Food Runner

JOB SUMMARY:

A Food Runner is responsible for supporting waitstaff in carrying beverages and meal items to designated tables. Their duties include communicating with Waiters to determine their needs, carrying food items from the expediting counter to the right table and helping with cleanup duties after the conclusion of service. A Food Runner must be able to multitask in order to ensure customers get their orders promptly. Food Runners possess a high degree of organizational skills to easily locate tables and bar patrons to fulfill everyone’s orders. A Food Runner needs excellent communication skills to ensure they meet customers’ requests. Not only does the Food Runner have to listen to learn where the food needs to go, but they also have to communicate with the customers whether it’s checking on their satisfaction or taking an impromptu request. Their job is to clean trays and tray holders in between use, transfer dishes from the expediting counter to serving trays and place food on the table in front of the appropriate diners. They may also interact with customers who need refills on drinks or additional menu items and take orders in the absence of Waiters. Runners maintain the cleanliness of the expo line, organization of order tickets, and communicate effectively with the team. The Food Runner will also be responsible for the initial expediting of carryout and catering orders. Main duties are handing the order to the chef, double checking orders, matching the food ticket to the customer, and refilling customer's drinks. High levels of attention to detail and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment. As part of your role, you will be asked to prepare tables, explain meals to customers, and act as a middle person between our kitchen and wait staff. The position of a food runner is a customer-facing one. This means that you will need to have strong customer service skills. You will play a key role in ensuring that your customers enjoy their meals, leave satisfied, and plan to return in the future. Runners are friendly, professional, and demonstrates excellent communication skills. The Runner oversees cost effectiveness, productivity, and the provision of company and customer demands that nurture continuous improvement. The Runner is responsible for implementing quality assurance principles and practices throughout the company.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Deliver food orders to customers quickly and accurately.

· Uphold our food health safety and sanitation principles.

· Bus tables by removing dirty dishes and trash.

· Check in with customers to ensure their experience is satisfactory.

· Relay reports of customer satisfaction to the management and relevant parties.

· Ensure patrons have all the appropriate tableware they need to properly enjoy their food.

· Assist setting up tables before service with appropriate utensils, napkins, and decorations.

· Handle various impromptu requests from customers.

· Obtain and Maintain a working knowledge of all food menus including carryout and catering menus.

· Assure guests have everything they need on the tables after delivery of food.

· Ensures guest has proper silverware, napkin, share plates when delivering food.

· Keep kitchen station clean and organized.

· Utensils & steak knives polished and stocked.

· Assist all servers, bartenders, and managers with carrying of plates.

· Communicate effectively and courteously with guests, and co-workers.

· Communicate food orders to chefs, paying attention to priorities and special requests (e.g. food allergies)

· Perform calmly and effectively under stressful conditions.

· Promote an atmosphere of teamwork by assisting co-workers.

· Occasionally check on customers to handle any impromptu requests or issues.

· Ensure a customer is receiving the correct order.

· Double check the order before it goes to a customer.

· Organize food tickets for the chefs.

· Assists the kitchen and service staff as needed to maintain the highest level of food quality, presentation, and timing to optimize our guests dining experience.

· Sets up the front line with the equipment, plate ware, and smallware’s needed to effectively serve all food products.

· Keeps station restocked throughout the shift.

· Cleans large and small trays and tray stands to be ready for service.

· Reads order tickets as they arrive and place onto ticket minder.

· Tracks cooking times on all orders, checks finished product for proper degree of doneness, appearance, and plate presentation.

· Garnishes finished entrees according to house specifications and procedures.

· Assists the server as needed to optimize the guest’s dining experience.

· Accomplishes all job duties while adhering to all safety guidelines and practices throughout the shift.

· Reports any unsafe condition, unsafe act, accidents and/or injuries to the chef or other manager on duty.

· Correctly completes closing duties at the end of each shift.

· Assists Chef and other kitchen personnel in accomplishing closing duties and kitchen cleanliness.

· Completes all side work in the front and/or back of the house as assigned and scheduled by the members of the management team.

· Flexibility and willingness to adapt to changes.

· Driven and self-motivated.

· Maintain customer privacy, behave with open-mindedness and cultural sensitivity.

· Support the team on all integrations and proposals.

· Planning, designing, and executing projects.

· Strong attention to detail and problem-solving ability.

· Implement quality assurance standards and provide accurate feedback.

· Ensure performance, reliability, functionality, and compatibility is up to company standards.

· Patience and the ability to maintain a professional demeanor.

· Performs other related duties as assigned.

· Enforce and follow health and safety precautions.

· Follow all safety and state guidelines for preventing transmission of Covid-19 and other illnesses.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

· Understanding of quality standards and health & safety regulations.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

· Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

· Excellent sales and customer service skills.

· Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

· Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.

· Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.

· Ability to frequently lift, move and/or push up to 50 pounds without assistance.

· Ability to sit, walk, climb up and down stairs repeatedly for extended periods of time.