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Summary  •  Details  •  Custom

Waiters and Waitresses - 35-3031.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Waitress
  • Server
  • Waiter
  • Food Server
  • Banquet Server
  • Cocktail Server
  • Restaurant Server
  • Room Service Server
  • Food Runner
  • Waitstaff

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests.
  • Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.
  • Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
  • Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
  • Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.
  • Collect payments from customers.
  • Describe and recommend wines to customers.
  • Escort customers to their tables.
  • Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
  • Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
  • Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving.
  • Inform customers of daily specials.
  • Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.
  • Perform food preparation duties such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.
  • Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
  • Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.
  • Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
  • Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
  • Provide guests with information about local areas, including giving directions.
  • Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, take them to kitchen for cleaning.
  • Roll silverware, set up food stations or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.
  • Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
  • Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.
  • Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
  • Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.

Detailed Work Activities

  • answer customer or public inquiries
  • assist patrons at entertainment events
  • assist patrons to make wine selection
  • balance cash register
  • calculate monetary exchange
  • carve meat or bone fish or fowl
  • check ID to ensure minimum age requirement is met
  • clean rooms or work areas
  • collect payment
  • mix drinks or flavors for mixed drinks
  • notify kitchen personnel of food orders, shortages, or special orders
  • obtain information from individuals
  • prepare appetizers, salads, or cold dishes
  • prepare beverages
  • prepare bill or check in restaurant or related food establishment
  • provide customer service
  • recognize customer intoxication
  • replenish supplies of food, tableware or linen
  • serve food or beverages
  • set or clear tables in dining areas
  • understand government alcoholic beverage service regulations
  • understand government health, hotel or food service regulations
  • use cash registers
  • use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
  • use knowledge of food handling rules
  • use oral or written communication techniques

Military Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Mess Attendant
  • Steward/Stewardess, Wine
  • Waiter/Waitress
  • Waiter/Waitress, Bar
  • Waiter/Waitress, Buffet
  • Waiter/Waitress, Club
  • Waiter/Waitress, Dining Car
  • Waiter/Waitress, Formal
  • Waiter/Waitress, Informal
  • Wine Steward/Stewardess