Food and beverage employers can bring out better service in their staff by empowering employees through training, introducing structured work processes, and harnessing industry-wide resources, said Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan on Wednesday.

Speaking at the industry's Excellent Service Award ceremony at One Marina Boulevard, he said: "Employers' roles can be likened to cutting and polishing raw gems. Each one can excel if you create for them the conditions to do so,"

He also stressed the importance of solving a problem when something goes amiss with the customers, as well as that of employing technology.

Citing the prevalent use of wireless tablets at many restaurants for taking orders, he added: "These reduce human errors, save manpower and more importantly, empower customers and make them feel that they are in control of the situation. Service staff are also freed up to focus on customer interactions," said Mr Lee.

More than 1,600 service staff were recognised for providing exceptional service.