Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE

F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

College of Education

Learning Material # 12

NAME OF FACULTY: Angelita M. Orendain

SUBJECT: Family and Consumer Life Skills

SCHEDULE FOR INSTRUCTION: TTh/ 9:00 am – 10:30 am

TOPIC: Waiting at the Table

OBJECTIVES:

1. Define waiting at the table and its related term.

2. Explain the pointers to remember in dining.

DISCUSSION:

Learning Activities:

Read and Learn

Introduction
1. Waiting at the table
https://www.slideshare.net/suekko_heintz/waiting-at-the-table-64832817

2. Waiter Training: Steps of service. Live recording of waiting tables!

Restaurant training video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQLLAjsi_oQ
3. Do’s and Don’ts Table Service

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XUfzRVfauk
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

College of Education
WAITING AT THE TABLE
Waiting at the Table
Waiting at the table consists of a set of procedures done by food service personnel who attend
to the needs of customers. This set of procedures includes the work of the waiter even before the
guest or customer arrives.

Sidework It is a term indicating all the duties the waiter or waitress perform, other than those
directly related to serving the guests. It includes the initial duties in preparing the dining room,
studying the menu and leaving the work in proper order.

Station assignment It refers to the station or section of the dining room assigned to a waiter or
waitress.

Dining room preparation Includes preparing the table such as placing the table cloth and
setting up a cover.

Preparing a sidestand Includes the checking of supplies for condiments and extra table
appointments.

Sidestand It is the storage and service unit located close to the serving areas.

Initiating the service It means beginning the service which includes the meeting and seating of
guests, taking the order, placing the order and picking this up in the kitchen.

Serving the meal It means bringing the food ordered to the table and attending to the guests
throughout the meal

Handling the guest check Concludes the waiter’s service to the guests.

Finally, the table is cleared and cleaned before the next guest arrives. In large restaurants, a busboy
helps the waiter in some of his tasks.

TABLE ETIQUETTE- It refers to good manners; decorum or good taste. It involves the suitable,
comfortable, and rightful thing to do for the occasion, the place and the time.

Pointers to remember in dining:

1. Have small bites for a quick emptying of mouth.
2. It is not advisable to drink beverages when food is in your mouth.
3. Do not chew with an open mouth.
4. Talk only when your mouth is empty.
5. Hands are not placed in hair, ears or face while eating.
6.  Use knife to push food onto your fork not your finger. Knife is held at the left hand as held in
the right hand for cutting.
7. Do not lower your head to lift food; lift food to your mouth.
8. Spoon vegetable soups and other types of soups. Drink only thin soups.
9.  Finger foods maybe taken and eaten with fingers. Finger foods may include bread, pastries,
and small fruits.

10. Always keep your plate looking neat and tidy.

 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

College of Education

General Rules on Table Service 

1. When serving, say “Excuse me, Sir/Ma’am”.  Clear the table either from the right side or
left side of the guest, in front of the table, or whichever is more convenient for you and the
guest.
2. Use the hand that can reach the farthest when serving.
3. Never cross the table to serve another guest.  When serving, make sure that your thumb is
not placed on the plate.
4. Meat/fish is to be served facing directly in front of the guest.  In Russian service, food from
a platter is served from the left. Use your left hand to hold the platter and your right hand in
transferring food using cutlery.
5. Always check the preparation of the food before you serve it to the guest.  Never serve
food which has already fallen on the floor.  To ensure correct order for the right person,
make a table plan when taking order.

Sequence of Table Service

1) Welcoming/greeting the guests by the waiter or host.
2) Give the seat to the guest.
3) Offering of beverages or drinks.
4) Serving of drinks.
5) Serving of water.
6) Present the menu card
7) Take food orders from the guest.
8) Complete the set up of tables.
9) Serving of food according to the following sequence:
a. bread and butter
b. appetizer
c. soup
d. salad
c. main course
10) Clearing the table
11) Offering of desserts
12) Serving desserts
13) Offering/serving “after dinner” drinks
14) Presenting/Settling of guest’s check
15) Bidding goodbye and thanking the guest for patronage.

Things to Remember
Waiters and waitresses reflect the image of the restaurant. Efficiency in performing different
activities in the dining room ensures quality service which gains customer satisfaction and gives an
image of a place of quality food service to the restaurant.
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

College of Education
EVALUATION:
I. Direction. Fill in the blank with the correct answer.
1. The term indicating all the duties the waiter or waitresses perform is _________.
2. The station or section of the dining room assigned to a waiter or waitress
is_________.
3. Food is served on the left side of the _______________.
4. In serving beverage to the customer, use the __________ hand.
5. ____________________ consists of a set of procedures done by food service
personnel who attend to the needs of customers
II. Direction. Arrange the following steps in correct order. Write A for the first step, B for
the second and so on.
_____6. Greeting the customer.
_____7. Bringing the food on the table.
_____8. Putting away the soiled dishes.
_____9. Presenting the menu
_____10. Asking for food order.

REFERENCE:
https://www.slideshare.net/suekko_heintz/waiting-at-the-table-64832817
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQLLAjsi_oQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XUfzRVfauk

Reviewed and Evaluated by:

JENNIFER S. RUBIO, Ph.D.

Dean