CONTACT DETAILS:

Saturday, June 26, 2010

EQUIPMENT HANDLING

Sanitation Standards in Handling Service Equipment


1. Use clean and sanitized glasses, flatware, chinaware and
other equipment for service.
2. All service equipment must be wiped dry with clean cloths
to avoid watermarks. The cloths used for this purpose
must be segregated from other wiping cloths.
3. Bowls should be underlined with appropriate underliner
and never to be served with the finger touching the rim.
4. When serving straw serve them with their wrappers or in
their respective dispensers.
5. When serving additional utensils or napkin, place them in
a small plate to avoid direct contact with hand.
6. The thumb should be kept away from the plate to avoid
touching the sauce, meat or dish.
7. When setting up flatware and glasses, avoid leaving
finger marks; carry them in trays or with a cloth napkin.
8. Never serve food using cutleries that have fallen on the
floor.
9. To avoid contamination, food must be covered when it is
not served immediately.
Never serve utensils, cups, glasses or plates that are oily,
wet or with fingermarks, spots or lipstick mark.

EQUIPMENT HANDLING

Do's and Dont's of Equipment Handling


1. Dump ice out of the glass; preheat the glass before
pouring hot water. Don't pour hot drinks in chilled or cold
glasses.
2. Stack dishes according to size and kind. Never stack too
high.
3. Handle stemmed glasses by the stem and tumblers by
the base. Never handle glasses in bouquet.
4. Remove glass / china from buspan one at a time. Don't
unload china, glasses at random.
5. Use ice scooper for scooping ice. Never use the glass for
scooping ice.
6. Never put cutlery into glasses, put them in appropriate
containers.
7. Make sure of an adequate back-up supply of glassware
for rush periods.
8. Always be on the lookout for cracked or chipped
glassware and remove them.
9. Never allow glass-to-glass contact on overhead racks,
keep distant from each other.
10. Never overload the tray / buspan. Load only what it can
conveniently accommodate.

11. Never buss glasses in the sink. Buss them directly onto
divider racks.
12. Never stack glasses. Use trays and avoid over crowding
them to prevent breakage.

EQUIPMENT HANDLING

Measures to Avoid Breakages


• Use trays when serving and bussing.
• Proper system should be followed in stacking and storing
equipment.
• Use appropriate door for entry and exit. A separate door
for entering and eiting should be installed to prevent
collision.
• Use appropriate glass racks. Make sure that the glasses
are conviniently, but not tightly inserted in each rack.
• Buss out glasses separately from chinaware.
• Avoid overloading trays and buspans.

EQUIPMENT HANDLING

Management invests substantial amount in supplies and
equipment. Service staffs are, therefore, expected that these
equipment are handled gently and carefully. Staff should be
sanitation and safety conscious. Equipment should be handled in the
right spot stemmed glass by the stem, tumblers by the base, flatware
by the handle. Bowls should never be held by the rim, use
appropriate underliners. The thumb should never show on the plate.
When setting up cutleries, as well as glasswares, avoid leaving
finger marks by using trays or by securing them inside a cloth
napkin.
To prevent breakage, be conscious of the rules of
equipment handling. Breakages are usually caused by the following
factors:
1. Mechanical Impact -- results from object-to-object
collision. This is induced by stacking of glasswares and
chinawares, picking of glasses in bouquet, overloading of
buspans and trays, putting cutleries inside glasses.
2. Thermal Shock -- result of sudden change of
temperature. This happens when hot water is placed
inside a chilled / cold glass and vice versa, abrupt use of
glasswares after coming of the dishwashing machines,
heating chilled bowl in a microwave.

3. Improper Handling and Misuse of Equipment -- using
the equipment for a purpose it was not intended for such
as using a glass to scoop ice, using knives for opening
cans, etc.
4. Inattentiveness or Absent-mindedness -- accidents
often occur when service personnel are absent-minded or
are inattentive in executing services especially when they
are carrying breakable equipment.
5. Environmental Factors – greasy / wet floor, slippery
floor, broken tiles, blind doors.

LINEN

Buffet Cloths
For a buffet table, the minimum size of the tablecloth required
is 2 m x 4 m.


