Doug’s Outstanding Servers
Study after study in countless countries around the world have shown that the number one attribute that restaurant patrons look for, or want to see, is great service. Great service even out ranks the quality of the food! And the primary individuals within any food service establishment who are charted to provide that great service are the Servers, or waiters. But do they ever get recognized within the public domain? Very rarely, even though the restaurant that they work at may get all sorts of alkaloids, but rarely do the individual servers get that public recognition that they deserve. So, to recognize excellence within this very import group of individuals who actually can make a difference for all of us who eat out, the Fryett Consulting Group is starting its “Outstanding Server” column. It is dedicated to show casing what Doug perceives as an excellent server, no matter what type of restaurant they work in or where in the world it is located. Hopefully those who review this section of the web site will one day have the opportunity to have the individuals recognized here serve you as well!
Featured Outstanding Server
Ralph Catizone, Tanta
On a recent trip to Chicago to attend the National Restaurant Association annual trade show we accidentally ran across a wonderful Peruvian restaurant called "Tanta" (www.tantachicago.com). Needless to say, we were very impressed with the food (so much so that we visited Tanta" three different times over a four day period). In addition to the excellent cuisine, we were most impressed with our waiter, Ralph Catizone.
Ralph has made our Outstanding Server for many good reasons. First and foremost, I have never met a server who was so proud of where he worked and the food it produced! It was a real treat to see the excitement in his eyes as he explained the various dishes that were on the Tanta menu. He made every dish very inviting, making it very difficult to choose which ones to order! Ralph also knew each dish intimately - the various primary ingredients, the different spices used, how the dish was prepared, etc. - it was a real epicurean educational experience and one that I look forward to repeating again in the new future. He also knew his drinks very well -- an added bonus!
Ralph was very attentive to our needs and would frequently reappear at our table to see if we were enjoying our selections - based primarily upon his expert suggestions - and if they had met with our expectations. (I certainly don't know what he would have done had they not!)
We will be back in Chicago in August and we will definitely be dining at Tanta. We will also be requesting that Ralph Catizone be our server. So, two recommendations here - when in Chicago eat at Tanta and request Ralph to be your server. I can assure you, you will not regret it. And in fact, it will make your Peruvian dining experience even more enjoyable.
More Outstanding Servers
Click on a name to read more.
| Server | Restaurant | |
| Ralph Catizone | Tanta | |
| "Gaby" Santamaria | Hugo's | |
| Leon Klop | Aromi | |
| Dejan Miskic | AWASI Resort | |
| Arun Singh | The One | |
| Linus Morgan | First Hotel Reisen | |
| Scott Berkman | Ellerbe Fine Foods | |
| Horia Muriel Hebert | Frank’s Pizza Poletana & William B. Steakhouse | |
| Hrvoje Svelee | Restaurant Leut |
