I’m trying to get a start as a part-time waiter, but I have no experience.
For starters I’m trying to find a proper method to carry plates so I can practice.
Being the geek I am, I tried to look it up on the net but could find barely anything.
This guy has a few pictures, but It’s not very clear.
Does anyone has a proper method to carry multiple hot/cold trays?
I used to be able to carry 5 or six plates (once 7 even) without a tray, but it seems like servers nowadays carry one big tray.
Here’s how to carry two to three plates on your left:
Your hand should be palm-side up. Pick up the first plate and tuck it under your thumb. Rotate it a little bit to the outside. Pick up the next plate and brace it beneath the first plate, with your fingers outstreched beneath it to hold its outer edges. One or two more plates can be placed along your arm, with each leading edge balanced on the trailing edge of its predecessor.
Then carry two or three plates in similar fashion with your right hand.
Sturdy plates are a must because you are holding them tightly against each other - bracing them to make a semi-rigid framework.
Look at pictures 3 and 4 of your link’s “how to carry one or two”. See how he has them braced on each other? That’s what I’m talking about.
Thanks for the reply NinetyWt.
I just have a few questions…
Is it acceptable to carry two plates on the left, and one on the right?Or is it more ‘professional’ to carry three plates on the left then place them with the right hand?
What is the proper method to carry a tray of meals? Exactly like carrying a singular plate?
3 at once, no more, to be polite (shovelling piles of food off the plates suggests they’re pigs…?..)
Long tables, just do 3 at a time until you’re done…also works for full plated meals, and won’t burn your hands…
round tables are normally 8 or 10 covers, so the final plate(s) can be coupled with picking up spare items (cruet etc). If it’s 12 per table, there should be two of you serving it (if there isn’t, get a new job)
The only golden rule is: The People At The Table Must Forget You Are There (except when the tip is involved 
)
I dunno about the etiquitte for how many to carry; it’s been 20+ years since I’ve waited tables (thank goodness). Those were the days … I remember waiting on a party of 500 with just a couple other girls. Sounds like GorillaMan has more recent experience and knows better than I.
The one thing I remeber about trays is: carry them on the tips of your fingers (when using one hand). You’ll have more control over the tray if you happen to meet a charging bus boy coming in/out of the kitchen.
Also: IIRC you serve from the person’s right and take up dirty plates from the left; serve ladies and/or the most senior person first.