Adventures in serving:
I once worked with a man named Kier. We both worked brunches every weekend. He told me that when juices were free, he would bring a fresh juice every time the guests glass was half way done. The idea was to fill them up, get them to leave sooner and get another table.
I learned to serve tables at the Grand Canyon in my mid 20s. Working at the Grand Canyon was one of those fluke choices in life that ends up being the best decision you’ve ever made. I started at Havapai lodge which was cafeteria work, but quickly talked my way into being trained at the Bright Angel Lodge restaurant as a server. The restaurant was essentially a Denny’s except we charged a premium for everything. Side of salsa? $2. Extra cheese? $3. This was at a time when a side of salsa was usually free everywhere else and cheese was certainly not $3 a slice. I don’t really remember my training, nor did I write about it in my journal, so I can only say I was left with an overall impression that I enjoyed it. Mostly. I remember Johnny on the spot (cannot remember his name, but I’m guessing it was John something). He taught me about carrying a large oval tray. Not by teaching me, but by showing me. He would spin them, carry them catty-whompus, and showed by example what you could and could not get away with while carrying stuff on a tray. Honestly, I was amazed. To this day, carrying a tray bothers me not one whit. A couple of things I learned about carrying a tray not learned by watching Johnny:
- It’s not a question of if (you drop a tray), it’s when.
- When a tray begins to drop, trust your instincts. I’d say 9 times out of 10 your body/brain knows what to do. Don’t adjust in panic. It’s just food…
I once had a man at the Crowne Plaza Hotel order a full meal with a coke, and when done, order coffee. When I came back with the coffee, he was gone. Dine and dash. 4 years later, he did it to me again.
One thing that bugs servers endlessly is when parents let their children run free in a restaurant. They are a hazard to the servers and themselves. They get in the way and are easy to miss while carrying trays full of hot food. I worked with a server who almost ran right into a 4 year old. He avoided it by, essentially, leaping over the kid while carrying a large tray with a few dirty dishes on it. He fell to the floor and dishes went flying everywhere. It was loud and everyone went to check on the server and the kid. The kid was crying loudly, the parents were making sure he wasn’t hurt and apologizing profusely and the server kept saying, don’t worry, don’t worry, I’m fine. Is the kid okay?
I am 100% positive the server did that dramatic leap over the kid on purpose. Good for him.
I once had a man order our 'Captain's Platter'. A lot of people didn't realize it came battered and fried, so I mentioned it to him. He was barely paying attention and mumbled a distracted 'That's fine.' and waved me off. I brought his food and he said 'I didn't know this was a fried dish!' His friend looked at him and said, 'She specifically said 'just so you know, this is a battered and fried dish!' I love when someone else at the table voices exactly what I want to say.
A work friend of mine had a pretty, red, box left behind at one of his tables. He left a note in it that said 'What's in the Box?!" -Brad Pitt
I decided to take it to the next level.
He thought it was the funniest thing! He put it aside and went to get it later, but it had mysteriously disappeared.
I once leaned over a table to talk to another table only to have my hair catch on fire. Just a little, but it smelled pretty bad. Victor, the piano man, kept chanting 'We don't care, we don't care, we don't care you burnt your hair!'
A busy, busy brunch. A round tray full of bloody Mary's and mimosas being held aloft to avoid the crowd. A toddler crying, being carried by his dad, reaching out for the pretty colors on a tray. A scowling server covered in bloody Mary's and mimosas going back to the bar to ask for remakes of all the drinks being cleaned up off the floor by her busser. I. Do. Not. Miss. Brunch.
I once had a man order our 'Captain's Platter'. A lot of people didn't realize it came battered and fried, so I mentioned it to him. He was barely paying attention and mumbled a distracted 'That's fine.' and waved me off. I brought his food and he said 'I didn't know this was a fried dish!' His friend looked at him and said, 'She specifically said 'just so you know, this is a battered and fried dish!' I love when someone else at the table voices exactly what I want to say.
A work friend of mine had a pretty, red, box left behind at one of his tables. He left a note in it that said 'What's in the Box?!" -Brad Pitt
I decided to take it to the next level.
He thought it was the funniest thing! He put it aside and went to get it later, but it had mysteriously disappeared.
I once leaned over a table to talk to another table only to have my hair catch on fire. Just a little, but it smelled pretty bad. Victor, the piano man, kept chanting 'We don't care, we don't care, we don't care you burnt your hair!'
A busy, busy brunch. A round tray full of bloody Mary's and mimosas being held aloft to avoid the crowd. A toddler crying, being carried by his dad, reaching out for the pretty colors on a tray. A scowling server covered in bloody Mary's and mimosas going back to the bar to ask for remakes of all the drinks being cleaned up off the floor by her busser. I. Do. Not. Miss. Brunch.
11.11.2017 Saturday night
I had a couple in for their anniversary. The wife went to the rest room. I set up some butter and scallions on their table to fluff their baked potato with. I came back to drop something else off and the gentleman told me he thought the bowl of butter was pineapple and he got a piece on his fork and popped it in his mouth. I just couldn't stop laughing! He told his wife when she got back and she laughed and said, 'I was only gone for 5 minutes!'
These are just some slices of my working life. I really enjoy what I do and am glad that if I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, at least I found something that worked well for me.
These are just some slices of my working life. I really enjoy what I do and am glad that if I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, at least I found something that worked well for me.
