Improving your skills as a diner might seem like an odd ambition, but for those who truly love dining out, getting better at it is a logical move.

There are ground rules that come with being professional, and they have nothing to do with booking under an assumed name or scoring out of 20. Here goes.

1. Do your homework. You’ve heard about this new place. But what is the chef’s background? Dining out starts long before you get to the restaurant. If the cooking style or cuisine is new to you, do a deep dive. Check out their Instagram for current dishes. Professional reviewers are also professional researchers and professional writers.
2. Sit with your back to the wall. You need to see how the rest of the diners are faring, not just you. How disputes are resolved, how staff interact, how the meals are paced, tables cleared, bills paid. Can’t do that if you get the best table in the house, on the window, facing the view.
3. Never order two of the same thing. You have to cover the ground and try as many things as possible without stuffing yourself silly.
4. You don’t have to be a chef, but being a keen home cook really helps. Knowing how dishes should be cooked, and what can go wrong, is a great advantage. It also keeps you humble in the face of greatness.
5. Don’t just taste, analyse. Anyone can eat and know whether they like it or not. Knowing why is more important. Learn to break down flavours, note techniques, recognise classic sauces, and identify spices.
6. Train your radar. By the time you have walked from the restaurant entrance to your table, you should have already learnt so much – from how tables are set to the smells in the air, the amount of activity in the kitchen, and the level of care taken. Hone that radar, it’s your friend.
7. Question everything. You’re Natasha Lyonne in Poker Face and you know bullshit when you hear it. I’ve been told Maremma is a breed of duck when in fact Maremma duck is named for the breed of dog tasked with protecting ducks from harm.
8. Leave your loves and hates at the door. You’re a pro, which means you eat everything and are open to new flavours, tastes and dining concepts. Legitimate dietaries can be managed, but none of this “Ooh, I don’t like sweetbreads” stuff.
9. Leave a tip, and be nice to everyone. Dining out like a professional means paying attention not just to the dining experience, but to those who deliver it. Good reviewers, and diners, help to build a stronger, healthier restaurant culture for everyone.