Waiter / Waitress

Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Banquet Server; Busser; Cocktail Server; Food Runner; Food Server; Restaurant Server; Room Service Server; Server; Waiter; Waitress

Tasks

• Collect payments from customers.
• Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
• Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.
• Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
• Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
• Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
• Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.
• Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
• Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.
• Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
• Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
• Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.
• Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.
• Inform customers of daily specials.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Sales and Marketing

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Time Sharing
• Trunk Strength
• Stamina
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Near Vision