Q&A for How to Be a Waiter

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Question

How do you serve wine professionally?

Christopher Lucchese
Certified Sommelier
Christopher Lucchese is a Certified Sommelier affiliated with Home Somm, a Los Angeles, California-based business that does private wine tastings, education and paired wine dinners. Christopher was also a Sommelier for Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak, a Michelin-rated restaurant for three years. He is a Level 4 Diploma Student with the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust). He is also a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and has trained with the Wine Scholar Guild and The Culinary Institute of America. He took two semesters at UC Davis for winemaking, viticulture and enology.

Christopher Lucchese

Certified Sommelier

Expert Answer

Always present the bottle on the right-hand side of the host and be sure not to cover the label with your hands. Try to take the foil off in one cut with your foil cutter. Then put the foil in your pocket and pull out the cork. Pour a small amount for the host, again from the right, and if they like it and say yes, go around the table clockwise, pouring wine.

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Question

If a customer leaves a tip in my hand, is it for the restaurant or me?

Community Answer

Most of the time, it's for you. Though, if you're not sure, ask the manager politely and he or she will help you.

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Question

From which side do I serve the guests, and from which side do I clear the dishes? Where do I place wine in front of the guest?

Community Answer

Drinks should always be on the right side of the guest, bread plates on the left. Use the path of least resistance for clearing and serving.

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Question

How do I deal with questions I don't know how to answer?

Community Answer

Never give the customer your best guess, because you may be wrong. Be honest with them and tell them you're unsure, then make every attempt to find a more experienced coworker or a manager (preferably a manager) and ask them. Take the answer back to the customer yourself, do not ask your coworker or a manager to do so for you.

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Question

How do I set a place?

Community Answer

When you set the table (do it before any guests arrive; it saves you time), put the placemats down first, and then the dishes on top of the mats. Put the napkin with the fork and knife and on the top right the glass of water. When the diner has had his entrees, you set the fork and knife for the main course by putting the knife on the right and fork on the left.

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Question

What side should a waiter serve a table?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

Usually, guests are served over their right shoulders.

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Question

How do I remember everything as a waiter?

Community Answer

Always write everything down, even if you think you will remember it. Even the most complicated and extensive orders can be remembered as long as you write them down in your server book.

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Question

Do I have to have a cloth over your arm?

Community Answer

No, not always. It really depends on the sort of restaurant you are working in. In general, the fancier the restaurant is, the more likely you will need will gauge to have a cloth draped over your arm.

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Question

How old do I have to be a server in the US?

Community Answer

In most states, it's 18. Some might require you to be older to serve alcohol.

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Question

How do I respond in an interview?

Community Answer

Answer honestly, and use your head. The person interviewing you will put you in scenarios common in a restaurant and see if you act appropriately.

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Question

How old do I need to be to get a job as a waiter?

Community Answer

16 is generally the minimum age, though some restaurants may prefer to hire people over 18.

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Question

How can I know if a customer dislikes me? How can I change a customer's attitude towards me?

Community Answer

Try not to take this kind of thing personally. All you have to do is be polite and friendly. If the customer is rude, it most likely has nothing to do with you. As long as you're being polite and friendly, and taking care of their needs, you're doing your job. You don't need to be the customer's best friend.

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Question

Is it ever acceptable for a server to hand a plate of food to a guest seated at a table?

Community Answer

That practice is generally not suggested, since as their server you are expected to place the food in front of them. Most customers are unprepared to handle plates of food, especially if it is hot or somewhat heavy. If they happen to be in a booth or in a position so it is difficult to place the food in front of them, the server should ask the customer if they would mind having their food passed to them.

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Question

What uniform is for a new waitress job?

Amanda Cousins

Community Answer

The new waitresses should wear a apron, but if the atmosphere of the restaurant is from the fifties wear the uniform from the decade.

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