The importance of patient identifiers cannot be understated. It must become habit that every patient interaction includes asking these 2 items.
DO NOT feel awkward or weird by asking the patient identifiers. All hospital staff ask the patient their name and date of birth (DOB). It will be become a routine for the patient; therefore, it will be routine for you to ask them.
By asking the patient their name and DOB, you will ensure that you are interacting with the CORRECT patient. It is easy to get in a rush and forget to ask but it will prevent improper food transactions. You do not want to be responsible for a patient receiving something their diet forbids.