The restaurant business is extremely demanding. It's exhausting, what with all the tables and your In-House Point-of-Sale Systems for Restaurants Standing in the kitchen or back room for extended periods of time can cause your feet to feel everything. Employees in the front and back of the house, including hosts and hostesses, servers, bartenders, cooks, and chefs, should wear shoes that are appropriate for their positions. If not, issues like falls, tiredness, back pain, and knee pain may arise.
This article discusses:
Create a restaurant employee handbook to standardize your restaurant's policies, guidelines, and processes.
A podiatrist offers tips on finding the right footwear for the dining room.
We had Dr. Podiatrist Miguel Cunha of New York City and creator of Gotham's Premiere Foot Clinic for advice on finding the right footwear for a career in the food service industry Important factors like comfort, support, and traction are discussed, and he shows us how to maximize all three.
According to Cunha, "a food server is constantly on their feet and can easily take over 10,000 steps a day of work." Furthermore, most back-of-the-house employees spend the majority of their shift standing. When choosing footwear, make sure it fits properly, is cushioned and supportive, can absorb shock, and won't slip off your feet. ”
Locate a pair of slip-resistant, comfortable footwear
As the day winds down, your feet will swell, so Cunha suggests shoe shopping then. He explains, "If they feel comfortable at the end of the day, most likely they will feel comfortable throughout the day." The toe box should be roomy enough that your toes can move around slightly.
The insole should be supportive of the arch and comfortable; memory foam or an EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) anti-compression insole are good options. He continues, "A shoe with a rubber outsole will do a much better job of absorbing the shock of each step than a shoe with a hard sole."
Shoes with arch support are a must when dining out.
Foot pain is a common complaint among servers. Cunha says this is typically due to foot fatigue from lack of supportive footwear. During the gait cycle, "our feet naturally pronate," which means that we walk with our weight primarily on the insides of our feet.
"We pronate for longer periods of time in unsupportive shoes, which changes the biomechanics and distribution of pressure and weight across the foot," he explains. This misalignment "increases the progression of underlying foot deformities like bunions and hammertoes, resulting in sore feet and painful conditions like arch/heel pain, shin splints/posterior tibial tendonitis, and Achilles tendonitis." This can lead to aching knees and back if not treated.
Long-standing workers benefit from shoes that have good arch support because that helps distribute their weight evenly across the plantar (bottom) of their feet. Cunha's tried-and-true method for determining the stability of a pair of shoes is to attempt to fold them in half. They get put back on the shelf if they warp.
Buy some non-slip or non-slippery shoes.
He warns that servers "may slip, trip, and fall over floors that have been soiled with water, stews, soups, and other liquids" and "may fall over when carrying plates and trays because they can't see where they are walking." Ankle and leg sprains, fractures, and other serious injuries are all possible results of a slip. Consider investing in a pair of work boots with a rubber outsole for added traction and anti-slip protection.
Think about whether or not you'll need a shoe that can withstand water or has a sturdy upper. Shoes with black leather or polyurethane uppers are not only waterproof but also can be cleaned quickly and easily in the event of a spill or dropped object.
Restaurant shoes: a guide to the 12 best pairs and where to buy them
Be aware: we are not getting paid to promote any of these items Experts in the restaurant industry were surveyed and asked for their honest opinions, which informed the recommendations.
#1. Dansko XP Clogs
Among those who must be on their feet all day, Dr. Scholl's is undoubtedly one of the most popular names in footwear. Among the many great options from Dansko, Cunha suggests their XP Clogs. They won't slide around, they'll keep you comfortable and safe, and they offer excellent arch support.
Get them at Dansko.com.
No. 2: Apex by Dickies
The MICHELIN®WCX channeled shoe tread found in Dickies Apex non-slip restaurant shoes provides grip and is self-cleaning, evacuating liquid and debris as you walk.
You can get them at dickies.com.
Third, a Birkenstock nonslip professional work shoe
These lightweight polyurethane clogs are made from a single mold, so they are both watertight and slip-resistant.
Check out birkenstock.com to make a purchase.
4 Crocs Bistro Clogs
The Croc Bistro Clogs are identical to the original Crocs except for the top holes, so they offer the same benefits in terms of comfort, ease of care, durability, and protection from harmful liquids.
You can purchase them at crocs.com.
Shoes, New Balance 510v3
Another Dr Cunha's top pick, these shoes are ideal for the restaurant industry due to their non-slip soles, airy uppers, and lightweight construction. However, they aren't spill-proof.
Get it at Amazon.com.
6. Sanita
The restaurant industry is seeing an uptick in the use of Sanita's, which are clogs similar to the popular Dansko brand. Many customers report feeling relief from their back, foot, and knee pain after wearing these clogs, according to reviews on Amazon and the company's website.
The place to shop is sanita.com.
7. Clove
Clove is a new sneaker brand made specifically for medical professionals that also makes great shoes for the kitchen. The Clove website boasts that these shoes have "odor-fighting, machine washable insoles from Ortholite®" and "ClarinoTM fabric that is water- and stain-resistant."
Go to goclove.com to purchase.
8. "Made for Makers" by Vans.
Vans, the company known for their iconic low-top and high-top skateboard sneakers, has designed a shoe specifically for the restaurant industry.
The place to get them is at vans.com.
9. Snibbs
Snibbs is another new company promising to be "the last work shoe you'll ever need." Snibbs were created by an orthopedic surgeon and have premium Ortholite® insoles and soles that are oil and water resistant, lightweight, and supportive. As an added bonus, you can try them out for 30 days and get your money back if they don't meet your needs.
Get yours at Knibbs.co.
10. Dr The Contributions of Scholtz
In order to accommodate those who are on their feet for long periods of time, the well-known manufacturer has created a line of clogs, sneakers, and slip-on shoes. The Dr The slip- and oil-resistant outsoles, memory foam insoles, and breathable uppers of Scholl's Work line ensure all-day comfort.
Obtainable at drscholls.com.
Numeral Eleven: Emeril's Footwear
Yep, that Emeril These shoes are equipped with their patented B insoles, making them slip-, spill-, odor-, and stain-proof, as is expected of any decent pair of kitchen shoes. A M Technology (Why would you assume anything else?) )
You can get them at emerilsfootwear.com.
Continue in Company
Keep Company's line of shoes are not only comfortable, but also non-slip, water-resistant, supportive, fashionable, vegan, and ethically produced; they have been designed and tested by chefs.
Place of Sale: keepcompany.com
Having the right footwear in a restaurant can lessen the likelihood of exhaustion, injury, or illness that could cause downtime. For things to run smoothly, check that everyone from the host to the cooks is wearing shoes that can withstand the heat of the kitchen.
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