Any tips for a new waitress at Olive Garden? I’m nervous and supposed to do my first alone shift tomorrow?
I have been in training for this past week, and can’t quite seem to get my opening "speech" about the wine and appetizer and entree down. i also haven’t been fully trained on the dash and i am so scared i am going to just be lost tomorrow. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!!!!!! It’s a lunch shift on a Saturday- eeeek!
Hi! Well, being a waitress at Olive Garden myself, here is what I do.
They sit down and for opening speech i always say the same thing…
"hi how are you (ladies/gentlemen) today? can i get you started with a glass of wine or an italian soda? ok, great. and how about an appetizer? do you want me to get some calamari or stuffed mushrooms going while you are looking over the menu? ok, i’ll be right back with you drinks."
then i usually always grab a basket of breadsticks at the same time as the drinks. that way if i get a new table in the meantime, they can still munch on the bread until i get them their soup/salad/appetizers… it saves a lot of stress trying to rush everything out at once and also saves the ping pong trips back and forth to the kitchen.
another thing is SMILE. seriously. it gets you everywhere. ALSO, in todays society, alot of women influence their finances and will have alot to do with your tip, so pay more attention to the women than the men, even if it is easier to flirt with men to increase tips, NEVER do it if a woman is present, instead, make it personal to her, by complimenting her outfit/hair or talking to her baby/child.
i hope this helps…good luck and "welcome to the family" š
You’re going to be fine. Practice your speech on your family or friends, but if you do falter a little, just smile and go on. No one is expecting perfection, and in no time you’ll be an old pro. Ask questions when you need to. Be friendly to your customers and they’ll love you. Good luck!
References :
It can be a little nerve racking, but don’t stress too much, it will only make things worse. A little advise from a pro waitress, everybody makes mistakes, everybody gets rushed, and everybody figures out how to pull through. Don’t worry about your speech too much, by the end of tomorrow you’ll have it down. So Relax, don’t stress, ask for help if needed, and Good Luck.
P.S. If you tell people it’s your first day, they are more forgiving and decent tippers.
References :
I have been a server and come from a family of them.
1. Don’t worry so much about your speech, just smile A LOT and look your customers in the eye. Smile – Smile – Smile.
2. Be sure that ALL glasses are refilled. Do not let your tables run out of drinks.
3. Learn to scan all of your tables before you ever go back to the kitchen so you can get everything you need in one trip. You will save time.
4. Be apologetic if the kitchen screws up.
5. Pay attention to your waiter or waitress when you go out to eat and determine on your own what makes a good waitress.
6. Be yourself.
References :
if there’s an area that you can’t yet master, jot down on paper what you do understand about the task, then if it’s a step you have left out. ask the person that train you, in her or his convient time. just tell them that you don’t feel comfortable in the performing the task.(this helps for me) keep a small notebook in your apron pocket with the steps listed in the order you should perform them. use arrows, abbv. or drawings. GOOD LUCK! you will be fine. I work as a food safey inspector full time. i know missing a step can cause a big problem.
References :
Hi! Well, being a waitress at Olive Garden myself, here is what I do.
They sit down and for opening speech i always say the same thing…
"hi how are you (ladies/gentlemen) today? can i get you started with a glass of wine or an italian soda? ok, great. and how about an appetizer? do you want me to get some calamari or stuffed mushrooms going while you are looking over the menu? ok, i’ll be right back with you drinks."
then i usually always grab a basket of breadsticks at the same time as the drinks. that way if i get a new table in the meantime, they can still munch on the bread until i get them their soup/salad/appetizers… it saves a lot of stress trying to rush everything out at once and also saves the ping pong trips back and forth to the kitchen.
another thing is SMILE. seriously. it gets you everywhere. ALSO, in todays society, alot of women influence their finances and will have alot to do with your tip, so pay more attention to the women than the men, even if it is easier to flirt with men to increase tips, NEVER do it if a woman is present, instead, make it personal to her, by complimenting her outfit/hair or talking to her baby/child.
i hope this helps…good luck and "welcome to the family" š
References :