Ensure the waiter understands the service operating procedures. Offer on the job training : Pair the new waiter with an experienced colleague. Give regular feedback Role-play scenarios: Provide resources: Share customer service tips, articles, or videos that can help reinforce good practices.

Lorsque j'étais commis chez Paul Bocuse il y a 10 ans au restaurant 3 étoiles, j'ai cassé un verre en plein service, en plein milieu de la salle. François Pipala, Maître d'hôtel et Meilleur Ouvrier de France en 1994, est venu vers moi calmement. Il m'a dit : "Ce n'est pas grave, ça arrive à tout le monde. Maintenant, prends une balayette et une ramassette, et ramasse-le... mais fais-le avec classe !" Cette réponse m'a marqué. Au lieu de me stresser davantage, il a su transformer cet incident en une leçon positive, me rappelant que l'élégance ne réside pas dans l'absence d'erreurs, mais dans la manière de les gérer. Dans ce métier, il faut rester humble et humain, et avec classe bien sûr !

Ensure that they are set up for success. Menu knowledge along with adequate (and growing) understanding of food preparation techniques. There is no shortcut to acquiring product knowledge. Don't let them go out there on the floor unprotected. Hopefully you weren't so desperate for a server that you have to shove them out there prematurely. If they have the potential but yet lack the base, tell them to apply again in a month and give them some homework.

To help a new waiter improve customer service standards, start with a one-on-one conversation to identify specific areas where they are struggling, whether it's attentiveness, communication, or handling orders. Provide constructive feedback, focusing on examples and offering clear guidance on how to improve. Pair them with an experienced team member for mentoring and on-the-job training, allowing them to observe good practices firsthand. Role-play common customer scenarios to build their confidence, and set measurable goals for improvement. Regularly check in to offer support and acknowledge their progress, fostering a positive learning environment.

Role-playing and pairing new waiters with experienced mentors have been game-changers for us. It builds confidence quickly while ensuring they learn in real-time!

Start by identifying specific areas where they’re falling short, such as order accuracy, attentiveness, or efficiency, and offer actionable advice for improvement. Examples and scenarios will be helpful when providing feedback and creating an action plan. Then provide constructive feedback in a supportive manner. I’ve found that acknowledging what people do well before addressing areas for improvement helps them see that their strengths are recognized, making them more receptive to feedback about their weaknesses. Regularly check in on their progress, giving positive reinforcement when they improve. Clear guidance, ongoing support, and patience will help them meet customer service standards.

- ✅ Provide Clear Feedback : Start with constructive, specific feedback about where they are falling short. - ⭐️ Pair him with a more experienced waiter for hands on guidance. Provide refresher training on service standards, menu knowledge, and customer interaction. - 🎯 Set clear, achievable targets for improvement, such as reducing order errors or improving response times. Regularly check their progress to ensure they're on the right track. - 💪 Encourage Confidence: Sometimes the issue is confidence, not skill. Encourage him to take initiative and assure them that mistakes are part of the learning process.