| The waiter (and waitress as well, but for | | | | you have checked on them and they have |
| convenience we are lumping everyone into one | | | | everything they need, allow them to enjoy their |
| term) are the face of any food and beverage | | | | meal. |
| establishment. These men and women are on the | | | | - Keep an eye on guests. In connection with the |
| front line any restaurant and the services they | | | | last point, while you don't want to hover over |
| offer. One could argue that the services of a | | | | guests, you do want to be within eye contact so |
| waiter are even more important (or at least as | | | | that if they signal you or otherwise want to get |
| important) as the food that is served. As such, it | | | | your attention, you will be able to respond quickly. |
| the success of any food and beverage | | | | - Rush guests. Do not give the impression that |
| establishment is dependent on the quality services | | | | you are rushing guests by asking if they are |
| that its waiters provide. | | | | ready of their check or asking if they are finished |
| Because waiters are an integral facet of the | | | | eating. Instead, allow guests to signal when they |
| business operation of a food and beverage | | | | are done and ready to pay for their meal. |
| establishment, there duties in regards to guest | | | | - In addition to following the above duties, waiters |
| service should be thoroughly detailed in a | | | | should have a few common characteristics that |
| restaurant SOP (service operating policy). The | | | | allow for consistent success: |
| restaurant SOP should cover the following points | | | | Attributes of a Good Waiter |
| and much more. | | | | - A good waiter is tactful. |
| A Successful Waiter Will... | | | | - A good waiter is responsible. |
| - Be confident and friendly. Smile at guests and | | | | - A good waiter possesses round knowledge of |
| engage in useful conversation. Avoid personal talk, | | | | an establishment's services and products. |
| as guests are there to enjoy themselves and not | | | | - A good waiter pays attention to details. |
| help you through personal problems. | | | | - A good waiter is well dressed. |
| - Be accurate. Make sure you repeat everyone's | | | | This is only a small sample of what the attributes |
| order back to them to ensure that you have it | | | | and traits that comprise a good waiter or |
| right. Nothing frustrates a guest more than to | | | | waitress that should be found in a restaurant SOP. |
| have their order messed up and the delays that | | | | For a restaurant manager, having personnel with |
| result. | | | | these skills and characteristics is paramount for |
| - Ensure guest satisfaction. After you deliver food | | | | success. Much of this can be instilled with proper |
| to guests, take a few moments before leaving to | | | | training. In addition to a restaurant SOP, every |
| make sure that everything is to the guest's | | | | establishment should have a restaurant training |
| satisfaction. If drinks need to be refilled this is a | | | | guide that outlines procedures that allows food |
| good opportunity to do so. Also, check back in | | | | and beverage management to impart needed |
| periodically to make sure that the guests have | | | | skills to personnel. Our ebooks, are terrific |
| everything that they need. | | | | resources for establishing your own restaurant |
| - Not hover. While you want to make yourself | | | | SOP and training procedures. |
| available if the guest requires your services, once | | | | |