21 Server Tips and Tricks

Heres a list of time-tested serving tips that all good servers have used at some point:

1. Write thank you on your guests checks. Studies show that it can increase your tips by 13%. 2. Speak to your guests, learn their preferences and suggest drinks, appetizers, entrees and desserts. Try to sell the experience! 3. Always stay positive and approach guests with a smile. 4. Offer recommendations to guests based on their preferences and your experiences. 5. Try to remember the guests names and faces. If they become a repeat customer and you remember your name, guests will be blown away. 6. Know your restaurants VIPs. 7. Always actively listen to your guests. 8. Smile at every guest you make eye contact with. 9. Try to not interrupt a guests conversation. 10. Handle glasses by the stem and plates by the bottom. Basically, never touch the surface area that a guest will come in contact with. 11. Never say I dont know. If you actually dont know the answer, respond with let me find out. 12. Never remove a plate with food on it without asking a guest first. And if a guest asks you to take it, ask what was wrong with the dish. 13. Never swear in front of your guests, unless your restaurants theme is like this ones. 14. Be consistent with your service throughout every course. 15. Never let a guest over-order. Offer advice and let them know portion sizes in advance. 16. Dont ignore a table just because it isnt in your section. If you see someone who needs help, do. Your colleagues will love you for it. 17. Dont leave place settings if they arent going to be used. 18. Let guests know if the kitchen or bar is out of something as soon as possible so they dont read it on the menu and get disappointed. 19. If one of your guests asks to speak to a manager, dont take it personally. 20. Always place the check in a neutral place. Otherwise, you risk letting your personal biases show, which isnt good. 21. Learn your restaurants point of sale system like its the back of your hand. Its your go-to tool for managing a service.

Question

Your Tasks: 1. Read through all of the tips and tricks listed. 2. Choose 4 tips you think you will have no problem with. In other words, it is easy for you to remember, or it comes naturally to you to behave in that way. List them and provide evidence that this is something you are good at. For example, if I choose Tip #14-Be consistent with your service throughout every course-then I have to give an example of when I acted in this manner. (8 marks) 3. Then, choose 4 tips you feel would be difficult for you to remember or that you feel you might need to practice. List them and provide evidence that this is something you need to develop. (8 marks) 4. Think of one more tip to add to the list. What is it? (2 marks) 5. Finish this sentence: To me, being a professional server means (2 marks) 6. Describe a time when you had a bad experience at a restaurant or other food and beverage venue that was related to the person who was serving you. What happened? How did you react? Did you leave a tip? How did the server react? What made it a bad experience? (5 marks) 7. Describe a time when you had an exceptional food and beverage experience because of the person who was serving you. What qualities did they have that made them an excellent server? Did they use any tips listed above? Which ones? How did your service experience impact your total experience? Did you have a better time because you had good service? (5 marks)