setting.

If you, and others commenting after this, could keep the comments focused on problems with this rework idea, rather than your personal dislike of kitchen reworks in general, we might avoid pages and pages of arguing about opinions.

[BurgerBB]

Describing food was already done by me last cycle. https://github.com/Aurorastation/Aurora.3/pull/5174

I honestly love mostly everything else. I think that food should be paid for and that those who work in the kitchen are franchise owners that work independent from NanoTrasen, however before that's done, using the Chef's food must be viable.

People won't be purchasing chef food during the shift I feel if the chef charges for it. Junkfood is just too convenient and lunchboxes exist. This PR also reminds me that I should make people spawn with cash in their pockets.

[Trazz666]

I wasn't complaining about chefs logging in, I'm complaining about the second chef slot. I realize there's 2 of everything in the kitchen for the purpose of dual chefs, but my cheffing style gets clogged up with someone else in the way. I was expressing my distaste for more than 1 person in my dang kitchen, which would be increased by allowing damn bartenders and useless servers. I can smell the traffic jam already lol.

[VTCobaltblood]

Ideas in here that I would definitely like to see:

1. The to-go bags. Because the break rooms exist for a reason, not just to eat donk-pockets and snacks from the vendors in there. Also can imagine this being really nice for many jobs, and overall making the chef more popular.

2. The dish washer. Because yes. Also don't forget to place it in tcomms lounge please

3. Generic role for both the bartender and the chef. Because why wouldn't I be able to get something as simple as a black coffee at the bar if there's only the cook present.

I'm unsure how I feel about the whole proposal overall, however. NT is, after all, the super duper hyper successful corporation. I'd think they included getting free food while at work in the job contract, especially considering that the job isn't your typical 9-to-5 one. However, supporting payment for food could be a nice idea to charge visitors instead of it all just being on the house - perhaps, add the support for charging for food and drinks, but make it simply free if you just swipe your non-visitor ID? I'm not really sure whether or not NT would outsource feeding employees, too. Really, really unsure about all of this. It has both pros and cons.

[Resilynn]

Honestly I think all of this could be cool. Bonus points if we can somehow work in hydroponics to this.

[ben10083]

Not sure I like this, Nanotrasen is the kind of company that wants everything under its roof to be theirs. I may understand this for some of their other stations, but not in their most successful one. -1

[Azande]

Not sure I like this, Nanotrasen is the kind of company that wants everything under its roof to be theirs. I may understand this for some of their other stations, but not in their most successful one. -1

 

We have independent JOURNALISTS, open access to visitors, and external merchants. Bad reasoning tbh.

[Kaed]

Not sure I like this, Nanotrasen is the kind of company that wants everything under its roof to be theirs. I may understand this for some of their other stations, but not in their most successful one. -1

 

'Big company' doesn't always mean 'does everything'. They're a successful mining and research company. Why would they need/want to invest money in a culinary division? Even giants like Wal Mart frequently use in-store restaurants like McDonalds and Subway to cater to people's desire for restaurant foods.

Not only that, but it also could explain the constantly changing bar sign between rounds - the restaurant is a space for franchises to (pay to) come in, serve food to employees of one of the most successful companies in Tau Ceti. Nanotrasen gets paid for allowing these companies the space and time for publicity, instead of having to spend money hiring chefs and bartenders. It's basically only profits for NT, and the restaurant franchise, and the crew, who potentially gets to try new and interesting cuisine all the time. All for the low low cost of some of their imaginary dollars and having to set aside their arbitrary self entitlement to free meals that developed from nowhere specific. (Seriously people, the kitchen has had an EFPOS scanner to charge you since basically the dawn of time. The fact that barely anyone bothers to use it doesn't mean food is 'supposed to' be free)

I'm sure they'll sign some contract that places them under corporate regulations and such, but they might not be actually on NT's payroll. They may also be free to modify the bar and kitchen area while it is 'their turf' without needing to get special signed permission from Engineering (sometimes harder than you'd expect), thus avoiding the security team breathing down their neck for stupid reasons.

Edited November 1, 2018 by Guest

[Kaed]

Not sure I like this, Nanotrasen is the kind of company that wants everything under its roof to be theirs. I may understand this for some of their other stations, but not in their most successful one. -1

 

They're a successful mining and research company. Why would they need/want to invest money in a culinary division? Not only that, but it also could explain the constantly changing bar sign between rounds - the restaurant is a space for franchises to (pay to) come in, serve food to employees of one of the most successful companies in Tau Ceti. Nanotrasen gets paid for allowing these companies the space and time for publicity, instead of having to spend money hiring chefs and bartenders. It's basically only profits for NT, and the restaurant franchise, and the crew, who potentially gets to try new and interesting cuisine all the time.

[ben10083]

Apologies, I should elaborate. I don't mind freelance stuff, but I don't like the idea of NanoTrasen Leasing it's space for private development. (Journalist Office is more for corporate reporter). I feel that privatizing the bar and kitchen and making it so you have to pay for food will just reduce the amount of people who get food/drinks to lower.

