Talking to the Kitchen

[masonjar]

Not sure where I should be posting this.

I accepted a job as server not where I like to be but I'm good at it and I can make a lot better there right now. My problem is with the kitchen. We are primarily a steak house and often do large parties from 30- 100 people serving prime rib. Well when the prime ribs are put up the kitchen does not mark them in any way to let us know how they are done. The servers are constantly having to ask the chefs how each plate is done which interupts them and slows down us delivering the food. I have suggested to the sous chef that we get coloured tooth picks to stick in the steaks so that us servers know at a glance what we are bringing out. He agreed it would be a great idea but it hasn't been done. Do you think they would be insulted if I bought the tooth picks myself and brought them in?

SEcondly we serve a roast turkey dinner with stuffing. I had it last week. The stuffing was awful, unbelievebly over salted. Ahould I mention it to them or keep it to myself?

Thanks guys I really don't want to insult anyone.

[mark1]

I think the answers you're gonna get from the pros is that it depends entirely on the type of place you're working for, if they're receptive to suggestions from servers or anybody or if they'll be offended that their cuisine is being challenged.
I'd say probably toothpicks, yes, stuffing, iffy!

[masonjar]

It's a family run business, owned by a greek couple. Very informal atmosphere, but they can be tempermental.

[mark1]

It's a family run business, owned by a greek couple. Very informal atmosphere, but they can be tempermental.

In that case, like I said, telling them about the stuffing could be a no-no if you want to keep the gig.

[lebelage]

Toothpicks yes, stuffing no.

Why stuffing no? Because they obviously don't care.

[Spee]

Using toothpicks sounds like a helpful, but non-insulting suggestion. Your suggestion could probably ave them time and money. Owners like that.

Making a comment on the food could be insulting. It could be your palate vs theirs. It could be only your opinion. Maybe other guests like it (I doubt it.) If other guests do not like it, sooner or later the owners will get the picture--like after they spend a fortune on making the stuff, only to have to toss it out.

[FishinChef]

It's a family run business, owned by a greek couple. Very informal atmosphere, but they can be tempermental.

Dealing with family run businesses can be tricky. It's like the movie "Big Fat Greek Wedding"; you can put the idea out there but let them decide to bring it forward as their own. Criticism, even if constructive, can be taken the wrong way and backfire if percieved improperly. Especially with people who have a lot of pride and don't know how to swallow it yet. Family run restaurants regardless of nationality seem to suffer from this syndrome.

[garball]

If you truly care about the quality of the establishment you are associated with then speak your mind. If you don't really care, then keep it to yourself.

[ming0597]

truth be told they don't CARE about what they're doing. Apparently no one tasted the stuffing (that is, if you yourself have reliable taste buds) and they are not taking any interest in serving the right tempted steak to the right customer. Personally I HATE toothpicks....let one of them go out to a table and there goes the class of the restaurant. You said that the servers are asking the cooks what temps are what- this suggests that whoever is expediting is not putting things in order. Sounds like you have experience in a higher calibre place- go find one and leave these clowns alone.

[evaccooker]

wouldn't it be easier just to go by temp? I.e. mid-rares go up first, then mediums, mid-wells...If that's to much of a shock, buy your own toothpicks. And don't tell them directly about the stuffing. Tell them that table twelve thinks it;'s too salty. That way it's not on your ass. But you also have to consider, if these people keep coming with 20 to 100 of their best friends, maybe they like the stuffing extra salty.

[kellynbobellen]

that can be a sticky situation. Right now i am working as a server and this fall i will go to school. I am also working full time at a bakery, so as a cook AND a waitress its nice to see all sides of it. This may seem sort of mean but its only meant to help you NOT get in trouble. In my experience, if you tell them that the food is bad they wont be too happy with you or may seem like they like it and go back and think...whats with that?!?! I would follow what evac was saying about telling them that table 202 said that the stuffing is....and do it more than once and they will see a pattern. But the idea about the toothpicks is a good idea, mostlikely whoever you told has already forgotten about it because they are focused on what they have been doing in the past. Maybe try bringing in an example and showing it to the chef and or your boss....like look heres an idea! that way they will visually remember that you had some amazing idea to help out your guests! they will be impressed that you did that. good luck and make good tips!

[lebelage]

I agree with you about the class issue Ming. But any other suggestion would involve far more critiquing of their operation.

If they consent to the temp picks I would definitely pull them out as they were pulled from the window.

[ChefJen]

Places ive worked use the colour toothpick thing for steaks but DEFINITLY dont let the customers see the toothpick its tacky!

[jonesg]

USe some tact,
say the customers said "this stuffing tastes like it's been dragged across the atlantic."

Anyone can make a mistake, it doesn't mean they don't care.
Even if they don't care, anyone can make a decent stuffing.

[jayvader]

i dont use the tooth pick method but i always put the most rare on the servers right and work my way up in temp to their left

but from what it sounds like it would be easier to get a dry erase marker and Draw sections on the Service window that say R MR Med MW W and make it plainly viable to them


as long as you wash it off every night i wont be a problem

If the stuffing is salty - check the cravy it may have no salt lol

tell them it is salty - or be sneaky and eat some next to the owner and ask if they want some