A restaurant server, popularly known as a waiter or waitress, performs one of the most critical roles in any restaurant, or food service type setting. And while the duties of a server vary depending on the restaurant concept or environment in which service is being provided, their main priority is making sure that diners enjoy their experience.

A customer’s dining experience includes a warm welcome when they arrive, directions to comfortable seating, taking and delivering their food orders, and ensuring that there is great ambiance and a memorable setting

Even after customers have received and are enjoying their food, a server should periodically check to ensure that they have everything they need. Quite often you will find there are additional questions, such as, “what desserts do you have?”, “Do you have Wi-Fi?”, or “What types of wines or beers do you have?”. It’s all part of ensuring that all guests have a memorable dining experience.

Key Roles of a Restaurant Server

You are essentially the guide that customers depend on to highlight features and services they will enjoy during their visit. Along with being the primary contact for guests, the following are a few fundamental duties that a server performs. 

1. Explaining the Menu

A server should know the restaurant’s menu well enough to guide the customer in making an educated decision on a dish of choice, along with answering any related questions that diners may have. Occasionally, restaurants may also offer discounts and special offers. In such cases, the server must be aware of such offers and inform guests who may want to take advantage of them. 

Another key reason for waiting staff to adequately know the menu is in order to upsell customers whenever possible. You should listen keenly to customer choices, ask inquiring questions and make suggestions on items that may go well with their selections.     

2. Welcoming and Seating Guests

Some hotels employ porters, hosts and hostesses that usher in guests into the front office and dining areas. However, in a restaurant or event like setting a server will generally the person that fills this instrumental role.

The waiter greets and welcomes customers with a warm smile and appropriate salutations, as patrons enter the restaurant. The server will also direct guests to appropriate seating, depending on the size of the diner’s group, and any special requirements.    

3. Taking Orders and Processing Sales

Servers are generally responsible for carrying out multiple parts of the sales process. A restaurant server receives orders, communicates these orders to the kitchen staff, and delivers the food and drinks to the customers once prepared.

Once the customer gets through with dining, the server is responsible for providing a final receipt, and most often also collects payment.

4. Coordinate with patrons and other Staff

A server acts as a direct link between guests and other restaurant staff, such as with kitchen personnel and bartenders. Wait staff receives feedback and modification requests from customers and relays them to the appropriate individuals to be filled     

If the guests require any special attention, such as unique seating arrangements and special dietary needs, the waiter will also communicate those details to those responsible.

5. Clearing and setting of tables

Clearing and setting of dining tables is another critical role of the restaurant serving staff. Examples of duties here include removing dinnerware, replacing dirty linens, and utensils. Servers are also be tasked with replenishing table condiments such as salt and pepper shakers, napkins, sugar bowls, sauces and anything else that’s needed. 

After a table has been used, the waitstaff must see to it that they tidy the table and set it with silverware, glassware and menus to prepare for the next guest.

6. Other Side duties

Besides the main duties described above, there are other duties that they may be called upon to help with. Examples include plating or putting food in containers, cleaning and vacuuming of the service areas, updating the utensils board, lighting of candles, and laundering the linen.

In some cases, the waitstaff may also be charged with front-of-house tasks, such as planning menus and participating in promotional activities.

Do You Need College Training to Become A Restaurant Server?

Waiters and waitresses do not need a traditional education to be successful in their field. What is required is developing and nurturing great customer care skills, pride yourself in providing a class hospitality, and having an overall desire to provide exceptional service.   

Although a traditional college education is a bonus, you can easily become a professional server by training on-the-job, digesting information on the industry, and other forms of professional development to sharpen your skills. All it takes is a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work in a high-paced and dynamic industry.

The hospitality industry is without a doubt one of the most highly-demanding sectors, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. Providing service and an atmosphere that makes a night out with friends at a restaurant, or at a pop-up dinner party at home, a memorable and fun experience. Being on the receiving end of a big thank you and an ear to ear smile coated with happiness and appreciation, is one of the best feelings to experience.     

As a restaurant server you will need to be well-organized in order to keep track of all the tables under your watch, as well as letting out your social butterfly to flap its wings and connect with each table. This is an artful dance that is developed as you gain more experience. It will also be one of your best weapons to maximizing on your tips. As a concierge server, it will also be an incredibly vital tool in building your client base for future orders.   

What is the amuse-bouche?

The restaurant industry is both beauty and beast, and as a food service provider you will likely experience both. You will come across rough patrons who make a long day longer, but then you will meet other others who make your night, or day, as memorable as you make theirs. In both cases, a high level of professionalism and hospitality should be maintained, for the best experience to be obtained. Following this principal can help bring you more tips, as well develop unsuspected relationships.

Two other major upside to the industry are its ease of entry and the potential for growth. You can start as a server and work your way into owning your own restaurant with time. With emerging platforms such as FoodiWant, getting out of the starting blocks to that finish line could just become that much faster and more probable.