Attributes of a Good waiter

ATTRIBUTES OF F&B SERVICE PERSONNEL

1.     Professional & Hygienic Appearance

The food & beverage service personnel are a point of interaction to the guests. A server must be very well groomed so as to project a positive image of the establishment. While working in F & B Service one has to handle food throughout the operation hours; hence the hygienic practices must be followed strictly to ensure the safety of food and to provide hygienic atmosphere and service to customers. 

2.     Menu Knowledge

A server must have full knowledge of the food and beverage that are being offered in the menu. Which of the menu items are spicy, less spicy or medium spiced; how a particular item is prepared etc. Proper menu knowledge helps in suggestive selling and up-selling. A server must be aware of the special items for the day/month in the menu. Apart from the knowledge about food preparation, the server must have thorough knowledge about the different service styles chosen as per the menu/occasion/establishment.

3.     Sense of urgency

The food and beverage operations demand a high amount of hard work and multi-tasking abilities are a must. The maximum amount of business is done at the high turnover hours, and a server must have sense of urgency to execute the operations flawlessly.

4.     Punctuality

Punctuality is all important. If the staff is continually late on duty it shows lack of interest in work and lack of respect for management and customers.

5.     Personality and attitude towards customers

The staff must be tactful, courteous, good humored and even tempered. They must converse with the customer in a pleasing and well spoken manner and the ability to smile at the right time pays well.

6.     Honesty and Loyalty

“Honesty is the Best Policy”, as it is said. An honest employee is the most important asset to the organization. The staff must be loyal to the organization and management they are working with. No worker should leave the organization without informing to the management and must not commit any act which goes against the image of the organization.

7.     Memory

This is an essential asset to f & b service staff. A good server must be able to remember the regular guests’ names and their preferences; this helps in making good relations with the customers and hence helps in generating repeat business.

8.     Ability to handle customer complaints

Customer concerns or complaints are a regular part of f & b service operations. One must be tactful enough to handle the complaints and should be able to satisfy the guests. A customer not satisfied is loss to the business and reputation of the establishment.

9.     Sales Ability

Servers reflect the image of the establishment. They are salespeople and must therefore have a complete knowledge of all forms of food and drink and their correct service, and so be able to contribute to personal selling and merchandising. Suggestive selling and up-selling abilities are a must for f & b service personnel.

10. Contribution to the TEAM

This is the most important attribute as it contributes to each and every quality mentioned above. Together Everyone Achieves More, and a person with ability to perform in a team takes the organization’s achievements to a higher level.