Dominic. I never said anything about spitting in anyone's food. I think that fear is unfounded. In twenty years in the business I have never once seen anyone do anything like that. The 'tomato bouncing off the floor' comment was more a metaphor for making sure the best tippers get the best product.
Maybe the commission argument does re-inforce your position or maybe it doesn't. Base commissions are factored into full retail pricing so the cost is directly paid by the consumer. The employer acts only as the middle man. If the commission structure was too low then the salesman wouldn't try as hard to move the product. The customer will only pay so much for the full cost or near full cost item so in essence the customer is partly dictating compensation?
Maybe a commission based or profit sharing based restuarant system would work. Restaurants with the best servers would get the most business and therefore command a higher price per item bourne by the consumer. Those unwilling or unmoved enough to pay the higher resultant prices would end up at places lower in cost and less pleasant and efficient in service.
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