Waitress Training?

Question

I've eaten out at thousands of restaurants, and I can't think of one case where I've seen two waitresses take my order because one was in "training". Not knowing the business, I'm rather ignorant. How do new waitresses get trained?

Answer 1

Most of the time they do not get trained. Since employee turnover in the restaurant business is 200%+ a year, it's usually (except in more upscale/non-chain places) trial by fire. Also, since most of these employees are young, they are developmentally too self-centered to care about the needs of others, further decreasing the integrity of the situation. However, unless you want to pay double for your food at an Applebee's or Olive Garden, that's the situation we're in.

Answer 2

It is actually a bit of a proccess that lasts about a week depending on the restaraunt. At my restaraunt the new server first has to take tests on the menu and then shadows the tranier server to see what they need to do at a table. They need to see how to take an order, how to put it into the computer, when there are appertizers, when to put those in and then how long to wait until the meals go in so that all the food comes out at the right time. They also need to learn how to deal with problems and how to talk to customers. After they shadow a server for a few days they most likely get a section of about 2 tables of thier own and move up from there are they become stronger. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

While it depends on the restaurant, most chians train by the following manner:
1. you watch videos about service, serving alcohol, dealing with customers, etc.
2. you study the menu and learn the different foods & possible suggested wine/beer pairings.
3. you shadow an experienced waitperson and gradually take the tables as your own, under that person's supervision.
4. there are usually menu tests and/or service tests.
5. you're usually given a small section with just a few tables to start out until you are comfortable and more adept at waiting tables.

Answer 4

I don't think there's much that a waitress does that can be taught. Most of what a waitress does you can learn by observation whenever you eat in a restaurant. The harder parts, like responding cheerfully and keeping on good terms with the customers and the cooking staff, you either do naturally, or learn as you go, or you might never pick it up.

Answer 5

You just missed the two waitresses. Thats how theyre trained, in all the restaurants ive worked at.

You study the menue for a couple days, and then follow another waitress around for a few days to learn how to take orders.

Some how you just missed it.

Answer 6

Usually, you get a bit of a run down in "training" in which they make you learn the menu. Some places even have you take a quiz on what is included in certain orders.

For my first waiting job, I spent half of my first evening following around someone who had worked there for at least a year. It was just to get a feel for everything. Plus, she had one leg in a cast and needed the help. Hehh.

Answer 7

Well the new server will follow the trained server all day for about 3 days and then they can go on the floor by them self.
The sad thing is that when the server being trained does all the work and they dont even get the tip for them self.
hope that helps

Answer 8

they get trained by another waitress.

Answer 9

That's pretty impressive, I think. Which restaurant was it? Was the service outstanding?

Answer 10

I have - several times - don't know of any other way for them to learn but to watch!@~