Dear Vi,

What are the differences between a waiter, head waiter, captain, maitre d' hotel etc. etc. etc.?

William Shepard, VA

Dear William,

The allocation of staff and the duties assigned to each position depend on the size and exclusivity of the restaurant. Classical definitions place the maitre d' hotel as the person in charge of the dining room in a hotel or restaurant. S'he is assisted by a team of senior, junior and assistant waiters. In smaller restaurants, the person in charge may be called a restaurant manager or head waiter with assistants called waiters. In many restaurants waiting staff is still organized in the French restaurant system as a restaurant brigade. The organization and classification of staff may be reduced depending on the restaurant style.