Trolley Cloths and Sideboard Cloths
These are usually made from tablecloths well worn and not
suitable for use on tables, mended by the housekeeping department
and folded to fit a sideboard or trolley.




Waiter’s Cloths or Service Cloths
A service cloth is a very important part of service equipment
as well as being part of the food server’s uniform. It must be kept
clean and ironed at all times and only used as a service cloth for
certain activities such as:
· Carrying hot plates
· Final polishing of plates
· Wiping small spills
· Brushing crumbs onto a service plate
· Wiping the undersides of the plates before placing plates
on the table.
Service cloths are also used by every waiter as protection
against heat and to keep uniforms clean.

LINEN

Napkins or Serviettes
A napkin or serviette is a rectangle cloth or paper used at the
table for wiping the mouth while eating. It is usually small and folded.
Conventionally, t he napkin is folded and placed to the left of the
place setting, outside the outermost fork. In an ambitious restaurant
setting, it may be folded into elaborate shapes and displayed on the
empty plate. A napkin may also be held together in a bundle (with
cutlery) by a napkin ring. Alternatively, paper napkins may be
contained with a napkin holder.



LINEN

Linens are fabric goods, such as tablecloths, napkins and slip
cloths. Linen is a material made from the fibers of the flax plant.
Originally, many, such as bed sheets and tablecloths, were made of
linen. Today, the term "linen" has come to be applied to all related
products even though most are made of cotton, various synthetic
materials, or blends. The main items of linen normally found in a
restaurant are: tablecloths; slipcloths; buffet cloths; trolley and
sideboard cloths; and waiter’s cloths or service cloths.
4.9.1 Table Cloths
Table linens made from cotton or linen are not only more
absorbent but also last longer. The fibers don't pill or pile as easy as
with synthetic table linens and they don't become shiny when
exposed to an iron's heat. Egyptian cotton and Irish linen are
considered the finest materials for table linens because of their long,
durable fibers. White is the most popular color for table linens
because it's considered formal. Table linens in off white or ivory are
also acceptable. A damask (woven) or embroidered pattern is a
perfectly acceptable table cloth.


Types of Tables Size of Tables Size of Table Cloths
Square table 76 cm sq 92 cm sq 137 x 137 cm 183 x 183 cm
Rectangular table 136 x 76 cm 183 x 137 cm
Round table 92 cm diameter 184 cm diameter


Table cloths should be large enough to cover the top as well
as a portion of the legs of a table without interfering with the guest's

comfort while he is seated at the table.The size of the tablecloth
varies according to the size of the table it is required to cover.


Slip Cloths or Naperones
These are designed to be laid over the tablecloth to protect it
from spillage and give it a longer life. Using a slip cloth reduces the
number of tablecloths used and thus reduces the cost of inventory
and laundry. Slip cloths may measure 1 metre square approximately.

OTHER TROLLEYS

CHEESE TROLLEY



LIQUEUR TROLLEY



LIQUEUR TROLLEY



LIQUOR TROLLEY



MOBILE BAR



WINE TROLLEY



Hotel & Restaurant Trolleys

Interested in purchasing Hotel & Restaurant Trolleys? We deal in all types of Trolleys like Gueridon/Flambe Trolley, Wine Trolley, Dessert Trolley, Room Service Trolley, Cheese Trolley........

For a quote:

mail at hoteltrolleys@gmail.com




TROLLEYS - CARVING TROLLEY

It is used for carving joints of meat at a guest's table. This trolley
is seldom used in India.




Hotel & Restaurant Trolleys

Interested in purchasing Hotel & Restaurant Trolleys? We deal in all types of Trolleys like Gueridon/Flambe Trolley, Wine Trolley, Dessert Trolley, Room Service Trolley, Cheese Trolley........

For a quote:

mail at hoteltrolleys@gmail.com

TROLLEYS - DESSERT TROLLEY

This trolley serves as a visual aid to selling desserts. Guests are
more likely to order a dessert if they can see what is available,
particularly if it is well presented. Some dessert trolleys are
refrigerated. Gateaux, pastries, jellies, tarts, pies, flans and
souffles can be served from a dessert trolley.




Hotel & Restaurant Trolleys

Interested in purchasing Hotel & Restaurant Trolleys? We deal in all types of Trolleys like Gueridon/Flambe Trolley, Wine Trolley, Dessert Trolley, Room Service Trolley, Cheese Trolley........

