15 Fine Dining Server Skills for Your Career and Resume

Fine dining servers provide an upscale dining experience for guests in restaurants. They possess a unique set of skills that allow them to provide excellent customer service and create a memorable dining experience. If you’re interested in becoming a fine dining server, learning about the necessary skills can help you prepare for this type of job.

Multi-tasking

As a server, you may be responsible for many tables at once. You need to be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize them accordingly. For example, if one table is ready to order their food while another table has just placed an order, it’s important that you take care of the new order first so your guests can enjoy their meal in a timely manner.

Wine Knowledge

Wine knowledge is an important skill for fine dining servers to have, as it allows them to recommend wine pairings for their patrons’ dishes. This can help the server sell more wine and increase their tips, as patrons may be impressed by the server’s extensive knowledge of wines. It also shows that the server has a high level of professionalism, which can make customers feel valued and appreciated.

Customer Service

Customer service skills are important for fine dining servers because they allow you to provide a positive experience for your patrons. You can use customer service skills when greeting customers, taking their orders and serving them food and drinks. For example, if a customer asks about the ingredients in a dish or how it’s prepared, you can answer their questions with patience and kindness.

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is a necessary skill for fine dining servers, as it allows them to provide guests with the correct food and drink. Servers should be able to identify each dish by its description or name so they can deliver the right meal to the right table. They also need to pay close attention to customers’ orders to ensure they receive what they asked for.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills are the abilities you use to interact with others. Fine dining servers often work in teams and rely on their coworkers to provide excellent service to customers. Your interpersonal skills help you communicate effectively with your colleagues, managers and patrons. They also allow you to build positive relationships with your customers so they return to the restaurant again.

Catering

Catering is the ability to prepare and serve food at an event. Fine dining servers often work in catering, so it’s important for them to have this skill. Catering requires a lot of organization because you need to make sure all the food is ready when guests arrive and that there are enough supplies available. It also requires multitasking, as you may be preparing several dishes simultaneously.

Menu Knowledge

A server’s knowledge of the menu can help them make informed recommendations to patrons. They should also know how long each dish takes to prepare and be able to answer any questions about ingredients or preparation methods. This ensures that they can provide accurate wait times for food, which is especially important in fine dining where patrons may have special dietary needs or preferences.

Cross-selling

Cross-selling is the ability to offer additional products or services that may be of interest to your customers. For example, if a customer orders an entrée, you can suggest they try one of the restaurant’s side dishes as well. This helps increase your sales and ensures your customers are getting exactly what they want.

Upselling

Upselling is the process of suggesting additional items or services to a customer. For example, if a customer orders an entrée and you notice they don’t have any side dishes, you can suggest adding one to their order. This helps increase your restaurant’s revenue while also providing customers with what they need. You can also use upselling when customers ask for recommendations on new menu items.

Banquets

Banquets are large group meals that can include up to 100 guests. Servers in fine dining often work banquet events, so it’s important for them to have the skills necessary to serve a large number of people at once. For example, when serving food, they need to be able to plate multiple dishes at once and keep track of which dish is meant for whom.

Special Events

Special events are a common part of fine dining service, so it’s important to be familiar with the types of special events that occur in restaurants. Examples include birthdays, anniversaries and other celebratory occasions where guests may request unique menu items or decorations. It can also be helpful to know how to handle large groups who reserve private rooms for celebrations.

Communication

Communication is the ability to convey information clearly. Fine dining service requires excellent communication skills because you must be able to explain menu items, answer questions about ingredients and suggest wine pairings for each dish. You also need to communicate with kitchen staff in a way that ensures your guests receive their food quickly and correctly.

Food & Beverage Pairings

Food and beverage pairings are the combination of food and drink that complement each other. For example, a customer may order an entrée with a red wine, which is a common pairing for this type of dish. Your job as a fine dining server is to recommend appropriate pairings so your customers can enjoy their meal fully.

Table Service

Table service is the ability to provide guests with food and drink. It’s important for fine dining servers to know how to navigate a menu, take orders and deliver food in a timely manner. Servers should also be able to answer any questions about the menu items or ingredients. They may also need to describe wine pairings or suggest desserts based on customer preferences.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and responsibilities. As a fine dining server, you may be responsible for managing several tables at once, which requires organizational skills. You also need to maintain an organized supply closet so that your restaurant can provide patrons with quality service.

Organization includes keeping track of customer information, such as orders and preferences. It’s important to remember details about each table so that you can deliver excellent service.

How Can I Learn These Fine Dining Server Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the necessary skills to be a fine dining server. One way is to take a course or class that specifically covers fine dining etiquette and service. Another way is to get a job as a server in a fine dining restaurant and learn from on-the-job experience. You can also read books or articles on fine dining service, or even watch videos on the subject. Whichever method you choose, it is important to be patient and to practice the skills as often as possible in order to become a proficient fine dining server.