No matter how good the food is, a server/waitress who is rude and inattentive can drive business away from any establishment. In Guyana, news of a restaurant or bar with poor service can spread just as fast as the Coronavirus. The fiscal consequences can be just as deadly too.
Having been in the food and hospitality industry for just over 10 years, Keisha Ajudia said she understands the profound impact of her role–that it could make or break her place of employment. For this 28-year-old, serving Guyanese and visitors from various territories at the Giftland Mall’s Villagio Restaurant for the past seven years has been a fulfilling and teachable journey.
Ajudia who is remembered by many customers for her warm personality and efficiency with orders was keen on sharing with Guyana Standard that she is always searching for ways and means of sharpening her interpersonal skill sets.
Ajudia said, “I never stop pursuing my educational development because it is the key to success. Because I believe in this, I did catering at the Sophia Training Centre in 2012 and emerged as the second best with the final grade being an A.
“I returned the next year and completed a course in Information Technology and Office Administration. I was the best top student for the entire course. My next field of study was Supervisory Management at the University of Guyana’s Institute Of Distance and Continuing Education. I also majored in Industrial Relations and Management in 2020 passing with credit.”
The young explained that her academic pursuits were critical in her quest to be a better waitress. She said it is a journey she would encourage anyone to embark on as “every little step counts, there is no such thing as being too big to learn.”
In terms of her work experience, Ajudia said meaningful lessons were obtained during her brief employment at the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport as well as several food and beverages outlets over the years.
Speaking to the forces that channeled her in the direction of the food and hospitality industry, Ajudia said it was a matter of luck meeting opportunity. “To be honest, the job found me. I went to 704 Sports bar with a friend for her interview and training, and by accident, I got involved in the training aspect they were doing. They saw my potential and asked for me to be part of their team as a hostess, and it has been nothing but non-stop work on building my image in this industry today.”
Though she initially wanted to be a nurse, Ajudia said she enjoys a racy day that involves meeting new people, holding over 30 tables, and remembering individual orders by heart. “I love being part of this industry and I always maintain that waiters or waitresses must strive to improve customers’ experience rather than go through the motions.”
For Ajudia, there are some key dos and don’ts that waiters/waitresses must follow. She said these commandments are as follows:
1) Connect with your customers; wow them if you can
2) Find ways to solve confrontational situations in a calm manner
3) Check with your table within intervals. Even when you have provided all requested, do so to be sure that new orders are not needed
4) For female servers, don’t lead customers on, you offer food and beverages, not sexual favours. Don’t sell your body for a tip.
5) Stand up to customers who try to touch you inappropriately
Combining the foregoing with a sharp eye for detail, knowing the menus by heart, as well as maintaining enthusiasm throughout shifts, will surely earn any server the utmost respect, says Ajudia.
She intends to build on this “tried and trusted” code of conduct as part of her grand plan to leave an indelible mark on the local food and hospitality industry.
