Who or what is Black and Whites? Black and Whites Magazine is us, the waiters, waitresses, and service professionals that are more than 2 Million strong in the United States. We make up the largest, most diverse sales force in this country, working on commission, and responsible for driving $476 Billion in sales. We aren’t just “the waiter” who provides food, wine, beer and liquor to patrons in bars, restaurants and hotels. We are the faces, the voices and the expertise representing billion dollar companies, like Gallo, Sam Adams, and Ketel every day to thousands of consumers.

People dine out for more reasons than I can count. But the consistent thread is that when they arrive in your station, they are hungry, thirsty, and most want more: a conversation, a laugh, a story, an education, comfort, and service. Few people, industry and consumers alike, recognize that I am not just “a waitress.” I am a commissioned salesman with the best sales job ever. The hardest part of selling is establishing a need and the decision to buy. In a restaurant, those steps are already complete when guests walk through the door. My job is easy: educate, lead and provide my guests a package deal. I am the consultant, I am the expert, and I implement the program.

Black and Whites Magazine came about by accident. As a single Mom, I don’t have the flexibility most waiters have in picking up shifts. It is crucial for me to work smarter, not harder. By selling more beer, wine and liquor, I increase my income by increasing my check averages, which results in higher commissions. So I dedicated myself to learning about wine. When I was asked to work on my restaurant’s Wine Education Program (probably because I was willing, cheap, and never met a grape I don’t like), I began stockpiling information, most of which was detailed, boring, and hard to incorporate into my sales pitch. I tried to research more about other spirits and beer, and was amazed at the lack of information available for waiters and waitresses.

Black and Whites Magazine is the culmination of my efforts and is a resource to assist service and sales professionals in the bar and restaurant industry. By improving your knowledge, sales and service abilities, you will increase your income. It doesn’t matter whether you work in a sports bar, a chain like Applebee’s or Olive Garden, or in a 4 Star world renowned restaurant, there is something here that will help you make an extra sale on your next shift. As part of this community, there is a thread all waiters and waitresses will identify with, because people are people. There are plenty of links to other terrific waiter sites and resources as well.

Black and Whites Magazine is here for us. A forum, a resource, a library, a community of ideas to enhance every waiter, waitress, and service professional and their ability to provide a better dining experience. As servers, when we are better prepared, everyone wins. The guests have a better experience; we sell more and make more for the restaurant and for ourselves, not to mention the beer, wine, and spirits industry. When we win…… everyone wins. By uniting as a sales force, the restaurant industry, the beer, wine and spirits industry and society will begin seeing us as vital, sales professionals. Only then will we receive the recognition and respect that serving others deserves.

So, go ahead, dig in…. feel free to let us know how your dish is prepared or what you would like to see on the menu. Our chefs are ready to prepare whatever you require.