How to Be a Server

I've been serving for almost 2 years now. It's a hard job, because it takes a lot of multi-tasking and remembering things. The basics though, is just that. A basic pattern you go in to get the job done, repeating it with all tables you have.

Obviously, the first thing you're going to do is introduce yourself and welcome your guest to the restaurant. A winning smile is key and a good attitude is what it takes. Always try to get the order on the first stop, it'll save you steps later. If you can't, bring back drinks and try again. Always mention dessert on your first stop too, whether it's after they order or before.

Enter the order in as soon as you get it. The sooner the kitchen gets it, the sooner your guest will get it, the happier everyone will be. Especially, if you know the cook time is going to be long. It's a common courtesy.

Take out the drinks after you ring in the order. If their soup, salad, appetizer, etc is up by the time I get the drinks together, take them out together. If not, drop off the drinks and go back to deliver anything that goes before the meal. While serving, you'll learn quickly that people do not appreciate getting their salads with the meal unless they specified this!

After this, you're pretty much just waiting on delivering the food. However, some people are fish and you'll have to refill their drinks before the food comes, maybe twice. So, you still have to pay attention. Once the food is up, make sure it is presentable and take it out. Never auction it off, asking who got the meatloaf or who got the burger. You took the order, you should know where the food goes. It makes the delivery process much smoothers.

Within a couple minutes, check back to make sure that burger is cooked the way they wanted it. Ask specific questions, rather than "Is everything okay?" because it shows more interest. Also, leave the check at this time. Better for them to have it now, rather than waiting 10 minutes on you later because you got busy doing something else.

Take refills, see if there's anything you can get them, take any dirty dishes. Basically, check on them again when they're getting closer to being done. See if they have room for dessert. Also, any time you are in the dining room, go by you're entire section, just so that they can stop you if they need anything that you may not have anticipated. When the table leaves, clean it off and gather tip.

Doesn't sound too bad, huh? Times one table by 5 then see what you think. Add balancing the trays, making coffee, tea, filling ice bins, cleaning off counters, and general stuff you do behind the scenes to that and then see what you think. It's not for everyone and it's a lot of hard work. You meet a lot of people though, some of the rudest you'll ever encounter, but then some with hearts of gold. Sometimes the work is worth it, but sometimes not, especially when you get stiffed two times in a row for no apparent reason. It's all part of the business though, so good luck if you're just starting out!