Hi, I need some advise on how to be a good waiter. Right now I'm 15 and just started to waiter at this diner that just opened up in my town...and we've been packed ever since it got in the newspaper. I really need some advise on how to do it good. Its my first job.
John
2007-12-18 08:32:50 · 6 answers · asked by John 1 in Dining Out ➔ Other - Dining Out
Thanks everyone. Say is there a waiter on here that I could talk to online?
2007-12-18 08:45:02 · update #1
Serving is both hard and easy, I won't make any bones about that. You know the general stuff, smile, be polite to even rude people, keep the drinks filled and make sure to put their order in! Nothing kills your day/night than having forgotten to put the order in. The customers want to kill you, the cook wants to kill you, etc. If you take an order and someone nearby yells for more coffee, say "I'll be right with you!" and PUT THE ORDER IN FIRST. I can't stress that enough.
Know the menu inside and out. Have someone quiz you on it while you're watching TV. Like, you're friend could suddenly say out of the blue "What comes with a Happy Camper? And I'd like a Diet Coke." You say "The Happy Camper comes with your choice of French fries, hashbrowns, or our creamy pasta salad. But we don't have Diet Coke, would Diet Pepsi be OK?" It keeps you sharp. And remember to upsell. Appetizers could come with cheese sauce, ranch, or whatever else the diner has. If you can add that on, the bill gets bigger, and hopefully your tip. Never forget to offer dessert. In fact, suggest it about 3/4 of the way through their meal. Don't just say dessert, mention the name. Like "Save room for dessert, we have homemade lemon meringue, and cherries on homemade poundcake!" That could stop them from being too full, you've suggested something, so they might get a to-go box for the meal and get dessert. Same thing, the ticket goes up.
You'll get the hang of it. Prioritize in your head. "Put order in for 202, coffee to 105, Diet to 208 woman in red shirt, extra napkins to 206 on the way..."
2007-12-18 10:48:09 · answer #1 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing I would do is learn the menu. It is much easier to be a waiter after you know exactly what is on the menu. If they gave you a book or other written information that you need to know, read that. Try to learn as much as you can in training. Practice carrying the tray if you need too. Hope this helps.
2007-12-18 08:41:47 · answer #2 · answered by Pookie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
SArah C has some great advice. Another suggestion would be to see if you can 'tag along' with another more-experienced waiter/ess and learn from him/her.
2007-12-18 08:44:03 · answer #3 · answered by bethanne 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give the customer what he/she wants. Pay attention to their specific needs. Always smile & be courteous.
www.waiter-training.com
2007-12-18 08:40:15 · answer #4 · answered by Cena's hiptoss 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be pleasant, accommodate to there needs, always make sure there food is OK.
2007-12-18 08:40:43 · answer #5 · answered by GreatNeck 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same advice that I posted here would also apply to a waiter:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20071217103407AAxbplO
Good Luck!
2007-12-18 08:41:11 · answer #6 · answered by aylatroy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