WAITER TIPS|TRAINING

Waiter Basics for Beginners

WAITER TRAINING|OVERVIEW

Welcome to Foodsteward.com,or the "Lost Art of Waitering" website. It is ground zero for all things culinary from a service standpoint.

As any seasoned fine dining professional will attest, communication is the key,followed closely by product knowledge. Whether describing food, wine, or spirits...or performing tableside food service tasks, facility with language will come into play. Speaking well is so elemental, it is often taken for granted. Don't. Cultivation of this ability can easily help you earn upwards of $40,000 or more.

The concept, though not simple is basic. All one needs to ask is: How would I treat a guest in my home or how would I like to be treated as a guest? Everything else is polish.

Why I created this site.

For the guests, and prospective waitstaff.
Since I'm still in the restaurant business, guests I attend frequently tell me of other places they've dined, and recite various instances of receiving less than "stellar service"!
They wonder why this is so? In my opinion, it has to do with training and experience. Lack of exposure to other types of service(french, english, russian, etc...) can also play its' part.
The trend today seems to be chefs are opening the newer venues, which is great for the food, however if experienced dining room management isn't also recruited, some of the finer points of upscale dining can remain unadressed.
This website is my attempt at addressing some of these concerns, and your support is appreciated.

We will approach this endeavour as if you are a novice and have just been hired. You have two weeks(don't burn bridges with your previous employer, you may not like this place!) before you start. Obtain a copy of the menu and winelist. If the establishment doesn't serve wine,you might want to rethink this choice to a more upscale venue. While reviewing the menu, keep aware of things like what the check average might be. In other words, how much does the average guest spend here. Ideally, an average of at least $40.00 per person is desirable, focus on quality not quantity! Notice how the menu is laid out, in terms of creativity and/or simplicity. This is a direct reflection of the chef and his culinary vision. Speaking of the chef; who is he/she?,what credentials, experience,schooling etc. does the chef possess. This can be an invaluable guide in determing which venue to choose.

The Greeting/Introduction

This is the most crucial contact you will have is with the guest, for this is where the tone is set. You must attend the table as quickly as possible, and here is where the opportunity to "read" the table is made readily apparent.Introduce yourself along with a proper salutation, prior to taking the beverage order. Learn to listen and observe. Are they discussing business, is this a celebration, are they unwinding after a busy day, or do they just wish a pleasant dinner.Whatever the case you must glean the tenor of their needs. Even when busy, you must at least find the time to acknowledge their presence, and let them know you will be with them as soon as possible.

Let me say this at the outset. YOUR DUTY AS A WAITER IS TO FACILLITATE THE GUESTS DINING EXPERIENCE. You are a non-entity, and they are GUESTS. They are ladies and gentlemen, not" folks", "you guys", or "you all. Remain polite and cordial,but not overly familiar.
My rule of thumb is: If it's not a menu item, we shouldn't be discussing it. As time passes, you will have repeat guests that become "regulars/requests" and the above parameters will ease a bit. During this first contact with the guest, you will need to ascertain whether or not there are time constraints, if they want to relax awhile with their beverages,or move right on to appetizers or dinner.

The specialties need to be described,recommendations made, if they wish, as well as a brief overview of the menu in terms of what comes with the entrees,and any other available options i.e., a la carte(unincluded) items like soups, sides etc. Mentally, you are a WAITER(you too ladies), a waiter attends the guest,and sells via product knowledge. You are not a SERVER (although for ease of reference you may be referred to as such), a server just takes orders!

In most cases, dinner is served in 5 courses, excluding cocktails, after dinner drinks and formal dinners with more than one entree.
Appetizer, soup, salad, entree,and dessert. Guests having like courses should be served together.
The exception will be if a guest wants soup or salad or some variable thereof with which to start their meal.
When serving food, it should be to the guests left with the left hand,and the plate rotated in a way the protein(as opposed to the veggie or starch) is closest to the guest. Beverages are served from the right with the right hand, the rule being, whichever hand is the least intrusive,and makes your body most open to the guest is preferred, backhanded serving is hackish.
Soiled plates are cleared from the right. Whether handling stemware,flatware,china etc. one should only touch the stems,handles or rims respectively. In the case of glassware with no handle, by the center of the glass or lower.Coffee/tea/espresso/cappucino service, handle loop should be between 3:00-5:00 o'clock with respect to the guest.
In most fine dining venues, there is,or should be a reference point from which a guests position number is determined. It may be the seat closest to the kitchen, or when facing a specific direction in the dining room. Where ever it is, the order proceeds clockwise from that point,or the first seat to the left. All items consumed must be in the right seat number, thus, someone other than you may serve the table when the need arises.