Food Server Responsibilities Checklist

From the outside looking in, a food server's job is simple: take orders, bring food out and present the check, all in a friendly manner. Though this is true at the most basic level, the server also has extensive responsibilities behind the scenes, many times all at once.

Running Food

• Many casual and upscale restaurants require servers to run food every time they pass through the kitchen or expo window, regardless of whether the food is for their table. This is because the server who rang in the food may be getting drinks, using the restroom or tending to another table. Anytime there's food in the window, most expeditors require the nearest server to grab an order to run out.

Anticipation

• Ideally, diners won't have to ask the server for every need. Instead, the server should anticipate their needs. For example, if a table is running low on beverages, he should offer to fill them before they have to ask. If the meal is taking an unusually long time to arrive, the server should approach the table and update the diners on the status of their order before they ask to speak to a manager.

Customer Service

• Virtually all aspects of customer service are a server's job. Greeting people, treating them with kindness and handling any issues with grace and professionalism are all part of a typical shift. The specifics depend on the type of restaurant. For instance, in a fine dining establishment, the server may be required to learn wine service and how to present wine. Or, if he sees a crying toddler, he should offer a toy or a small treat, even if it's not his table.

Side Work

• Servers have a list of tasks to be performed before, during and after the rush. Each must be completed and vouched for by a manager before the server can leave. In most restaurants, this includes filling the salt and pepper shakers, stocking liquid condiments, sweeping and vacuuming, rolling silverware, taking out trash and filling ice bins.