Mark Vogel is taking over for the popular "Ask Dave" column.  Please join Dinersoft in welcoming Mark, who will also be writing a monthly column for Dinersoft.
Please send your questions to epicure1@optonline.net

Hi Mark,

I am a server in a new fine dining restaurant. I want you to tell me the duties of a busser.  We have one awesome busser and a second busser that my grandson could run circles around.  This creates problems on busy nights.  Our management staff is all new to fine dining and can't see the problem.  When we have to clear, scrape and sort our plates before the next course goes out it takes time and they can not understand why we can't pick up extra tables.  Now they say the job of the busser is to get the water to the table and to reset tables.  We tip out a percentage of our sales, so both bussers get tipped out the same amount, which doesn't seem fair to the great busser we have. We need help, any suggestions??

Thanks Irene

Dear Irene,

The first course of action with any interpersonal problem is to speak to the person directly. I would diplomatically discuss the issue with the busser. If that does not work your only other recourse is to then address it with the manager. Bring it to his or her attention so they can see the problem. Fine dining experience or not, if the busser is not doing his job, they should be able to see that.

As to the busser's job, in all of the restaurants I've worked, they did more than bring water and reset tables. They took away dirty plates during the meal, ran food, and retrieved items like butter or condiments. If you talk to your manager maybe you should ask him first what he expects the bussers to do and then see if the one in question is off the mark.

Mark

Send your questions to Mark R. Vogel

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