While on the topic of tipping...?

Question

If you are a guest at the chef's table of a restaurant and the meal is gratis, do you still tip the servers? And if so, how much?

Answer 1

Yes you tip on the full price you would have paid. When I used to get comped meals and shows in Las Vegas that was the rule we were supposed to follow.

Answer 2

Yes. The servers are still working and spending the same amount of time on you as they would if you were paying for your meal. It is polite to tip the servers as much as you would if you had paid for the meal. The restaurant only comps you the price of the meal, it doesn't tip the servers for you (and at 2.15 an hour we NEED those tips). But most servers expect to get stiffed from a comped meal because a large number of people think that 'comped' means they don't have to spend any money at all. (In fact if you really want to make your server's night, tip double what you would have normally. Since the meal is free you're still coming out ahead)

Answer 3

Well, if the meal is on the house, the chef does not tip the server. They basically waited on that table for free. So, depending on the type of restaurant, estimate on how much your bill would have been, and then give a generous tip (20%). It is always appreciated by the server. If not, the server will end up asking for something in return from the chef, such as a free meal, etc...

Answer 4

Of course you would still tip! The server is still waiting on you, and giving your his/her service. Think about it. Your table is one that they have in place of another. If you weren't tipping him/her it is a complete waste, when they could have made a tip on another table.

Also- you are lucky enough to not have to pay for dinner, you should leave a tip. How much is your own choice.
See if other people are putting money in, and try to base your tip on what the bill would have been, and I would honestly tip a little more, since your meal was free. If I were in that situation I would take the average of what the check would have been and tip probably 30-40% as long as the service was good, otherwise 20%.

Answer 5

I would Look around to see if anyone else is tipping, if you see any $$$ go down as people leave, then sure, the servers are attending to your needs, (water refills, asking how you are, bringing plates, cleaning up after you) Just tip what you think is fair. But since your at the chef's table, make sure you give lots of positive remarks about your food (unless the food actually sucks)

If you want to be really nice, drop $100 in a envelope, and give it to the manager to split with the kitchen crew. They do the real work, and deserve a break once in a while!!!

Answer 6

I was at a diner where the waitress actually forgot for sometime to place my order with the cook, and when I brought it to her attention, she offered to give me my meal free of charge.... I certainly felt that she deserved a tip, and I did.... base the tip on the percentage you would tip if you had to pay for the meal, i guess..,

Answer 7

Yes. They're still providing the service, whether or not you paid. 15-20% of what the meal would have cost.

Answer 8

I do because its still there job i usually go 16 to 18 percent, but good servers are such a rare commodity so if they suck i go Rachel Ray style of tipping.(which we all know isn't crap)

Answer 9

Depends which part of the world you're in. In some countries the waitstaff are so poorly paid that they depend on tips as part of their income.

Answer 10

I leave a tip in the amount of the original bill.

(The whole bill, not just 20%!!)