For a quote:

mail at hoteltrolleys@gmail.com

TROLLEYS - ROOM SERVICE TROLLEY

This trolley is known for its versatility. It is used for the service to
guests in their rooms. The waiter sets up the meal and covers
on the trolley and wheels it into the guest's room. This trolley
may also be used as a dining table in the privacy of the guest's
room. Beneath the trolley top, provision is made for mounting a
hot case to keep the food warm.







Hotel & Restaurant Trolleys

Interested in purchasing Hotel & Restaurant Trolleys? We deal in all types of Trolleys like Gueridon/Flambe Trolley, Wine Trolley, Dessert Trolley, Room Service Trolley, Cheese Trolley........

For a quote:

mail at hoteltrolleys@gmail.com

TROLLEYS - GUERIDON OR FLAMBE TROLLEY

A gueridon or flambe trolley is a small mobile trolley that can be
placed alongside the guest's table. It consists of one or two
burners, a gas cylinder and a work and storage space for plates
and cooking equipment. Using this trolley, the food is flambed at
the guest's table. Only skilled and well rained waiters are
allowed to handle this service as there is the risk of spoiling food
by overcooking it, and of the flame causing a fire in the
premises.







Hotel & Restaurant Trolleys

Interested in purchasing Hotel & Restaurant Trolleys? We deal in all types of Trolleys like Gueridon/Flambe Trolley, Wine Trolley, Dessert Trolley, Room Service Trolley, Cheese Trolley........

For a quote:

mail at hoteltrolleys@gmail.com

SIDE BOARD OR DUMMY WAITER

The style and design of the side board varies from
establishment to establishment. It depends upon:
· The style of service and menu offered.
· The number of waiters working from one sideboard
· The number of tables to be served from one
sideboard
· The amount of equipment it is expected to hold.



It is essential that the side board is of minimum size and
portable so that it may be moved, if necessary. If the sideboard is too
large for its purpose, then it takes up space which could be used to
seat more customers. The top should be of heat resistant material
which can be easily washed down. After service, the sideboard is
either completely emptied out or restocked for the next service.

SIDE BOARD OR DUMMY WAITER

The side station is also called the dummy waiter or service
console. This is a very important piece of furniture in a restaurant. It
is used by the service staff for keeping all the service equipment at
one place. It is also used as a landing table for the dishes picked up
from the kitchen enroute to the table and the dirty dishes from the
guest's table to the wash-up area. For the convenience of the service
staff, the side station should be strategically located in a restaurant.
The side station should be kept clean and presentable as it can be
seen by the guests.

The following service equipment can be stored in a side
station.
Salvers 
Creamers 
Wine chiller and stand
Coffee pots 
Teapots 
Ice buckets and tongs
Finger bowls 
Cruet sets 
Sugar bowl and tongs
Soup ladles 
Butter dishes 
Bottle and wine openers
Cigar cutters 
Bread baskets 
Bud vases
Candle holders 
Wine cradle 
Toothpick stand
Straw stand 
Pot holders 
Drip bowls

TABLES & CHAIRS

The size and shape of tables depends entirely on the
availability of space and the kind of service envisaged. Normally
three types of tables are used. They are round, rectangular and
square.

The height of the table irrespective of the shape should be 75
cm from the floor level. The diameter of a round table to seat four
people should be approximately 92 cm. The size of a square table to
seat two people should 76 cm sq and 92 cm square to seat four
people. The size of rectangular table to seat four people should be
137 cm x 76 cm. Commercial table tops come in a variety of
materials: wood, metal, stone, tile and melamine. Many restaurant
table tops are available with edged finishes to prevent scuffs and
dents.
In some expensive tables, another table top is placed with
revolving facility, on top of which the food is placed where th guests
can rotate revolving top and serve himself, if he chooses to.



Chair are available in various shapes, colours and sizes to
suit all occasions. Because of the wide ranges of style, chairs come
in varied height and width. However the dimension of chairs should
be relative to table dimensions. The average height of the chair
should be 92 cm. The seat should be 46 cm from the floor and 23 cm
from the top of the table. This would enable guests to sit and eat
comfortably, without their legs touching the underside of the table.

