Online Class: Waiter and Waitress Training 101

This course will help you become a great waiter, including how to prepare for it, what you need to know, and whether or not you have the personality to do the job well.

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$120.00 (with CEU Certificate)
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  • 11
    Lessons
  • 17
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 1,153
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 7
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.7
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

Mastering the Art of Table Service: An In-Depth Guide to Thriving as a Waiter

For many, the restaurant industry serves as a gateway to financial independence, be it a part-time gig, a summer job, a way to fund their college education, or a rewarding career. Within this sector, the role of a waiter is both challenging and rewarding, demanding an amalgamation of soft skills, technical knowledge, and a deep understanding of human nature.

Historically, table service traces its origins to Europe, particularly England, where serving the elite was an esteemed profession. Over the years, the profession made its way to America, adapting, evolving, and thriving. Today, the perception of waiting tables has undergone a paradigm shift. Gone are the days when it was seen as a menial job. Modern waitstaff in high-end establishments can earn upwards of two thousand dollars a week, making it a lucrative career option for many.

This course seeks to offer a comprehensive overview of the waiter's role. Drawing from in-depth interviews with experienced waitstaff, hiring managers, and restaurateurs, we provide invaluable insights into what employers seek in an ideal candidate. Whether you aspire to work in a cozy family diner or an upscale restaurant, the knowledge imparted here will serve as your compass.

Key highlights of the curriculum include:

  • Lesson 1: The Waiter's Role: Dive deep into the intricacies of the waiter's role, evaluating if it aligns with your personality and career aspirations.

  • Lesson 2: Navigating Restaurant Hierarchies: Understand the dynamics of the restaurant staff, fostering synergy and seamless operations.

  • Lesson 3: Grasping Service Types & Table Etiquettes: Learn about diverse serving methods rooted in different cultures, and master the art of table settings.

  • Lesson 4: Excellence in Table Service: Equip yourself with skills to offer impeccable service, enhancing the dining experience for patrons.

  • Lesson 5: Order Management: Techniques for accurate order-taking, ensuring minimal errors and heightened customer satisfaction.

  • Lesson 6: The Power of Suggestion: Harness the art of suggestive selling, boosting restaurant sales while catering to patrons' preferences.

  • Lesson 7: Navigating Complex Scenarios: Address unique challenges that might arise, ensuring a seamless dining experience.

  • Lesson 8: Beyond the Table – Additional Responsibilities: Familiarize yourself with other key responsibilities, ensuring holistic growth in the industry.

  • Lesson 9: Mastery in Beverage Service: Dive deep into the nuances of serving beverages, from cocktails to coffees, ensuring patrons' desires are met.

  • Lesson 10: The Essence of Teamwork: Cultivate teamwork and collaborative skills, pivotal for the smooth functioning of any restaurant.

  • Lesson 11: Prioritizing Health - Sanitation & Food Safety: Recognize the paramount importance of hygiene and food safety, safeguarding both the patrons and the establishment's reputation.

As a waiter, you'll find yourself playing multiple roles - a communicator, a salesperson, an ambassador for the restaurant, and at times, a conflict resolver. This profession will not only equip you with skills pertinent to the industry but will also offer a deep dive into understanding diverse human behaviors and preferences.

By the culmination of this course, equipped with newfound skills and insights, you'll be poised to approach even the most prestigious restaurants with confidence, ready to carve a niche for yourself in the world of table service.

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.6 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(978 votes)

Lesson 1: So, You Want to Be a Waiter?

Becoming a waitress or a waiter is often as much an accident as it is a choice. Because most positions are on-the-job training, usually all that is required is an opening and a person to fill that opening. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Assessment: Lesson 1: So, You Want to be a Waitress?

Lesson 2: The Serving Staff

As a waitress looking for a job, you have a fair idea about the questions that will be asked during your interview and how to respond to them. What we will do now is turn the tables on you. 16 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Complete Assignment: Lesson 2: Duties of a Server
  • Assessment: Lesson 2: The Serving Staff

Lesson 3: Types of Service and Table Settings

Restaurants are categorized into three basic types: Fine, Bistro/Trattoria, and Family Style. 12 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 3: Types of Service and Table Settings

Lesson 4: Table Service

Contrary to the average American's understanding, table service is much more than food being brought to your table for a "sit down" meal. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 : Table Service

Lesson 5: Taking Orders

Every establishment has a specific protocol for taking orders from the table and giving them to the kitchen and assembly areas. A new server needs to learn this protocol as quickly as possible in order to be an efficient team member. 16 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Complete Assignment: Lesson 5: Giving and Collecting Orders in a Restaurant
  • Assessment: Lesson 5: Taking Orders

Lesson 6: Suggestions and Suggestive Selling

As mentioned earlier in the lessons, one of your jobs as a server is to be a salesperson. You are in the business of selling food and service, and the more you sell, the higher the check at the end of the night. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 6: Suggestions and Suggestive Selling

Lesson 7: Special Situations

Servers who intend to make a good living become students of human nature. Learning to read people is a skill anyone can learn. 22 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Complete Assignment: Lesson 7: Dealing with Unhappy Customers
  • Assessment: Lesson 7: Special Situations

Lesson 8: Other Duties

Side work duties are time consuming, yet necessary, to the efficient and smooth running of any restaurant. Most people are assigned specific duties so that no one waitress is responsible for every side duty that is necessary. 15 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete Assignment: Lesson 8: Side Work Duties of a Server
  • Assessment: Lesson 8: Other Duties

Lesson 9: Beverage Service

For waiters and waitresses who work in such an establishment, your tip can easily be doubled when your party orders alcohol. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 9: Beverage Service

Lesson 10: Team Work

Part of an effective establishment is the development of true teamwork and team spirit. 12 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 10: Team Work

Lesson 11: Sanitation and Food Safety

Accidents happen anywhere, anytime. Your job, when you work in a restaurant situation, is to try to make sure that accidents have less of a chance of actually happening. 58 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Let us know what you think of this course; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Assessment: Lesson 11: Sanitation and Food Safety
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
194
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Describe what the job role of the wait staff is and whether or not this is a job prospect for you.
  • Summarize the serving staff.
  • Describe types of service and table settings.
  • Describe table service.
  • Summarize taking orders.
  • Demonstrate suggestions and suggestive selling.
  • Recognize special situations.
  • Describe beverage service.
  • Describe team work.
  • Demonstrate sanitation and food safety.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Waiter and Waitress Training 101
Course Number: 7550098
Lessons Rating: 4.6 / 5 Stars (978 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, and Washington.
Last Updated: January 2024
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 0.7 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: UniversalClass Instructional Team
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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