Banquet Server - Full-time / Part-time

Banquet Servers serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments. They anticipate the needs of the guests and respond professionally to requests.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Greet guests
• Give guests menus and or verbally present menu options
• Take beverage and meal orders
• Serve guests
• Carry heavy trays of food, dishes, and glassware
• Clear tables  during the event
• Answer guests’ questions and respond to their concerns
• Direct customers to coatrooms and restrooms and help with other requests
• Set up: tablecloth and place settings, table arrangement and placement, and assembling a buffet
• Bends, climb, reach, lift and carry objects weighing 25-50 lbs.
• Focuses on the job while staying on their feet moving about freely
• Work as part of a team, helping coworkers to improve workflow and customer service
• Follow all required safety and standard operating procedures
• Adhere to all company and regulatory policies, procedures and standards of conduct
• Pour cold and hot beverages
• Break down table settings, removes tablecloths and linens, and other items
• Able to perform all other duties as assigned

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Banquet Servers work in banquet halls and meeting rooms, full-service restaurants, casual dining eateries, and other food service establishments. During busy hours, they are under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently.  Banquet Servers spend most of their work time on their feet.  They perform repetitive tasks and lift heavy food trays.  Although the work is generally safe, injuries from lifting heavy items, and slips and cuts can result from hurrying.

Training

Almost all new employees receive some training from their employer.  They typically learn basic customer service and safety procedures.  Banquet servers learn skills by watching and working with more experienced workers.  They learn the operating philosophy of the restaurant on the job.  This helps new employees establish a personal rapport with other staff, teach formal serving techniques, and instill a desire to work as a team. 

Advancement

Advancement opportunities are often limited to those who remain on the job for a long period of time. After gaining experience, some banquet servers advance to food service and banquet captains supervisors and managers.

Skills and Specialized Knowledge

Customer service skills. Food service establishments rely on good food and customer service to keep customers and succeed in a competitive industry. As a result, banquet servers should be courteous and be able to quickly attend to customers’ requests.

Decision making skills. Because of the legal issues that come with serving alcohol, banquet servers must make good decisions at all times. For example, they should be able to detect intoxicated customers and follow operational procedures for handling such matters which may include denying service to those customers.

People skills. Banquet Servers should be friendly, tactful, and attentive when dealing with customers. For example, they should be able to laugh and make small talk with a customer to build rapport.

Stamina. Banquet Servers must be able to spend much of their work time standing and attending to customers’ needs.

Teamwork. Banquet Servers must be able to work well as a team to ensure that customers feel welcomed and receive prompt service.

To perform the job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Note: In some states, a Server must be 21 years of age to serve alcoholic beverages.

• Must meet company and client hire requirements
• Credit check required for all cash and payment handlers
• Must possess a true desire to satisfy the needs of customers – Service Passion
• Ability to learn quickly and work in a fast-paced environment
• Must be able to multi-task
• Communicates effectively
• Able to stand and move moderate distances for extensive time periods
• Must be able to carry heavy trays of food, dishes, and glassware
• Must be able to work under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently
• Able to follow instructions
• Must work as part of a team and independently
• Meet grooming standards
• Must wear safety shoes to avoid slips and falls
• Must follow all standard operating procedures
• Must adhere to company policies, procedures and standards of conduct
• Must have reliable transportation

Education

High school diploma preferred but not required

Customer service or server experience preferred

Work Schedules

Must be able to work a flexible schedule that includes days, nights, weekends and holidays

Report for work at required time and dates and maintain a responsible attendance record 

Rewards

• Competitive pay
• Eligible to participate in the health benefit program
• Upward career growth
• The opportunity to play an integral role in the growth of the business.