STAINLESS STEEL

Stainless steel flatware and culery is available in a variety of
grades. Use of stainless steels and super stainless steels is
expanding in a variety of markets. Stainless steels have higher
resistance to oxidation ( rust) and corrosion in many natural and
man made environments; however, it is important to select the
correct type and grade of stainless steel.
Stainless steel is finished by different degrees of polishing:
high polish finish, dull polish finish and a light grey matt, non
reflective finish, etc.
Stainless steel's resistance to corrosion and staining, low
maintenance, relative inexpense and familiar luster make it an ideal
base material for tableware. Stainless steel neither tarnishes nor
stains. It resists scratching far more than other metals and may,
therefore, be said to be more hygienic.

SPECIAL RESTAURANT EQUIPMENTS

There is almost an unlimited range of flatwar, cutlery and
hollowware in use in the catering industry. Apart from the familiar
knife, fork, spoon, vegetable dishes and lids, entrée dishes and lids,
soup tureens, teapot, hotwater jugs, sugar basins there are a
number of specialist items of equipment available for use with
specific dishes. Some common specialist equipments are listed
below:

Friday, June 18, 2010

TABLEWARE

Tableware includes the dishes, glassware, cutlery, and
flatware eating utensils (knives, forks, and spoons) used to set a
table for eating a meal. The nature, variety, and number of objects
varies from culture to culture, and may vary from meal to meal as
well. Tableware may be categorised as follows:
Flatware Flatware denotes all forms of spoon and fork.
Flatware, especially that used by most people when
they eat informally, is usually made of stainless steel.
Cutlery Cutlery refers to knives and other cutting instruments.
Holloware Holloware refers to table service items such as sugar
bowls, creamers, coffee pots, teapots, soup tureens,

hot food covers, water pitchers, platters, butter plates
and other metal items excluding flatware and cutlery.

HANDLING OF CHINAWARE

Whatever quality of china or crockery is used, the most
important thing to ensure is that it is washed, rinsed and dried
correctly to ensure that no dirt, stains or streaks appear.
1) Chinaware has a high breakage rate and, therefore,
needs careful handling.
2) They should be stored on shelves in piles or stakes of
approximately two dozen each. Any higher may result in
their toppling down.
3) They should be stored at a convenient height for placing
on, and removing from the shelves to avoid accidents.
4) Chinaware should be kept covered to prevent dust and
germs settling on it.
5) Chipped and cracked items harbor germs and should,
therefore, not be used and disposed off carefully.

CHINAWARE

China is a term used for crockery whether bone china
(expensive and fine), earthenware (opaque and cheaper) or vitrified
(metallised). Most catering crockery used nowadays tends to be

vitrified earthenware, which is very durable and haven been
strengthened. Crockery is also usually given rolled edges to make it
more chip resistant.
Chinaware is made of silica, soda ash, and china clay, glazed
to give a fine finish. Chinaware can be found in different colours and
designs which are always coated with glaze. Chinaware is more
resistant to heat than glassware. There are various classification of
catering china. They are:
Porcelain Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating
selected and refined materials, which often includes
clay of kaolinite clay, to high temperatures. The raw
materials for porcelain, when mixed with water, form a
plastic body that can be worked to a required shape
before firing in a kiln at temperatures between 1200°C
and 1400°C. The toughness, strength, and
translucence of porcelain arise mainly from the
formation of glass at high temperatures and the
mineral mullite within the fired body.
Bone China Bone china is porcelain made of clay mixed with bone
ash. This is very fine, hard china that is very
expensive. The decorations are to be found under the
glaze only. The price of bone china puts it out of reach
of the majority of everyday caterers, and only a few of
the top class hotels and restaurants would use it. The
range of design, pattern and colour is very wide and
there is something to suit all occasions and situations.
Earthenware Earthenware may sometimes be as thin as bone
china and other porcelains, though it is not translucent
and is more easily chipped. Earthenware is also less
strong, less tough, and more porous than stoneware,
but its low cost and easier working compensate for
these deficiencies. Due to its higher porosity,
earthenware must usually be glazed in order to be
watertight.
Stoneware Stoneware is a hard pottery made from siliceous
paste, fired at high temperature to vitrify (make
glassy) the body. Stoneware is heavier and more
opaque than porcelain. The usual color of fired
stoneware tends to be grayish, though there may be a
wide range of colors, depending on the clay. It has
been produced in China since ancient times and is the
forerunner of Chinese porcelain.

