Can someone help me learn how to balance plates out to customers?

Question

I work as a hostess at a restaurant and by Fall I will start training as a waitress. I am nervous about how to balance plates on my arms. Tonight I was helping a waitress carry some plates out to a party and I got 3 for the first time. 2 on my left and 1 on my right. I got to the table and delivered the first item when the onion rings slid right off the plate on the 2nd plate! I was so embarrassed but luckily they were a fun, happy party and we all just laughed it off. I need more help with my balance seeing as we do not have food trays. I know it takes practice but I'm not quite sure how to practice. I would like to start with 3 and end with 4 plates (possibly 5) Can anyone help?

Answer 1

if you're holding two plates, you place the first one on your index finger and held down with the thumb. the second one on your middle finger being supported by your ring and small fingers.

if you take your index and thumb and make a gun and place the rim (not too much but not too little) of the plate on your index and hold it down with the thumb.

slightly uncurl the middle finger and place the second plate onto that and support the bottom of the plate with the ring and small finger.

if you need a third plate, slightly bend your wrist and the plate can sit on the curve. i.e. the base of your thumb and beginning of your arm.

just practice heaps and you'll get it.

good luck.

Answer 2

hmm, i used to be able to take four out.... three on one arm.... you put one on the base of your hand, another layered over that but further up on your arm, and the third layered over the second but further up your arm.  ask one of the servers at your restaurant to show you how.  just dont carry trys like they are violins.