The Expert Waitress: A Manual for the Pantry, Kitchen, and Dining-Room

"The Expert Waitress: A Manual for the Pantry, Kitchen, and Dining-Room" by Anne Frances Springsteed is a comprehensive manual from the late 1800s that teaches the skills needed to be an outstanding server or domestic worker. This book shares how to master all of the duties of waitstaff, including how to keep a kitchen and dining room in perfect condition. The guide shows the value of careful preparation and thoughtful service, creating a positive eating experience for guests. The manual introduces the idea of an "expert waitress," outlining necessary jobs and items needed to serve breakfast, beginning with how to set a table and the basics of each breakfast course. The book highlights proper etiquette during service, stressing the need for attention to details and anticipating guests' needs quickly and courteously, setting a professional tone throughout.