HANDLING OF GLASSWARE

1. Glassware is highly fragile and most delicate and
expensive: hence atmost care has to be taken while
handling glass equipments.
2. Glasses are normally stored in a glass pantry and should
be placed upside down in single rows on paper-lined
shelves, to prevent dust settling in them.
3. Tumblers should not be stacked inside one another as
this may result in heavy breakages and accidents.
4. The appearance of the drink mainly depends on the glass
and therefore, the glass should be sparkling clean and
attractive in shape and style.
5. When glassware is machine or hand washed, each
individual item must be polished and dried with a glass
cloth made of linen, as water leaves stains on the
glasses.
6. Glasses whether clean or dirty have to be handled by the
base or stem, since the finger prints left on the glass
necessitates polishing.

TYPES OF GLASSWARE

1. Beer mug
2. Brandy snifter
3. Champagne flute
4. Cocktail glass
5. Coffee mug
6. Collins glass
7. Cordial glass
8. Highball glass
9. Hurricane glass
10. Margarita/coupette glass
11. Mason jar
12. Old-fashioned glass
13. Parfait glass
14. Pousse cafe glass
15. Punch bowl
16. Red wine glass
17. Sherry glass
18. Shot glass
19. Whiskey sour glass
20. White wine glass


Beer mug
The traditional beer container. Typical Size: 16 oz.

Brandy snifter
The shape of this glass concentrates the alcoholic odors to the top of the glass as your hands warm the brandy.Typical Size: 17.5 oz.

Champagne flute
This tulip shaped glass is designed to show off the waltzing bubbles of the wine as they brush against the side of the glass and spread out into a sparkling mousse.Typical Size: 6 oz.

Cocktail glass
This glass has a triangle-bowl design with a long stem, and is used for a wide range of straight-up (without ice) cocktails, including martinis, manhattans, metropolitans, and gimlets. Also known as a martini glass.Typical Size: 4-12 oz.

Coffee mug
The traditional mug used for hot coffee.Typical Size: 12-16 oz.

Collins glass
Shaped similarly to a highball glass, only taller, the collins glass was originally used for the line of collins gin drinks, and is now also commonly used for soft drinks, alcoholic juice, and tropical/exotic juices such as Mai Tai's.Typical Size: 14 oz.

Cordial glass
Small and stemmed glasses used for serving small portions of your favourite liquors at times such as after a meal.Typical Size: 2 oz.

Highball glass
A straight-sided glass, often an elegant way to serve many types of mixed drinks, like those served on the rocks, shots, and mixer combined liquor drinks (ie. gin and tonic).Typical Size: 8-12 oz.

Hurricane glass
A tall, elegantly cut glass named after it's hurricane-lamp-like shape, used for exotic/tropical drinks.Typical Size: 15 oz.

Margarita/coupette glass
This slightly larger and rounded approach to a cocktail glass has a broad-rim for holding salt, ideal for margarita's. It is also used in daiquiris and other fruit drinks.Typical Size: 12 oz.

Mason jar
These large square containers are effective in keeping their contents sealed in an air tight environment.
They're designed for home canning, being used for preserves and jam amongst other things.Typical Size: 16 oz.

Old-fashioned glass
A short, round so called "rocks" glass, suitable for cocktails or liquor served on the rocks, or "with a splash".Typical Size: 8-10 oz.

Parfait glass
This glass has a similar inwards curve to that of a hurricane glass, with a steeper outwards rim and larger, rounded bowl. Often used for drinks containing fruit or ice cream.Typical Size: 12 oz.

Pousse-cafe glass
A narrow glass essentially used for pousse caf�s and other layered dessert drinks. It's shape increases the ease of layering ingredients.Typical Size: 6 oz.

Punch bowl
A large demispherical bowl suitable for punches or large mixes.Typical Size: 1-5 gal.

Red wine glass
A clear, thin, stemmed glass with a round bowl tapering inward at the rim.Typical Size: 8 oz.

