This is the general approach and some things to keep in mind when serving entrees.

I keep track of which plate is going to which seat by relying on numbers: table numbers and seat numbers. This plate is going to seat 3 at table 12 for example. It's never going to the guy in the blue shirt in the corner table. That leaves way too much room for confusion and human error.

You should never be auctioning food off at a table. Approaching with three plates and saying, “So who got the salmon?”

It doesn't look good, it doesn’t sound good, and maybe more importantly as a server: it takes too much time. People don't even remember what they ordered half the time. It’s far easier and more efficient to know exactly where the plate is going and just drop it in front of them.

When I approach the table and they're not paying attention, I may say, "Alright, I got your food here." Most of the issue will arise when serving each plate. The easiest way to get their attention is by simply announcing the name of the dish: "Salmon"

If they’re not hearing me because they’re too into their phone, I’ll sometimes look at their friend that is paying attention, and ask her, “Hey do you mind getting her attention for me?” Then she gets off her phone, and I can set the plate down in front of her.

Part of why I ordered the plates the way I did is because I want to "hug" the guest with the plate. i.e. OPEN ARM SERVICE. This ensures I keep my elbow and forearms out of people's faces.

I actually should have sold seat 2 first in this video-- that way I never need to reach over seat 1. But grabbing plates 3, 2 then 1 so I can then drop 1, 2, then 3 is far easier to keep track of in a rush than to grab 3, 1, then 2 so I can then drop 2, 1, then 3.

Ideally, however, I have another server help me, and we each grab the 2 plates for guests facing each other. This looks much better.

*Carrying 3 plates out is not a thing in fine-dining. I work higher-volume, and that’s what this training is about. So a 6-top can be served in 2 trips. :)

Once I drop the plates, I pause, let them scan their plates, then once they see that they like what they see, they'll look back up and make some gesture of approval. OR let me know what they need. This happens 9/10 times.

Don't feel weird waiting there. Just chill.

If they do need something, that's a guest request. That will take precedence over everything else I have going on.

Once they're situated... "Alright y'all (guys, ladies, gentlemen, etc...) enjoy." I pivot out and check back a few minutes later.