Waiters and Waitresses

Waiters and Waitresses typically perform the following 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. • Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods. • Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests. • Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers. • Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee. • Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.