Sherry glass
The preferred glass for aperitifs, ports, and sherry. The copita, with it's aroma enhancing narrow taper, is a type of sherry glass.Typical Size: 2 oz.

Shot glass
A small glass suitable for vodka, whiskey and other liquors. Many "shot" mixed drinks also call for shot glasses.Typical Size: 1.5 oz.

Whiskey sour glass
Also known as a delmonico glass, this is a stemmed, wide opening glass, alike to a small version of a champagne flute.Typical Size: 5 oz.

White wine glass
A clear, thin, stemmed glass with an elongated oval bowl tapering inward at the rim. Typical Size: 12.5 oz.

TYPES OF GLASSWARE

Many standard patterns and sizes of glassware are available
to serve each drink. Most glass drinking vessels are either tumblers,
flat-bottomed glasses with no handle, foot, or stem; footed glasses,
which have a bowl above a flat base, but no stem; or stemware,
which have a bowl on a stem above a flat base. Neither a tumbler,
footed, nor a stem, yard (beer) is a very tall, conical beer glass, with
a round ball base, usually hung on the wall when empty.




GLASSWARE

Glassware refers to glass and drinkware items besides
tableware, such as dishes, cutlery and flatware, used to set a table
for eating a meal. The term usually refers to the drinking vessels,
unless the dinnerware is also made of glass. The choice of the right
qulity glass is a vital element if the cocktail is to be invitingly
presented and give satisfaction to the consumer. Well designed
glassware combines elegance, strength and stability, and should be
fine and smooth rimmed and of clear glass.

RESTAURANT EQUIPMENTS

The operating equipments used in hotels / restaurants play
an important role in attracting customers. The restaurant operating
equipments include service equipments, furnitures, fixtures and linen
all of which squarely reflects the standard and style of the restaurant.
The atmosphere of a restaurant is largely affected by the kind of
furniture used.
The furniture should be utilitarian and elegant to look at. Very
often by using different materials, designs and finishes and by
careful arrangement, one can change the atmosphere and
appearance of the food service area to suit different occasions.

Elegant and attractive serviceware, colourful and clean
dishes, quality plates and glassware add to the decor of a restaurant.
However, several factors have to be considered while selecting the
equipment.
· Standard of the restaurant
· Types of service
· Décor and theme of the restaurant
· Type of clientele
· Durability of equipment
· Ease of maintenance
· Availability when stocks runout for replacement
· Storage
· Flexibility of use
· Price factors
· Standardization
A hotel / restaurant should be well stocked with appropriate
equipment to provide quality service. For multipurpose use and to
cut down costs, most hotels / restaurants standardise equipment in
terms of size and colour.
Food and beverage service equipment may be divided into
glassware, chinaware and tableware which are further subdivided
into flatware, cutlery and hollowware.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

UNDESIRABLE QUALITIES OF A WAITER

i) Forgetting to great the arriving customer pleasantly.
ii) Letting guests seat themselves, inspite of being present near
the table and not otherwise engaged.
iii) Refusing to assist a guest or seating a guest at a dirty table.
iv) Serving from the wrong side, when it is possible to serve from
the correct side
v) Not setting tables properly and placing empty sugar bowls /
cruet sets on the table.
vi) Forgetting to say 'Pardon me', or 'Excuse me, sir / madam, if a
mistake has been made.
vii) Being too familiar with guests. This could lead to embarrassing
situations.
viii) Gathering in groups in operational areas and talking loudly and
showing signs of irritability with other members of the staff.
ix) Leaving fingerprints on crockery / glassware or making a noise
by clattering the service equipment.
x) Keeping the side station dirty or using torn or stained linen.
xi) Forgetting a dish that has been ordered, or serving wrong
accompaniments.
xii) Overfilling water glasses or leaving them empty or leaving dirty
ashtrays on an occupied table.
xiii) Being inattentive to a guest's needs, for example, forgetting
special instructions from the guest, such as less chillies or no
onions in the food

xiv) Using cold plates for hot food and hot plates for cold food.
xv) Touching food with one's hands.
xvi) Not following the rules of quality waiting at table.
xvii) Soliciting tips or questioning the amount of tips.

