What is a Server? "Server" is the politically correct term for a male or female that waits tables in a restaurant. Formerly called "Waitress" or "Waiter", the new term creates a more polished image of the job itself. A Server may have many different duties depending on the establishment they are employed at. Some of those duties may include: Serving customers food or beverages. Keeping the restaurant clean. Preparing some food or drink items. Restocking supplies used by a server. Rolling silverware. Bussing or clearing tables. Being Aware! The best tip I could give any server is to be Aware. Restaurants are busy places. It is very easy to focus soley on your customers during peak periods and leave other important things overlooked. Getting into what I call a Groove will help you to give your customers top priority and being well prepared to do so. Keeping the restaurant neat, and your service station fully stocked are very important to your success. A few things that servers should be aware of during their shift are: Table/Booth seats are crumb free and clean. That the floors and walkways are clean and free of debris. Glassware and silverware are kept fully stocked. Menus are clean and in good condition. Your tables are clean and fully stocked. Coolers and walk-ins are at temperature. (34-40 degrees) Click here for more information on Food Safety and Sanitation. The Customers Eyes! See what your guest sees! No matter how cheerful you are, or how attentive you are to your guests needs, if the image of the restaurant is a turn-off, your good service won't matter. Have any of these things ever happened to you at a restaurant? The salt shaker is empty or sticky. Gum on the seat sticks to your pants. You take off the ketchup bottle lid and it's crusty! The bathroom has no toilet paper. There is hard food on your fork or knife. How could these things get overlooked? A competent server is aware and acts to make things right before the guest finds the problem. One person cannot be responsible for the entire restaurant image. You must work as a team to make your restaurant shine.