What are the restaurant server job description and responsibilities – the restaurant server is a person who communicates directly with the guests about their food and beverage needs, relays their orders to the kitchen and the bar, and professionally serves the prepared items according to the guests’ desires. A good food server acts as a welcoming host to his guests. He is a highly trained and skillful professional who possesses a vast knowledge of the Food and Beverage field.

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The server is a highly organized, multitasking person who knows and follows the F&B service procedures like:

Steps of service

Greeting the guests and explaining the daily specials

Presenting and opening a bottle of wine

Carrying plates and large food trays

Selling, up-selling and cross-selling

Carving meat

Filleting a fish 

and many others.

The restaurant servers are the face of the establishment and the only people in direct contact with the patrons of the restaurant who can influence their decision-making and choice! 

A genuine smile and a friendly attitude are two of the most vital characteristics of a good server. The specifics of the food server job require the person to be physically and mentally strong.

He is someone who can endure long working hours and perform under pressure.

The restaurant server job description and responsibilities include the ability to handle guests’ complaints and dealing with rude guests, entertaining the guests, and maintaining their good mood and satisfaction throughout the whole evening. Therefore, developing extraordinary communication skills is a must for the waiter. A genuine desire to communicate with people daily is highly advisable!

Last but not least, a food server is someone who can work in a team and can follow directions from his supervisor

Dear friends, I am working for over 25 years in the Hospitality Industry. I hear all kinds of nonsense stories of the restaurant server job description and responsibilities daily. 

Our job is hard, demanding, and stressful, and only a fool will describe it as carrying plates from the kitchen to the tables. There is nothing further away from reality than this idiotic description!

So I have decided to give you the most creative job description of waiter example you will find on the net. Those are the food server duties and responsibilities! I would be happy if you learn that. The next time someone asks you about the restaurant server job description and responsibilities – use this article!

We have to be proud of what we do and not let no one put us down!

For those who think this is a way over the board example of food server job description and responsibilities, I have this answer:

A job posting for a Server at Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas:

The Server is responsible for taking the guests through the key phase of their Hard Rock experience. As a Hard Rock Cafe Server, you will be assuming the role of tour guide, communicator, decision-maker, entertainer, memorabilia curator, and musician (at heart).

This restaurant server job description reflects the position’s essential functions; it does not encompass all of the tasks that may be assigned.

• Taking guests’ orders
• Running food
• Handling cash & other forms of payment
• Making proficient sales transactions – using a point-of-sale system 
• Properly checks I.D.s – for guests who appear to be under 30 years old
• Demonstrating responsible alcohol service
• Demonstrating impeccable product knowledge
• Suggestive selling – using proven techniques
• Answering questions – accurately and politely 
• Satisfying any/all needs of the guests – regularly double-checking back with guests throughout their experience 
• Maintaining a clean & organized station – including pre-bussing & table maintenance 
• Performing opening, closing & side duties – setting up/breaking down the station, refilling condiments, cleaning ashtrays, etc. 
• Demonstrating knowledge of all table/station numbers 
• Directing guests to areas & restrooms 
• Creating memorable experiences 
• Entertaining guests to create “Raving Fans”

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, AND CERTIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or GED equivalents 
• Follows all food safety & sanitation procedures
•  In some U.S. states, a food safety certification program is required to be completed before being able to serve food or alcohol, which may include a food handlers card (i.e., California law requires this).

SKILLS

• Remaining calm in a hectic, fast-paced atmosphere. 
• Demonstrating a high level of organization, attention-to-detail, and a sense of urgency.
• Displaying a positive and outwardly friendly attitude toward guests. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to move throughout the corporate office and cafes during visits (standing, walking, kneeling, bending) for extended periods. 
• Ability to sit for extended periods. 
• Ability to make repeating movements of the arms, hands, and wrists.
• Ability to express or exchange ideas verbally and perceive sound by ear. 
• Manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and ability to work with hand above shoulders.
• Ability to occasionally, regularly, frequently move objects (lift, push, pull, balance, carry) up to 10 pounds. 
• Ability to turn or twist body parts in a circular motion. 
• Ability to tolerate exposure to heat, cold, chemicals, and loud/noisy environment. 
• Ability to travel via auto or airplane for long periods. 

 

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 19 years old. In some U.S. states, the legal minimum age is required to serve food & alcohol (i.e., Nevada is 21 years old) – check with the person interviewing you to ensure you meet these requirements. 
• Practicing all general safety standards
• Maintaining a well-groomed appearance (“having a plan”)
• Following all uniform guidelines
• Recycling products, where possible
• Maintaining HRC’s 5 core Values and Mission Statement
• Your Cafe may cross-train the Server and the Busser positions. This “Server Assistant” will become a rotated position for the Servers and only be used during busy volumes. Please see the Busser job description.

So does anyone still think that the restaurant server job description and responsibilities I present to you are an exaggeration? They are not!

Being a waiter requires a lot, and therefore we deserve respect for the hard work we are putting in and the effort we are giving!