[Azande]

Not sure I like this, Nanotrasen is the kind of company that wants everything under its roof to be theirs. I may understand this for some of their other stations, but not in their most successful one. -1

 

'Big company' doesn't always mean 'does everything'. They're a successful mining and research company. Why would they need/want to invest money in a culinary division? Even giants like Wal Mart frequently use in-store restaurants like McDonalds and Subway to cater to people's desire for restaurant foods.

Not only that, but it also could explain the constantly changing bar sign between rounds - the restaurant is a space for franchises to (pay to) come in, serve food to employees of one of the most successful companies in Tau Ceti. Nanotrasen gets paid for allowing these companies the space and time for publicity, instead of having to spend money hiring chefs and bartenders. It's basically only profits for NT, and the restaurant franchise, and the crew, who potentially gets to try new and interesting cuisine all the time.

I'm sure they'll sign some contract that places them under corporate regulations and such, but they might not be actually on NT's payroll.

 

Another bonus of this - people could apply for custom item restaurant signs to personalize their restaurant. I know personally my chef has a full menu in the library with dish descriptions and she calls her work 'Katelynn's Counter' so I'd love to be able to get a sign for it and run it like her own business tbh.

[Conspiir]

It makes sense to me that food would be "free" because I imagine it like a college.

You pay for a meal plan. A big lump sum. And then you can swipe your card for a set number of meals throughout the (semester, but in this case) workyear. This lump sum could be paid for a little bit each month, even, directly from your check.

It's not actually "free". You just don't pay for it directly every single time you want a soda or coffee. Same reason prescriptions are "free". You're paying for it another way.

[Azande]

It makes sense to me that food would be "free" because I imagine it like a college.

You pay for a meal plan. A big lump sum. And then you can swipe your card for a set number of meals throughout the (semester, but in this case) workyear. This lump sum could be paid for a little bit each month, even, directly from your check.

It's not actually "free". You just don't pay for it directly every single time you want a soda or coffee. Same reason prescriptions are "free". You're paying for it another way.

 

Isn't cohesive with lore. Jackboot has been clear that the Service Department is MEANT to make profit on board, that is why the Head of Personnel controls finances.

Additionally, the Bar and Kitchen and Garden spawn with EFTPOS units.

As HoP, I actually do make 'meal plan' cards and people can buy one, and then avoid paying multiple times when the eat or get drinks.

[Conspiir]

Isn't cohesive with lore. Jackboot has been clear that the Service Department is MEANT to make profit on board, that is why the Head of Personnel controls finances.

Additionally, the Bar and Kitchen and Garden spawn with EFTPOS units.

As HoP, I actually do make 'meal plan' cards and people can buy one, and then avoid paying multiple times when the eat or get drinks.

 

That's where the Visitors come in.

They pay for what they get because their plan cards are either down when they aren't working, or they don't work there to have one. Additionally, it could be limited to just one meal per shift and anything more needs to be paid for.

The problem with the meal plan cards is it only lasts one shift. That's why it should be extended to be a lot longer, for a lot more money. The lump sum goes to the service department. It doesn't just disappear. They're making profit.

[Azande]

Isn't cohesive with lore. Jackboot has been clear that the Service Department is MEANT to make profit on board, that is why the Head of Personnel controls finances.

Additionally, the Bar and Kitchen and Garden spawn with EFTPOS units.

As HoP, I actually do make 'meal plan' cards and people can buy one, and then avoid paying multiple times when the eat or get drinks.

 

That's where the Visitors come in.

They pay for what they get because their plan cards are either down when they aren't working, or they don't work there to have one. Additionally, it could be limited to just one meal per shift and anything more needs to be paid for.

The problem with the meal plan cards is it only lasts one shift. That's why it should be extended to be a lot longer, for a lot more money. The lump sum goes to the service department. It doesn't just disappear. They're making profit.

 

So implement this idea to provide restaurant and payment RP for food, but make a 'Meal Plan Card' loadout item that you can take and flash to avoid paying for your food if that kind of interaction with the chef/bartender doesn't interest you.

[VTCobaltblood]

The meal vouchers/meal plan cards at loadout do seem like a good compromise allowing the idea of paying for your food and drinks to exist, but with the ability to opt-out. They can be disallowed for assistants and visitors.

[Snakebittenn]

If a meal plan card is going to exist in the loadout, it's going to reduce your starting money.

[Kaed]

The meal plan card will have to have money invested in it like a credit chip, or otherwise contains a non-reusable token or point.

It has to be redeemed somehow for a meal per shift, otherwise you could have multiple people sharing the same card and that doesn't work. The restaurant is losing profits.

[UnknownMurder]

I think that food should be paid for and that those who work in the kitchen are franchise owners that work independent from NanoTrasen, however before that's done, using the Chef's food must be viable.

 

Like a "Visiting Chef"? If so, I like.

[MoondancerPony]

Not sure I like this, Nanotrasen is the kind of company that wants everything under its roof to be theirs. I may understand this for some of their other stations, but not in their most successful one. -1

 

We have independent JOURNALISTS, open access to visitors, and external merchants. Bad reasoning tbh.

