Bromcom Dinners – Setting Up Menu Choices vs Set Menus
Issue
Users want to allow staff, students, or parents to mix and match items from different meal sections (for example, starters, mains, and desserts) but are finding that the menu is restricting the available choices.
Explanation
When setting up dinner menus in Bromcom, it can be helpful to think of the meal choices as separate menu categories:
- Meal Choice 1 – Starter options
- Meal Choice 2 – Main course options
- Meal Choice 3 – Dessert options
If you want users to be able to select items freely from different sections, all of those options should be placed within the same Meal Choice category (for example, Meal Choice 1). This allows users to mix and match their selections rather than being restricted to a predefined combination.
What is a Set Menu?
A Set Menu is a fixed meal package where the items are grouped together and offered as a single choice. Users select the set menu itself rather than choosing individual items from multiple menu sections.
Set Menu Items
Set Menu Items are typically used for items that are included with a meal regardless of which main option is selected. Common examples include:
- A piece of fruit
- A drink
- A pudding offered to all pupils
- Any side item that automatically accompanies every meal
For example, if every lunch option comes with a bottle of water and a piece of fruit, these can be configured as Set Menu Items so they are automatically included, regardless of whether the pupil chooses the meat, vegetarian, or jacket potato option.
Examples
| Setup Type | Result |
| Separate Meal Choices (Starters in Choice 1, Mains in Choice 2, Desserts in Choice 3) | Users choose from each category as configured. |
| All items placed in Meal Choice 1 | Users can select from all available options and mix and match as required. |
| Set Menu | Users select a predefined meal package containing fixed items. |
| Set Menu with Set Menu Items | Users select their meal option, and any included items (such as fruit or a drink) are automatically added. |
Outcome
- For flexible meal selection, place all available options within the same Meal Choice category.
- For fixed meal combinations, create a Set Menu.
- For items that are always included regardless of meal choice, use Set Menu Items. This is particularly useful for drinks, fruit, or other accompaniments that every diner should receive.