Dear Vi,

What sort of certifications are available for waiters? Chefs receive certification through various organizations, are there really the same things available for us? If so, through what groups?

Also, are we the Waiters Association or The Waiter's Association. The former indicating a group of waiters and the latter showing that the association belongs to us in a possessive sense? Keep up the good work.

Michael McPhie, Washington

Dear Michael,

There are no national standards to certify service personnel, as in Britain, France, Switzerland, and Germany. Some state restaurant associations hold service classes, such as in Wisconsin. Courses in service are part of most restaurant school curriculums, some being more developed than others. Serv-Tech, a California company, has developed busperson-, host-, and waiter-training programs with a certificate of completion.

And, we are the Waiters Association, both a group of waiters and waitresses and an association of, for, and belonging to you.