Cotes Du Coeur Preview Party

Dallas Trinity Event Staffing AHA

Trinity Event Staffing was proud to provide reception waitstaff for the American Heart Association 2010 Cotes Du Coeur Preview Party at the Park Place Porsche Dealership this past Thursday, March 25.  Reception attendees were treated by the sponsors, volunteers, chefs, and wait staff  to excellent wines, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Central Market catering and Macallan tastings provided by Remy Cointreau USA.

Restaurant Caterer Kent Rathbun

Kent Rathbun, owner of Abacus, Jaspers, Blue Plate and Zeas (right) attended the preview party as one of the celebrity chefs who donate their time and efforts to the AMA’s Cotes event.  Entertainment included a delicious curry sauce preparation demonstration by the Central Market chef.  Additionally, Executive Leadership member, Neil Grossman (below middle) spoke on behalf of Park Place Motors, the official vehicle sponsor  for the celebrated event.

Cotes Du Coeur Sponsors

Jay Liddell of Remy Cointreau USA entertained the crowd with his easy witticisms, and Rick Turner, Pappas Bros. general manager (far left) introduced several of the most cherished auction lots to be auctioned at the main event on April 10.  The preview event was an enormous success, and is a great kick off to a bright 2010!

Our Story

Trinity Staffing is a Dallas staff provider for party bartenders, wait staff and other event staff for wedding receptions, parties, banquets & events.

Effective Event Staff Leadership

Dallas Event & Party Staff

    Leadership in the special events industry is a pervasive role.  At all levels for private parties, wedding receptions, banquets, and other special events, there are layers of leaders working together.  From corporate event coordinators to event planners to event staffing companies, all must utilize initiative and leadership.  Even the lone private party bartender, personal chef or the reception and seated dinner service waiter must exhibit self-leadership and self-motivation.  That is why event staffing companies especially require effective leaders on every level.

          But beyond the requisite charisma, leadership of event staff at special events poses unique challenges because events are always variable and dynamic, and ever-evolving solutions are required .  Therefore, one challenge of an event lead, waiter captain or executive chef is being able to use all of the perspectives the group to formulate the best leader decision.  In doing so, a leader can ‘lead from among the staff instead of reigning from above them’. 

    General Patton demonstrated this to his generals by having them each place a piece of string on the table and lead it around with their finger.  Then he told them to instead push the string with their finger, which of course doesn’t work very well at all.  Through this example he demonstrated the merits of “leading others from the front” versus pushing them from behind.  This concept is also found in the Boy Scout saying, “Lead by example”.

Dallas Party and Event Wait Staff

     Therefore, a good event staffing leader must be an example and a teacher to others while being wise enough to listen more than they speak.  As well, an effective event staff lead or wait staff captain delegates authority in order to create ‘a company of leaders’ , empower others beyond themselves, and create a positive team morale.  In simple format, the effective event staffing leader embraces and embodies The Golden Rule.

  That is why all effective leaders must possess both a strong intuition and a spiritual compass that governs their decisions.  It is these qualities that embues a leader with direction, and allows them to be a follower to the GREATER PURPOSE to which they have been called.

Etiquette for Wait Staff

waitstaff

For Dallas waitstaff, using proper body movements as well as proper forms of contact at wedding receptions, cocktail parties, dinner parties and banquets is essential to being professional.  That ambiance created by properly-trained wait staff is extremely important when working for Dallas Highland Park residents.  A lifetime of exposure to high standards of care imbues the cultured elite with high expectations of party and event wait staff that must be met.

The following are just a few wait staff tips that are useful to keep in mind for reception staff in private homes, banquet staff in facilities or wedding staff at a bride’s wedding reception.  These will help your event staff to navigate the tangled web of personalities at events.

When moving through a crowd, wait staff must remember to move gracefully and slowly.  If wait staff must touch someone to get past them, have them touch the person on the elbow, as it is the least offending way to get someone’s attention.  When at a serving at a banquet or reception, if banquet staff or reception staff make large motions or point towards a bathroom or table, it is highly distracting to other guests.  The waiter should make the motion with their whole hand down low and subtly so as to not draw attention from guests or other reception staff.

When wait staff are talking amongst themselves, they should remember that the ‘recorder‘ is always on and someone is always watching.  So be sure your banquet staff and cocktail servers are putting a positive spin on everything they say.  If someone on your waiter staff happens to be funny, witty or charming, be sure that they also understand the importance of brevity, so that they can entertain and work at the same time.

Lastly, wait staff must rush without seeming rushed and be able to stop on a dime.  To do so, shift your forward movement upward, which will allow you to arrest your forward movement and avoid a collision. Keep checking back for more tips to help your event and banquet staff to have better etiquette!