ATTRIBUTES OF A WAITER

The quality of service staff in any establishment reflects the
quality of the establishment itself. No matter how good the food and
ambience are, poorly trained, untidy or rude staff can antagonize
customers. On the other hand, if the staffs are well-trained and

efficient, they can, to a certain extent, make up for other
shortcomings in the services provided.
1) Personal Hygiene and Appearance
· All members of the staff should be well-groomed and clean
at all times, as this gives them a sense of well-being and
confidence to do their job efficiently.
· The hands of the waiting staff should be given special
attention, as they are constantly under the scrutiny of the
guests. Nails should be trimmed and kept clean. Playing
with one's hair and face should be avoided.
· Chewing gum should be avoided in all public areas of the
hotel.
· Minimum jewelry should be worn by the service staff. A
wristwatch, finger ring and plain earrings (for girls only)
should be permitted.
· If an employee has a skin problem, a doctor should be
consulted immediately
· The uniform should be clean and well-pressed. Shoes should
be properly polished and well-fitting.
2) Good Conduct
All service staff should be well-mannered and respectful to
guests, and to senior members of the staff. They should be
calm and pleasant, even in the most tiring circumstances. They
should be able to satisfactorily solve any problem that may
arise. In case of difficulty, a senior and experienced member of
the staff should be consulted. Tact, punctuality and honesty
are admirable qualities among service personnel.
3) Good Memory
A good memory helps to improve performance. It also
helps the service personnel to attend to small but important
details such as remembering a guest's name or his likes and
dislikes regarding food and beverages.
4) Observation
A keen sense of observation and an eye for detail will help
a member of the staff to be more efficient at his job. An ability
to correctly judge people is definitely an advantage. A sense of
anticipation in the service industry is an invaluable quality. The
ability to anticipate what a guest or the management needs,
even before it is asked for creates a very good impression.
5) Concentration and Skill
Waiting at a table requires concentration and skill. Service
staff should develop a sense of urgency in the performance of

their duties. Good service may not be commented upon, but
bad service is surely noticed and talked about. Service should
be prompt and without the show of haste.
6) Salesmanship
Food and beverage service personnel are technical
salespersons; hence they should have a thorough knowledge
of the proper presentation and service of all the food and
beverages served in the establishment. Waiters should be kept
informed by their superiors of deletions or additions to the
menu.
7) Ability to Assume Responsibility
All service staff should be able to cope with the
demands of the job and possess the ability to assume
responsibility. They should be loyal to their employers,
responsible to the guests, and friendly towards their fellow
workers. They should not consider any job as menial and
should be willing to perform all kinds of jobs efficiently. This will
help the service staff to grow in their careers and at the same
time enhance the image of the establishment in the eyes of the
guests.
8) Maximise Revenue
Cutting down on costs and maximizing the revenue of the
the establishment should be of prime objective to all members of
the staff, even those in junior positions.
9) Punctuality
Punctuality is all-important. If staff is continually late for
duty, it shows a lack of interest in their work and a lack of
respect for the management and customers.
10) Local Knowledge
In the interest of customers, the staff should have a certain
knowledge of the area in which they work so that they may be
able to advise the guests on the various forms of entertainment
offered, the best means of transport to places of interest and
so on.
11) Personality
Staff must be tactful, courteous, good humoured and of an
even temper. They must converse with the customer in a
pleasing and well-spoken manner and the ability to smile at the
right time.

12) Attitude to Customers
The correct approach towards the customer is of the
utmost importance. The staff must not be servile but should
anticipate the customer's needs and wishes. A careful watch
should be kept on customers at all times during the service
without staring. Care should always be taken when dealing
with difficult customers. (There is really no such thing as a
'difficult' customer – they are normal people whom one is
uncertain how to deal with.) Staff should never argue with
customers as this will only aggravate the situation. All
complaints should be referred to someone in authority in the
food service area.
13) Honesty
This is all-important for the staff in dealings with both the
customer and the management. If there is trust and respect in
the triangle of staff, customer, and management relationships,
then there will be a pleasant work atmosphere which encourages
efficiency and a good team spirit among the food and beverage
service operators.