This is misrepresenting my intent when I made the journalism update. They are not "independent". They are freelance journalists that are still contracted to NanoTrasen, but not full employees with NanoTrasen. They are contracted out through a subsidiary or third party, but are not employed with NanoTrasen. Merchants are a weird grey area, and I'm pretty sure they were just ported due to being a fun feature. There's also been a lot of debate over the role of visitors, and as it stands they don't exactly count as employees, which is what this is discussing. They are explicitly not allowed to be promoted to employee positions.

This suggestion, specifically, doesn't seem very interesting. It seems like it'll add another layer of tedium to the already tedious service department; I often see the same people who complain about chair RP complain that people don't sit down in the bar and order from the chef. It's this weird catch-22, and I don't see how it adds any fun to the experience.

I'm not sure how this is supposed to make the game more fun, exactly. It's not going to get people who aren't interested by that kind of thing to do it, because they're not interested in an out-of-character way and nothing's really going to change that. Adding a meal plan card in the loadout won't help, either, because then everyone could spawn with one, and we'd get complaints about powergaming the chef with meal cards. It has a few neat ideas, but I don't really want to address them as I've been seeing way too many "Overhaul X entirely" threads that have more than one suggestion in them, breaking the very first rule at the top of the page when you post. "One Suggestion per Thread".

I'm not going to vote for dismissal, but I'll say that I don't like this idea very much, and it seems to be trying to do too many things at once. In its current state, this gets a -1 from me, personally.

[Kaed]

I've been seeing way too many "Overhaul X entirely" threads that have more than one suggestion in them, breaking the very first rule at the top of the page when you post. "One Suggestion per Thread"

 

That rule is intended to keep people from creating mass suggestion threads with a bunch of unrelated things. Overhauls are conceptually one suggestion, even if they contain multiple parts. Can you imagine how obnoxious it would be if people wanting to do/have a large rework project had to post 4-8 threads in quick succession?

 

This is misrepresenting my intent when I made the journalism update. They are not "independent". They are freelance journalists that are still contracted to NanoTrasen, but not full employees with NanoTrasen. They are contracted out through a subsidiary or third party, but are not employed with NanoTrasen.

 

This is almost literally what I have been saying would be the setup. Freelance employees that are not full employees of Nanotrasen, with their own goals. Restaurant employees imported by Nanotrasen. You are arguing without an actual ground to defend.

[VTCobaltblood]

The meal plan card will have to have money invested in it like a credit chip, or otherwise contains a non-reusable token or point.

It has to be redeemed somehow for a meal per shift, otherwise you could have multiple people sharing the same card and that doesn't work. The restaurant is losing profits.

One token. If you bring the HoP a used card, they can give you a new one, but no more than three per shift. The card isn't supposed to bring profits to the restaraunt - it's supposed to give workers free food.

Perhaps we could allow these only for Medical, Research and Command, as the highest-paying jobs, making these somewhat a sign of prestige - NT paying for your lunch out of their pocket sure is prestigious, right?

[Kaed]

You guys aren't looking at this the right way, and viewing the issue through a lens of ignorant entitlement. I've spoken with several older family members and friends about their experiences with jobs and food access, and this is what I found:

(Pre-emptive addendum: This is not particularly about arguments on the lines of "it's the future, culture may have changed". You can use that to make up any shit you want, like that cannibalism became legal and accepted, or that everyone eats protein paste now. We draw concepts from our modern culture to put content into this game, especially from the cooking angle)

-None of them have worked in a job that was not food service that provided free food to their employees, with the sole exception of jobs that were somewhere very remote like a coal mine or oil rig, where there is no where nearby to go and shop.

-On-location cafeterias are not paid for by the company with the exception of special events like holidays or special events, where a managerial staff might buy everyone a meal on company budget.

-Certain jobs with on-site restaurants offer their employees benefits regarding the restaurant, like discounts or being able to get pre-paid meal tokens. Sometimes, they take extra out of your paycheck for the discounts.

With that in mind, here's what I think I will do with this:

Meal Tokens:

These are brought with you via loadout, similar to how you can bring a lunchbox. They entitle you to one 'meal' with the restaurant that is in that day. Generally, this will involve a 'daily special' or option of several things, a drink, and maybe a desert or side. What constitutes the 'meal' offer should be up to the restaurant of the day, within what ever reasonable limitations they put up. These tokens are given to the restaurant staff and are destroyed on site with some machine akin to a paper shredder. One use only. The implication is your employee paid for this and it is a voucher for one meal. Maybe the HoP will have a box of them?

NT Gourmand Club Membership Card :

These are special cards available to employees who want to join the Gourmand club (via loadout). They come in Silver, Gold, and Platinum membership, providing something like 10%, 30%, and 50%+1 Free meal. These are simply presented for their benefits. Normal crew members get Silver, Heads get Gold, and only the captain may be in the prestigious Platinum Club. Might even be fun to add a special room exclusively for Platinum Club members. For lunch with the cappie.