Commanders of the Dining Room: Biographic Sketches and Portraits of Successful Head Waiters

Originally published in 1904, Commanders of the Dining Room features brief biographies of more than fifty African American head waiters and front—of—house restaurant staff, giving insight into the traditions and personalities that shaped these culinary institutions. Maccannon, himself an African American and a former head waiter, also offers a brief portrait of the Head and Second Waiters’ National Benefit Association (a union for the industry and for African American hotel workers). Though...