Every time we read a review on the internet of a hotel establishment more than 75% of them are in reference to the service. It is more than clear that one of the key points of the success of an establishment is to have a professional and quality customer service staff to succeed. It is of no use to have an exquisite gastronomy but at the time of offering it something fails; long waiting time, lack of information about the dishes, bad gestures or even poor service, are failures that a professional waiter should not have.
So, what qualities should we look at when hiring a professional butler?
Commitment.- The waiter should always keep in mind that the sales in their workplace are directly related to their attitude towards the customer. Their job is not only to serve tables but to serve the client satisfactorily.
Good communication. – The waiter will be in direct contact with the customer so it is essential to have a good service attitude, be friendly, know how to understand the customer’s needs and serve them so that the customer is satisfied. Something that never fails is a smile when it comes to customer service, it is something that is sought in every process of customer service selection.
Resolutive.– A professional waiter should be proactive, think fast as he will have to solve any problem that arises with the client or attend unexpected requests quickly and effectively without losing the sKnow the menu. – A professional waiter will know the whole dish that will serve your guests; ingredients, preparation, Provenance to be able to attend all the doubts that comes to diners when choosing dish and even advise them if they have any questions about your choice of dish.
Know the menu. – A professional waiter will know the whole dish that will serve your guests; ingredients, preparation, provenance to be able to attend all the doubts that comes to diners when choosing dish and even advise them if they have any questions about your choice of dish.
Sommelier.- A good qualified waiter will have knowledge of wine which will make it possible to advise diners of a good drink to accompany their delicious dishes.
Protocol.- A high-profile waiter should know the different ways of attending a table, how to speak to the customer, serve him correctly and ordered starting with the ladies and from left to right, serving from left and picking from right. Skill with trays and sauces. Remove the table in an orderly manner and always pending any demand from diners.
Education.– You will always address your customers, you will never be called even if they are regular customers. Never lose to think that they are not friends, they are customers and we must serve them as such. In case of any mishap or issue that you did not know or could solve, you will call the room manager to solve it. You should never come into direct conflict with the customer.
Languages.- Of course, a good professional waiter will be training in a language other than his or her mother tongue, since he or she will be in need of having to effectively serve clients of other nationalities. The most popular languages are English, Spanish, French, Arabic, German, Russian. Portuguese, Hindi, Turkish, Mandarin or even Japanese. Although it depends and varies a little from the type and specialty of the hotel establishment.
Stress.- Every good waiter should be able to manage stress efficiently, many times are the rush of the service itself, high demands of customers to attend to them as soon as possible, all without losing the smile and positive attitude, Also the stress that is experienced in the kitchen should never pass into the room and be perceived by diners.
Discretion.- The professional waiter of high level of service will always stay in the shade, serve customers efficiently always maintaining a completely discreet profile, which we understand being without being .
These are some guidelines to keep in mind when hiring an exceptional professional waiter, we should not lose the good harmony between professionalism and the vocation of service which will make the enjoyment unforgettable and there will always be a view to return.
What is the best cutlery to make a silver service?
To make a good service of silver we must take into account both the crockery and the cutlery, although without forgetting the ornaments both with small pieces as the floral ornaments.
In the case of tableware we can highlight the following:
Porcelain tableware: It is a material highly appreciated both for its delicate appearance and for its beauty and resistance. It also has numerous advantages for use:
Hygiene: Porcelain does not absorb odors or flavors as it is a vitrified material, as well as does not accumulate residue which makes it perfect when cleaning and disinfecting.
Resistance: It is a very resistant material which means that we can keep it for a long time.
Temperature conservation: It keeps the temperature long time for both cold and hot dishes which means that if you had to wait to serve it would still retain its temperature.
Alpaca tableware: It is characterized by its high quality, beauty and lightness which will allow its use in a light and simple way. It has a color more similar to steel but of equal beauty.
Tableware decorated in silver or platinum: They are usually made of porcelain and delicately decorated in silver or platinum which will raise the elegance of the table.
Silver tableware: It is the most required material when it comes to a gala service, protocol and elegant. The silver is light and a little heavier.
In case of cutlery we can highlight:
Silver cutlery: Silver is highly appreciated both for its strength, durability and beauty. It also has the advantage that it always adds elegance to the table so it is very much required in formal and important events. It has easy maintenance and is resistant to use.
Where will we keep the silver service cutlery?
While the silver cutlery is not used, it should be kept in mind while keeping some points in mind as it is a delicate material, therefore we will take into account:
Clean, dry and dark case: It is advisable not to expose it to the air as it can oxidize with greater speed and produce blackening or yellow spots.
Cutlery separation: Cutlery should preferably be separated with cotton covers to avoid scratching.
Cotton covers: It is a packaging widely used to store cutlery, protects it by units and prevents moisture and air.
How do we clean silver cutlery?
Silver cutlery will be removed from time to time to keep it clean and ready to use at any time. The use of dishwashers for cleaning will be ruled out as stains may appear and spoil its shine.
There are some ways to clean it properly such as:
With toothpaste: The paste will be applied with a brush gently worn by the surface, then rinsed with warm water then dried with a clean cotton cloth.
Boiling water: Put the cutlery to clean in a pot with boiling water for a few minutes. They will be removed and put on a clean cloth to cool, then dry and shine gently with a clean white cotton cloth.
Alcohol: It will be used if the cutlery has many stains. It will be applied with a soft cotton wool especially on the stains so that they are clean, once done it will be washed with warm water and neutral soap and put on a clean cloth to drain. Then dry with a white cotton cloth.
Bicarbonate: This product is recommended in the case of very large stains. Apply baking soda with a thin sponge and remove to clean with a clean white cotton cloth.
In the event that the cutlery presents a strong blackening or was very old, it will be recommended to consult a specialist for proper cleaning and handling.
In addition, for all cases it is advisable not to touch the cutlery with your fingers when drying and handling it when storing it in its case taking care to do so with white cotton gloves or with a clean dry white cloth so as not to leave marks that can spoil your final cleaning.
What is silver cutlery worth?
Silver is one of the seven most recognized metals on the planet and great natural beauty. It is scarce and can be found in nature as a free element or mixed with other metals. Also if it is old it has a measured value by collectors or in case it is well familiar a great sentimental value. But how to know or recognize the value of our silverware? We show you some tricks to identify their value:
Fine silver: It is of great beauty, soft and scarce. It is characterized by having about 99 9% silver, so it is qualified as pure or fine silver.
Sterling Silver: It is a combination of 92 5% silver with 7 5% copper which makes it more resistant and durable than fine silver. It is known as 925 silver.
Have a sign of authenticity: It is usually a seal that certifies the origin and its manufacturer. They can be initials or numbers like 8000, 900 or 925, which are indicators of silver purity.
Odourless: Silver does not smell so if you perceive any smell would not be silver, it would be another metal.
Magnet: Silver is hardly magnetic so if it attracts a magnet it means it wouldn’t be silver, it could be iron or nickel.
Residue: The silver will oxidize and turn black otherwise it would not be authentic.
Ice: If it is real silver, an ice cube would melt upon contact with the metal.
To know the real value of silver cutlery is recommended to go to a professional appraiser or antiques expert so that you can value the cutlery with determination because its value can vary according to its age, origin, weight, design. Then you can decide whether to sell it or keep it in the family.
Bon appetit!
