Dear Reader,

From My Side of The Table, there are two types of customers, the overly-friendly, warm and sweet and the loud-mouthed, obnoxious complainer who is never satisfied with their meal.   I don't like to think of myself as just a server but as a 25 year old woman and student, who has completed 7 years of field study work as a restaurant behavioral sociologist.   Who from time to time loves to eavesdrop on customer and co-worker's conversations.  

A server for 7 years, I have written a collection of stories based on the customers who have inspired, aggravated and annoyed me and my co-workers who I have shared joyful moments with, gossiped, hated and fought with.   What goes on behind the kitchen doors? Friendships are formed, most are broken, hearts are stirred and most are shaken.   Tears are shed from laughter and hate, voices are raised, plates are dropped, and the floor is flooded and hot water? "There is none!"   The kitchen is where it all begins, where we run around looking for our manager who is smoking rather than taking care of a furious customer, or the cook forgetting an order.   But once we walk out of that kitchen, our customers would never know that we forgot to punch in their steak, or that we were furiously fighting with our co-workers; our tables only see smiles; I like to think that we are all on stage putting on our best performance.  

From working at many popular hot-spots, I can honestly say that I have met and dealt with some of the most unique and real life individuals. Elegant women carrying fake Prada purses, over-sized individuals asking for extra mayo with their diet coke, authors, politicians and hockey players from the Toronto Maple leafs.   Each of these people, have inspired me to write this book; my experiences as a server.  

With this in mind, this is a compilation of unique stories that will surely touch your heart, soul and awaken the mind allowing individuals to relate to circumstances that regularly occur at the restaurant.  

Contact me at tammybenlolo@yahoo.ca