Choice eats
Best Waiter/Waitress
Breaking bad news: When Amanda has to inform a customer that they’re out of something on the menu, “I apologize, of course, and suggest something similar to it on the menu.” Delivering the news immediately is key to keeping customers cool, too.
Corralling crazy kids: Amanda has 14 nieces and nephews, so she knows kids sometimes act up at restaurants (to the chagrin of their parents and other customers). “We bring out crayons and coloring books. And we make sure their food comes out first, even if the adults’ food isn’t ready.”
Appeasing complainers: When customers question their bill, Amanda will go through each item with them and patiently answer any questions. “Sometimes people will say they didn’t have as many beers as the amount that shows on the bill, but I explain that I have to ring each drink on the computer in order for it to be received at the bar,” Amanda says. “I just stay friendly and calm and polite instead of getting snotty back to them.”
Juggling demands: On busy nights when she’s hustling to keep up, there are inevitably the chatty customers who would hog her time if she’d let them. “You just have to close the conversation and pull yourself away,” Amanda says. “It’s fun when you do have the time to sit and chat, though. A lot of great people come in here.”
• RUNNER UP: Savannah VanDenBerg at Rookies