If you are planning to work as a waitress in a restaurant or cafe, you will need to know how to use a waitress order pad. A waitress order pad is a pad of paper used for taking down customer orders. It is small so that it fits in an apron, and is used to tell the kitchen what to cook, which table ordered what and how much to charge each table after they are done eating.

Approach your assigned table and greet the customers. Inquire as to what their orders are; if they need more time, politely return to the table in a minute or two. Write down each dish that the customers order and any specific instructions they request. When they are done ordering, tear off the piece of paper with the new order on it and give it to the kitchen.

Take the appropriate dishes to the appropriate tables once the kitchen has prepared them. Use the order pad paper to remember which table ordered what. Be sure to check every once in a while to see how the customers are doing and if they would like anything else. If they do order more from the menu, do not forget to write it on the order pad as well.

Use the order pad paper to ring up the right menu items for the customers when they are done eating. This ensures that you do not overcharge or undercharge them for their food. The order pad helps you remember which menu items the customer ordered.