Brush your teeth rather than chewing gum, which is considered unprofessional and can be unappealing to the customer. [2] X Research source Trim your nails and clean underneath them with a pick.
This also applies to smokers. Avoid smoking in your work clothes, so the smell doesn’t follow you into the restaurant.
If the injury is bad, ask to be sent home or to the doctor to fix it. Invest in clear bandages to avoid unsightly, obvious ones. Use a triple-antibiotic to help cuts heal more quickly and stay clean.
If your hair is long enough to be gathered into a ponytail, it should be secured and kept out of the way of the food when you are serving it or carrying it on a tray. People working in the kitchen should wear hair nets or hats to keep hair from falling into the food as it is prepared.
Always wash your hands before returning to work after using the restroom. Not washing your hands before returning to work is a health code violation.
Ask the management what their expectations are regarding your uniform. They will likely have a dress code in writing, which they can share with you. If the restaurant has branded uniform pieces, like hats or aprons, you may be required to purchase them for a small fee, which could be paid up front or taken out of your check. This amount is usually returned to you when you return the items. Visit the restaurant or similar restaurants to see what other servers are wearing. Black dress pants and a denim shirt would be an example of a more casual, but still professional look. A formal uniform might include dress pants, button-up shirt and a vest, or a skirt or shift dress for women.
Choose a nice shirt with sleeves (no tank tops). Avoid shirts with designs and logos. Working at a restaurant could lead to spills and stains. If a shirt is dirty, stained or smells bad, be sure to wear another shirt until you can wash the dirty one. Throw a shirt away if it is worn out. Once a shirt is torn or frayed, you will need to replace it.
If you are wearing dress pants, be sure that they are clean and ironed.
If your restaurant encourages patterns in your clothing, choose patterns which match the look of the restaurant and aren’t too busy or outlandish. An example would be checkered shirts for a country-style restaurant.
Choose shoes with a rubber sole for good grip in case there are spills or the kitchen floor is wet. Go for close-toed flats, nice single-color tennis shoes or shoes with a low heel, depending on the level of formality at your restaurant. Choose a leather shoe which you can polish to keep it looking clean and new.
Even though facial piercings may not drape into food, they could be disturbing to some customers. It is best to remove facial piercings before working at a restaurant.
In general, try to choose clothes that are a little bit looser on the top and tighter on the bottom, or vice versa. [7] X Expert Source Jordan StolchImage Consultant & Style Advisor Expert Interview. 27 May 2021.
Resist the urge to wipe your hands on your apron. Wash your hands or carry a towel to wipe them on if you need to. If your apron gets dirty between washed, dab the stains with a damp towel. Try using soda water to scrub stains out.
