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how to do
1.How to Introduce Yourself
Always introduce yourself promptly when customers are seated in your section. When you are introducing yourself, always look at the people that are sitting at the table, in the eyes.
If you hand the menus out, hand the child's menu(s) out first. While you are handing out the menus, make sure your customers have enough silverware, and that it is the appropriate kind they will be using. Also make sure enough napkins are provided.
Always make the customer feel as if they are cared about. This way, they will come back and ask for you. There is almost nothing worse than making a customer wait too long for anything. Prompt service is always appreciated.
Maintaining eye contact with people when you are talking to them (or when they are talking to you) shows them that they have your undivided attention. It also shows that you are confident in what you are doing and this helps customers to view you in a favorable light.
You should know the menu inside and out. Are substitutions allowed? Does this dish contain any dairy ingredients? What's fresh? What is your favorite? Memorize the menu items. Know their ingredients and how they are prepared. Be clear on what you personally like and what is most popular with customers.
Not every customer that sits at your table knows what they want or can eat anything on the menu. When customers ask for suggestions, they will appreciate a confident and quick reply detailing what you like and what is popular with customers. Customers who are allergic to certain foods will almost always reward you if you help them avoid problem ingredients.especially if you can substitute an ingredient on a desired dish instead of forcing them to choose something else.
If adults order alcoholic beverages, ask them if they would like some water as well. If your restaurant has a bar with happy hours, be sure to inform your adult customers about happy hour specials.
Learn how to open a bottle of wine.
Sometimes kids will order drinks with milk, sugar or caffeine that their parents do not want them to have. Wait for the parent to confirm (or at least afford them the opportunity to object/overrule) a child's drink order. The parents are paying the bill, so make sure they are happy!
Many adults who drink alcoholic beverages also like to have some water on hand to help balance the effects of alcohol on their palate, hydration and/or sobriety. Asking if they would like some water in addition to their drink order is a proactive step that shows you care about their dining experience.
Customers who order a bottle of wine appreciate it when you open the bottle in front of them at the table. Practice this skill so that you can do it without dropping cork crumbs in the bottle, spilling wine or looking like an amateur.
Go the extra mile to accommodate the (iced) tea drinker. Ask if they want extra lemon (bring them a small plate of lemon wedges if they do). Keep an eye on level in the glass and try to refill it only when it is almost all gone (or bring them a new glass for every refill). Be sure to let them know you will try to refill it only when it is almost empty.
If your restaurant offers different types of tea (iced, hot, herbal), be sure to ask the customer which type of tea they want.don't assume!
Tea drinkers can be very finicky about getting it to taste just right.with the correct level of sweetener and lemon. If you refill a half-full glass, it dilutes their carefully prepared drink and can be hard for them to correct.
Important: The finicky customer can be a PITA (pain in the ass), but s/he can also be a great opportunity because the more finicky people are used to bad service and usually will recognize and reward good service.
It impresses the people at your table if you can remember every little detail of their order without writing it down. It sends the message that you are paying attention to them and are focused on their needs.
Repeating the order after it has been decided serves two purposes.first is to assure the customers that you understood the order and did not miss anything, second is to help you remember the order. Most restaurants have computerized ordering systems these days and so it is important to "write in" the order in the computer as soon as it's been taken.
Customers with special orders (substitutions, etc.) are usually extra appreciative of wonderful servers who get their orders right.
Make sure that the food matches the order before you bring it to the table, especially if the customer made a special order (substitutions, food allergies, etc.). If the order isn't right, send it back and tell the customer about the snafu.
When food arrives at the table, the customer expects to be able to eat. The disappointment in seeing a wrong order is much worse than a little extra wait. Customers also appreciate that you are looking out for them and attentive to their needs.
Always remember the people that you wait on. One idea is to write down their names (if they pay by credit card), what they look like, and what they had. This includes details like how they like their dish prepared.like how they prefer their steak cooked.
It's really great when you can remember a customer and their preferences and they take notice. This is especially true when the customer happens to return with friends. The customers appreciate the VIP treatment and it really makes them look good. This always means, a bigger tip for you.
Many restaurants will request that their wait staff wear a uniform. Whether you wear a uniform or not, make sure that your clothes are clean, ironed, neat and new looking. Also, make sure you have shoes that tie (double knots are most helpful so you don't have to keep tying them), and NOT tennis shoes. Your socks should not be visible (unless one is wearing a skirt), and a tie is always helpful. In some places, it is required that a person wear suspenders, or a hand cloth draping over their pants. Make sure your clothes fit well. Note that open toed sandals are not good, as things may get dropped on your feet.
Always have clean, dry hair, and make sure it is styled. Long hair should be tied back in a ponytail holder or scarf. Girls should pay attention to their nails too. Other girls look at your nails and want to make sure that your cuticles are shaped well, that your nails are painted, etc.
It is a great idea to wear something extra that makes you stand out in the restaurant and be remembered (a pin or a patch or something).
At a minimum, you don't want to offend customers with your appearance. At best, you want diners to take notice of you and regard you in a positive light. When you pay attention to detail in your appearance, it sends a message to people that you care about yourself and your job.
Manners are very important to any wait staff. Just ask Miss Mannersˇor your grandmother. Pay attention to your posture.stand up straight, shoulders back. Grammar and diction are also very important in order to make a good impression.
A guest in a restaurant does NOT want to hear, "We ain't got none." The correct way to say it is, "We do not have any of that." The more a customer respects you, the easier it is for them to decide that you are worthy of a good tip.
Especially when it comes to admitting any mistakes on your part. Don't try to blame others when you are at fault.
Don't assume that customers are too stupid or ignorant to figure out the truth. Taking responsibility for your mistakes breeds respect and even if the infraction is severe enough to ruin your tip for that particular dining experience, at least the customer will be willing to give you another chance the next time you wait on them. Customers will never tip you well if they perceive you as being a weasel.
If you work at a restaurant that serves sandwiches, fried foods, etc. that are likely to be eaten with condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc., and those condiments are not already provided on the table, do not wait until the food is served to ask if the customer would like the condiments! Ask them when they place the order.
If you wait until the food is served, they will have to wait with their food sitting in front of them while you retrieve the condiments. Even if you are quick, the wait can be agonizing torture for someone who is hungry!
It is not uncommon for customers to think of things they need to write down while dining out. When inspiration hits them, you want to be the hero that enables them to record their thoughts before the moment is lost.
