by David | Feb 14, 2013 | Skills, Tips, Tricks, and Techniques, Uncategorized
Live TV is an art form I have great appreciation for. The people who perform it can seemingly handle anything. They know like the great stage actors before them that the show must go on. In a way it is very much like waiting tables. No matter what the guests say to...
by David | Jan 30, 2012 | Industry Facts, Server Knowledge, Skills
“They left me 15% and I didn’t even charge them for their drinks” –Rookie Server One of the fundamental truths you learn as a server is that hooking someone up with free drinks, food, etc. does not increase your tip. No matter how fundamental of a truth this is, it...
by David | Dec 13, 2011 | Skills, Tips, Tricks, and Techniques
After returning from a brief vacation to visit the best Columbia, MO dentist I know and documenting the Jardines mess, it is time to get things back to normal. This is the fourth installment of the “simple tricks for servers” series. If you missed the others,...
by David | Nov 21, 2011 | Best of Tips Squared, Mechanics of Serving, Skills
I spend a fair amount of time on the sister site of this blog discussing guest behaviors that annoy servers. I am sometimes a guest as well. On the occasions when I take my tips and spend them at a restaurant, I expect quality service. While I tend to not critique...
by David | Nov 4, 2011 | Mechanics of Serving, Skills
The “how to” series continues this week with a lesson on how to fold a napkin. I will start with the standard triangle “stand up” fold and then the more interesting “pouch” fold. This may be very remedial to some, but most restaurants in America still...
by David | Oct 18, 2011 | Mechanics of Serving, Skills
In continuing the “how to” series on this blog, we are turning from glasses to how to carry three plates. Carrying three plates in one hand is one of the first tricks many servers are required to learn. You can always spot a new server as they carefully walk...
