SC - wait people

[James F. Johnson]

Regarding whether or not a modern waitperson can answer a question about
the preparation or ingredients:

Yes, depends on both the individual server and the way the
restaurant/company runs. Some business encourage/require such knowledge
from their servers, others don't care. Individual servers can exceed
those requirements for reasons of ego or professionalism. Personally, I
hate standing there and going 'er...I dunno' more than I hate taking the
time to walk back to the kitchen and get the cooks attention, who may be
neck deep in orders. Much easier to be able to describe how each and
every dish is made before the question is asked. And to understand
what's going to happen to a dish if the customer requests we hold a
particular ingredient.

I admit, there are business where the server is not expected to do much
more than smile and move the food. But in general, the server had better
not be the last person to know, because they're the one who has to look
out for contraindications to allergies and dietary preferences. 

Likewise, there are restaurant cooks who can follow and cook the company
recipes, but if you just put a pile of food in front of them, they
stall.

Seumas