How To Interact With Guests and Taking orders: A Servers Guide

About this video

• Video Title: How To Interact With Guests and Taking orders: A Servers Guide
• Channel: Waiter, There's more!
• Speakers: No speakers are identified in the transcript.
• Duration: 00:09:27

Overview

This video provides a comprehensive guide for restaurant servers on how to interact with guests and take orders in a fine dining setting. It covers various aspects of customer service, including welcoming guests, making conversation, upselling techniques, wine service, clearing tables, and handling the bill. The aim is to help servers create a positive guest experience and potentially increase their tips.

Key takeaways

• Welcoming guests: Greet guests warmly, introduce yourself without your title, offer a compliment, and assist with seating and coats to break the ice and initiate conversation.
• Taking orders and upselling: Suggest popular dishes or drinks to influence guest choices. The video suggests framing these as popular or artist-crafted options.
• Wine service: Offer two wine choices (medium-expensive and exclusive), describe them appealingly, and present them correctly to the host before pouring for the table.
• Table clearing and guest flow: Clear tables efficiently without interrupting guests who are still eating. Suggest a change of scenery or offer complimentary drinks in an adjacent area if a new booking is waiting.
• Handling the bill: Wait for the guest to request the bill, present it professionally on a plate or book, return change promptly for cash payments, and handle card transactions discreetly.
• Guest departure: Assist guests with coats, pull out chairs, escort them to the exit, and offer a polite farewell.