STATUS OF A STEWARD

The duties of waiting staff include preparing tables (table
setting) for a meal, taking customers' orders, serving drinks and
food, and cleaning up before, during and after servings in a
restaurant. He must have knowledge of proper rules of etiquette in
order to furnish working service in either a formal or informal sitting.
Other task of a waiter includes:
1. Reports to Senior Captain / Captain to receive necessary
instruction for the shift and for any menu changes.
2. Has to attend briefings conducted by senior captain.
3. Sets the assigned tables and ensures that the services
area too is well-stocked with linen, silver, glassware,
china etc. Sets up any special displays that be used for
the meal period.
4. Greets guests and sometimes assists the host/ hostess in
seating guest. Fills water glasses, serves butter,
cocktails, answers questions about menu items and
makes suggestions about dishes and wine if the customer
requests or desires.
5. Takes orders on check, turns or gives over with
specification the order to the cooks with consideration to
the timing of the preceding courses. Picks up all food and
all other required items from various stations.
6. May carve meats, bone fish and prepare flaming dishes
or desserts at guest’s table. He may assist Senior
Captain for the same.
7. May serve guests from plates to the guest’s table.
8. Other tasks to be performed as determined by
establishment from time to time.
9. Replenishes wine, water, butter, and bread as and when
required.
10. Observes the guests in order to anticipate any additional
request and to perceive when the meal has been
completed.
11. After all the guests have finished each course and before
the next one is served, the waiter/ waitress should
remove all soiled dishes or ensure that the assistant
stewatard does it.
12. When guests have finished the meal, the table is cleared
and reset and ready for the next customer.
13. Performs other tasks as directed by the supervisor.
Depending on the restaurant, other less common duties may
be required, such as singing birthday songs to customers who are
celebrating a birthday. A theme restaurant may even require staff to
dance (e.g. Joe's Crab Shack). There are now event caterers that
outsource waiting staff to events and specific functions. Silver
service staffs are specially trained to serve at banquets or high-end
restaurants. They follow specific rules of service and it is a skilled /
specialized job. They generally wear black and white with a long,
white apron (extending from the waist to ankle).

THE STEWARD

Waiting staff, wait staff, or waitstaff are those who work at a
restaurant or a bar attending customers - supplying them with food
and drink as requested promptly and pleasantly.
The waiter is popularly known as a Steward or Commis-de-
Rang. A female who "waits" on tables is often called a waitress. The
gender-neutral server and collective waitstaff can also be used.
Some people prefer to use gender-neutral language, using
waiter indiscriminately for males and females, waitperson, server, or
waitron.

THE STEWARD

The English writer, Wilfred Gowers-Round, wrote a number of
‘Rules for Waiters’ that he called a ‘Manifesto.’
· A waiter's job is to serve and never to impose himself.
· The goal of waiting is inconspicuous but pleasing service.
· Waiters must be clean and smart and should never wear
cologne.
· Under no circumstances should a waiter ever touch a
diner.
· Wine glasses should never be filled too full.
· Unasked for advice should never be offered.
· If diners are content to pour the wine themselves, let
them.
· Unless asked, no plates should be removed until all have
been finished.
· Women diners should be afforded respect equal to men.
· While attending to the customer, the waiter should make
sure the diner’s coffee cup / water goblet, bread basket,
butter, sugar, cream and clean ashray are kept full at all
times.
· The bill should be placed on the table without ceremony.
· If the diner so desires, the waiter should carry the money
to the cash counter, pay the bill and return the balace to
the diner.

THE STEWARD

A successful restaurant is one which the guests are anxious
to visit again, a place where they feel as comfortable as in their own
homes. This pleasant atmosphere is produced by courtesy; good
well-cooked food; advice in selecting from the available dishes; a
knowledge of how they are prepared; and quiet, efficient, but
unostentatious, service. It is by these amenities that both buyer and
seller are satisfied and goodwill of the business increased. At the
end of the visit the customer is made to feel that he got his money’s
worth in terms of both quality food and courteous service.
Good waiters are necessary to the success and development
of the hotel and catering industry. Waiters play an important part as,
in effect, an efficient salesman of food, one who assists materially in
merchandising and its accompanying services. Waiter is in direct
contact with the guests and therefore much of catering
establishment’s success depends on the skills, interest and
personable qualities of the waiter. The waiters are prompted to
develop tact and initiative and by keeping their brains active and
reveal their personality.