By Sumit Manwal, Founder, Hospitality Vacancy
Disclosure: this post contains one affiliate link, marked #Ad.
When I interview F&B service candidates, I notice grooming and attitude before anything else. Product knowledge can be taught; a warm, alert attitude is much harder to train.
Here are the attributes that make a great waiter or server.
Planning your next career move in hospitality? Book a 30-minute Hotel Career Guidance Call with me, or browse the latest hotel jobs on Hospitality Vacancy.
The restaurant staff is the front-line staff expected to manage, serve and satisfy clients walking in for food and beverage dining experience at a price. The restaurant staff should be extremely well groomed projecting high standards of hygiene, sanitation, professionalism and style while handling clients.
With combination of soft skills (verbal and non verbal) the F&B staff is expected to meet with all customer needs starting from taking order for choice of food and beverages, to serving them with joy, clearing the table and settling the bill to taking improvement feedback and seeing off them.
The etiquette that a waiter exhibits in a restaurant should comprise the following:
- Receiving guest promptly with warm smile and wishing them.
- Announce your name and welcome them with the name of the F&B outlet.
- Call guest by name if regular to the outlet.
- Offer assistance.
- Be polite and courteous through the conversation.
- Walk the guest to the table and help the ladies seat first.
- Provide extra cushions or special chairs for children.
- When speaking to a guest do not interrupt him/her if he/she is speaking to another guest.
- Do not overhear conversations.
- Avoid mannerisms such as touching hair, scratching, nose picking, etc.
- Stand straight and at all times.
- Gentle bow at the time of service is permissible.
- Never slouch or lean.
- Remember the preference of guest such as the favourite dish and remind them that you know; ascertain whether he/ she would like to order it again.
- Be attentive to guest call and attend enthusiastically.
- Offer to light a cigarette for a guest.
- Avoid arguments with guest or staff in the restaurant.
- Always carry pen in the pocket.
- Desist chewing gums, beetle leafs (paan) or smoking.
- Never talk with colleagues unnecessarily or group around the sideboard.
- Avoid soliciting for tips.
FAQ
What are the most important qualities of a waiter?
Good grooming, a positive attitude, product and menu knowledge, clear communication, alertness and teamwork.
How can a waiter improve communication skills?
Practise menu descriptions aloud, learn key service phrases, and speak with guests and colleagues in English regularly.
Your next step
- Students and hotel professionals: Create your free candidate profile on Hospitality Vacancy and browse the latest hotel jobs.
- Want personal guidance? Book a Hotel Career Guidance Call (30 min) and we will plan your next step together.
- Want to speak more confidently with guests and interviewers? Practise with an online tutor on Preply (#Ad: affiliate link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you).
- Hotels hiring: Register as an employer on Hospitality Vacancy.
Related reading on this blog
- Effective Communication in Hospitality: Skills Every Professional Needs
- 5 Hotel Management Books Every Hospitality Professional Should Read
- Working Abroad in Hospitality: Video Discussion on Overseas Careers
About the Author
Sumit Manwal is the founder of Hospitality Vacancy (since 2017) and has 20+ years of experience in hospitality. He received the "Excellence in Hospitality Sector of Uttarakhand" award, presented by Shri Dhan Singh Rawat ji (January 2023), and the Dainik Jagran inext Uttarakhand Ratan Samman for Excellence in Hospitality & Education, presented by Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari ji (2023). He helps hotels build reliable teams and professionals grow their careers.
📧 Contact: manwal@hospitalityvacancy.com | 🔗 LinkedIn
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