A waiter or waitress's job is to ensure that customers have a pleasant dining experience by greeting them, taking orders, and providing excellent customer service:
- Greeting customers: Politely greet customers and introduce them to the menu
- Taking orders: Take orders for food and drinks, and relay them to the kitchen
- Delivering food and drinks: Deliver food and drinks from the kitchen to the tables, and ensure the food is correct and presentable
- Providing customer service: Answer menu questions, explain daily specials, and suggest menu items
- Handling payments: Provide guests with their bills and ensure they receive the correct change or credit card receipt
- Shift duties: Perform opening and closing duties, such as cleaning coffee pots, restocking items, or cleaning the food runner station
- Maintaining cleanliness: Keep their station clean and organized, and maintain a high level of cleanliness in the bar and lounge areas
- Multitasking: Multitask food and beverage orders and deliveries, and handle large orders during peak hours
- Attending meetings: Attend regular meetings with restaurant and kitchen managers to learn about menu changes and specials
Waiters and waitresses are often the most frequent point of contact for customers, so they play a key role in the success of the business. They should have excellent customer service skills, be able to multitask, and maintain a professional and welcoming attitude.
