Staying Up-to-Date in the Professional Bartending Industry

To be successful in the bar or restaurant business, it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and news.

Waiters

don't usually need formal education credentials to enter the occupation, although some employers may require or prefer candidates to have a high school diploma. They typically learn their skills through on-the-job training that lasts a few weeks. Gaining experience in other jobs or occupations can also be beneficial for waiters.

Even though it can be a rewarding job, there will always be days when the workload is overwhelming. To better serve an establishment and its customers, mixologists must take classes to keep up to date with the latest products, according to Frank Martucci, executive vice president of the Waiters' Guild of the United States and general manager of beverage operations at the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island. From an employer's perspective, a waiter who has obtained a course can be trusted to manage potential risks, “since he can assess situations first-hand and manage that situation in a way adequate” according to state or federal laws, Venturini said. Educating waiters and mixologists about their craft not only benefits them but also the establishment they work for, their employers and their guests, Martucci said. One of the best and easiest ways to stay informed is to read as much as possible.

Waiters should also listen carefully to their customers' orders, explain drinks and food, and recommend menu items. Tim Lefèvre found that taking a waiter training course in Amsterdam was a great way to make an exciting change in his life. For example, waiters must know how to calculate the profit margins of different beverages, as well as the various factors that influence consumption rates. With an increasing demand for waiters in full-service restaurants and places to drink, it is expected that more waiters will be needed.

Waiters must observe customers, identify those who are intoxicated or underage, and deny them service. Under the guidance of an experienced waiter, students learn cocktail recipes, bar setup procedures, and customer service skills such as how to deal with unruly customers and other difficult situations. Waiters handle beverage orders for customers directly at the bar or through waiters and waitresses who serve in the dining room.