Training Your New Servers Right: 10 Industry Best Practices to Make Waiting Tables Painless
The Rezku Team
Waiters and waitresses are the lynchpin that holds together the full-service dining experience. They are the face of your restaurant and the primary determining factor in whether a guest dines with you again.
What is Expected from a Restaurant Server?
In a table-service setting, the servers play a crucial role in operations.
They must deliver an exceptional dining experience to guests through attentive service, ensure a seamless flow of courses, and create a comfortable and memorable atmosphere for guests.
Here are the key skills waiters and waitresses are expected to have:
- Flexility, with the ability to multi-task
- Superior communication skills
- Excellent listening and memorization
- Mindful of dining etiquette
- Highly observant with the ability to anticipate guests’ needs
- Friendly and charming under pressure
- Able to manage multiple tables full of guests
- Deep familiarity of the restaurant’s menu
- Able to up-sell specials, deserts etc.
- Knowledge of drink pairings
- Ability to operate a POS system to enter orders accurately
10 Industry Best-Practices for Training New Servers
If you are a manager training a new employee, or you have recently found yourself in the position of restaurant waiter or waitress, follow these 10 industry best practices to ensure success in the role.
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Internalize Menu Knowledge
Embrace comprehensive training on the menu, including ingredients and preparation methods. Cultivate the ability to make informed recommendations based on guests’ preferences and dietary restrictions.
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Develop Wine & Beverage Pairing Expertise
Ensure servers have a strong understanding of the restaurant’s wine list, beers and cocktail menu. Teach proper wine service protocol, including decanting, describing tasting notes, and suggesting pairings.
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Exemplify Table-Service Standards
Train servers on specific service standards and rituals expected by the restaurant, such as proper plate presentation, guest communication, and tableside preparation techniques.
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Emphasize Attention to Detail
Stress the importance of being attentive to guests’ needs, anticipating their desires, and providing personalized service throughout the dining experience.
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Develop Interpersonal Communication Skills
Strive to always use effective communication techniques, including eye contact, active listening, reading body language, and engaging in thoughtful conversation with guests.
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Uphold Grooming and Uniform Standards
As the face of the restaurant, always uphold dress code and grooming expectations to the highest degree. Maintain a professional and polished appearance befitting a the restaurant.
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Use Conflict Resolution Strategies
Instruct servers on how to handle challenging situations, such as dissatisfied guests, service errors, or complaints. Always maintain grace and professionalism in conduct.
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Promote Teamwork and Communication
Emphasize the importance of collaboration with other front-of-house staff, including hosts, bartenders, and managers, to ensure a cohesive and seamless dining experience.
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Train on Table Maintenance and Resets
Properly reset tables between courses and diners, including proper folding of napkins, replacing of flatware and glassware, and overall ensuring a clean, organized table throughout the dining experience.
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Offer Continuous Training and Feedback
Implement regular training sessions and performance evaluations to reinforce best practices, address any areas for improvement, and ensure servers stay up-to-date with menu changes, new service protocols, or updates to the menu.
By following these tips, full-service restaurants can effectively train new servers, enabling them to deliver outstanding service, enhance the overall dining experience for guests, and uphold the highest standards of hospitality.
This free resource is part of a series of articles on restaurant management and operations provided by Rezku. Rezku provides point of sale and management technology exclusively for restaurants.
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