Grooming and Hygiene for Restaurant Staff

A group of friends walks into your restaurant on a balmy Sunday afternoon for brunch and is greeted by a server with food stains all over her uniform. The guest starts imagining the whole restaurant as unkempt, and without a second thought, they walk out the door. Not what you want as a restaurant owner. Your staff are the flag bearers of your image, so keeping them well-groomed and clean is non-negotiable.

Grooming: why it is essential, and for whom

In the hospitality business, training your staff on personal hygiene and grooming basics should be a top priority. Everyone working on the premises, whether the manager, front office staff, back-office staff, kitchen staff, or top management, should be well-dressed and well-groomed. This is imperative to create a good image and earn loyal customers.

Meaning of grooming

Grooming is about style, appearance, posture, and discipline. Paying attention to these aspects enhances an individual's personality and the value of the business. Projecting a professional image at work matters for both personal career growth and business growth.

Important elements of grooming

• Dress and uniform
• Hair
• Make-up
• Nails
• Breath
• Body fragrance
• Expression
• Body language

Grooming helps a person feel more confident, and well-groomed staff create a lasting first impression on guests. All staff, especially frontline staff, should follow these basic grooming guidelines.

• Shower or bathe daily without fail.
• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Wash your hair frequently.
• Take extra care of hand hygiene, and wash your hands every time before and after touching food, using the washroom, smoking, and handling cleaning agents, garbage, or raw meat.
• Wear a clean, spotless, well-fitting uniform.
• Wear shoes that are simple, comfortable, and well-polished.
• Keep make-up light and minimal, nothing too bright or distracting.
• Men should shave or keep a well-trimmed mustache and beard.
• Wear a mild perfume or after-shave.
• Avoid touching your face, ears, and nose.

Those are general guidelines. Since restaurant teams include both men and women, here is a more detailed list of grooming essentials for each.

Grooming guidelines for men

Hair

• Hair should be short, well-trimmed, combed back, and should not cover the forehead.
• No long hair below the nape of the neck.
• No loud colors, funky styles, or excessive gel. Keep it natural.
• No sideburns below the middle of the ear.

Beard and mustache

• A clean shave at work is recommended.
• If you keep a mustache, it should be well-trimmed and should not cover the upper lip.
• A beard should be well-trimmed and is allowed only for religious purposes.

Nail hygiene

• Finger and toenails should be well-trimmed and clean.
• No nail color.

Jewelry

• No chains, bracelets, or other accessories.
• Only a wedding band is allowed.
• A simple watch with a metal or leather strap can be worn.
• No earrings.

Breath and body odor

• Brush teeth twice daily and rinse with mouthwash.
• Your breath should never smell of food, cigarette smoke, or alcohol. Good oral hygiene is a must.
• Use deodorant and antiperspirant daily to keep body odor at bay.
• Wear a mild, natural fragrance, nothing too strong.

Footwear

• Wear the shoes issued by the restaurant with your uniform.
• If you wear your own shoes, keep them simple. Preferably black, laced, clean, and polished.
• Wear a fresh pair of socks every day to avoid odor.
• Kitchen and cleaning staff should always wear the safety shoes issued when on duty.

Grooming guidelines for women

Hair

• No fancy hairstyles or funky colors.
• Hair should be trimmed, combed back, and should not cover the forehead.
• Medium-length hair should be tied in a neat ponytail, secured at the front with pins.
• Long hair should be tied in a neat bun and covered with a net.
• Curly hair should be treated so it appears neat and smooth.
• No excessive use of hair gel.

Face

• Light, minimal make-up such as a face cream, foundation, liner, and lipstick should be worn at all times.
• A natural-looking blush matching the skin tone is recommended.
• Lipstick and eye-shadow should be in natural or neutral shades.
• Bright and heavy make-up is not allowed.

Nail hygiene

• Long nails should be properly filed and shaped.
• Short nails should be trimmed, buffed, and cleaned.
• Only neutral and light shades of nail polish are allowed.
• No nail art or extensions at work.

Jewelry

• Wear minimal jewelry.
• One ring on each hand, a simple bracelet or bangle, and simple ear studs are fine.
• Hoops, nose rings, and chunky jewelry are not allowed.
• No flashy watches. A simple watch with a metal or leather strap is permitted.

Breath and body odor

• Brush teeth twice daily and rinse with mouthwash.
• Your breath should never smell of food, cigarette smoke, or alcohol. Good oral hygiene is a must.
• Use deodorant and antiperspirant daily to keep body odor at bay.
• Wear a mild, natural fragrance, nothing too strong.

Footwear

• Nude or black stockings with a skirt.
• Black socks with trousers.
• Black shoes with small or medium heels are permitted.
• No high heels or pencil heels.
• Kitchen and cleaning staff should always wear the safety shoes issued when on duty.

Common guidelines for men and women

Teeth braces

Clear and silver teeth braces are allowed.

Eyeglasses and contact lenses

• Plain black, brown, or silver frames with clear lenses can be worn, with no funky frames or jazzy colors.
• Clear contact lenses are permitted.

Piercings and tattoos

• Piercing or tattooing visible body parts such as arms, legs, face, and neck is not allowed.
• Any piercing on a visible body part is not allowed.

Dining out today is about more than good food. Following these grooming basics boosts the confidence of your staff, helps create memorable guest experiences, and earns positive reviews for your restaurant.