A Dining Room Server is a professional who plays a crucial role in providing excellent customer service and ensuring a smooth dining experience for guests. They are responsible for taking orders, serving food and beverages, and attending to the needs of customers. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Dining Room Servers.

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Main Responsibilities of a Dining Room Server

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Dining Room Server:

Adhere to

• Adhere to established policies and procedures.

• Adhere to safe work practices and procedures.

Advise

Advise Dining Room Manager of any supplies to be ordered.

Answer

• Answer customer and public inquiries.

• Answer food, wine, and beverage questions.

Arrange

Arrange silverware for each assigned station.

Assist with

• Assist cook with food preparation as required.

• Assist guests in making menu selections and offer recommendations.

• Assist in bussing tables and clearing dishes when necessary.

• Assist in controlling food costs, when possible.

• Assist in setting up and breaking down dining room events or functions.

• Assist patrons in food and beverage selections.

• Assist residents in a manner that preserves dignity and promotes independence.

• Assist residents in completing menus as needed.

• Assist with cleaning of the kitchen service area and assist with prep work for service.

• Assist with closing duties.

• Assist with dishwashing as assigned.

• Assist with plating and delivery of meals to remote locations or Resident's rooms if requested.

Assume

Assume personal responsibility for maintaining and enhancing current skills.

Attend

Attend training sessions to enhance product knowledge and service skills.

Bend

Bend, kneel, and work with arms raised on a regular basis.

Build

Build and maintain friendly, reciprocal and warm relationships with individuals and groups.

Carry

Carry plates from kitchen to residents within 30 minutes of resident taking seat.

Check

• Check on guests to ensure satisfaction with their meals.

• Check the reservations for the morning and lunch meals and prepares the signs for the tables.

Clean

• Clean and set up the dining room between meals.

• Clean dining room and reset (sweep and mop).

• Clean and vacuum dining room after each meal.

• Clean work areas and set dining area.

Clear

• Clear and clean all the tables in time for the following meal.

• Clear tables as needed and reset.

• Clear tables, load and safely operate dishwasher.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with kitchen staff to ensure smooth service flow.

• Collaborate with other staff members to provide seamless service.

Collect

Collect all tablecloths for cleaning.

Communicate

• Communicate effectively with the kitchen staff to manage order timing.

• Communicate special requests or dietary restrictions to the kitchen.

• Communicate through department Communication Log.

Complete

• Complete all required mandatory training / education.

• Complete daily checklist of duties for kitchen and dining room areas, as assigned.

• Complete daily Meal Monitor to track Resident food comments.

• Complete manual ware washing as required.

Cooperate

Cooperate in meeting licensing standards.

Deliver

• Deliver all aspects of meals to the tables in a professional manner.

• Deliver food and beverages to the appropriate tables.

Dish

Dish and serve appropriate appetizers.

Distribute

Distribute meal tickets to each table.

Ensure

• Ensure all orders are prepared correctly and meet quality standards.

• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

• Ensure resident and guest satisfaction with meal service.

• Ensure safe food handling practices.

• Ensure tables are set up properly and presentable.

• Ensure that all the residents are served and all their needs are met.

• Ensure that every table is clean and organized.

• Ensure the Dining Room is welcoming to Resident's and their guests.

• Ensure walking aids (walkers) are stored outside the dining room.

Execute

Execute show quality standards at all times.

Fill out

Fill out Chit for guest meals and return to Reception.

Follow

• Follow and completes daily task assignments, ensuring all work is completed properly.

• Follow cleaning schedules and perform cleaning duties as scheduled.

• Follow the dining services procedures including sanitation, safety, and cleaning schedules.

Follow-up

Follow-up on missing residents with Reception.

Greet

Greet and welcome guests upon their arrival.

Handle

• Handle cash transactions and operate the point-of-sale system.

• Handle chits for meal guests.

• Handle customer inquiries, concerns, and complaints professionally.

Help

• Help those residents requiring assistance with their plates and also their walkers.

• Help with beverage refills.

Insure

Insure that the refrigerator and cabinets are clean and organized.

Learn

Learn and retains Residents names, special requests, and dietary restrictions.

Maintain

• Maintain a fine dining atmosphere and handle guest complaints / requests quickly.

• Maintain a professional appearance and adhere to uniform guidelines.

• Maintain cleanliness and organization in the dining area.

• Maintain effective communication, both written and verbal with co-workers.

• Maintain impeccable table appearance.

• Maintain knowledge of menu items, ingredients, and preparation methods.

Make

• Make beverage recommendations.

• Make sure the buffet food is fresh and hot, and replenished.

Manage

Manage large groups quickly and efficiently through attentive service and precise order taking.

Memorize

Memorize daily specials and special daily menu instructions.

Monitor

Monitor tables and promptly respond to customer requests or concerns.

Notify

Notify kitchen personnel of food orders, shortages or special orders.

Obtain

Obtain food and supplies for meal service as directed by the Dining Manager / Chef / Lead Cook.

Offer

• Offer a high level of hospitality.

• Offer dessert and beverage options to customers.

Open

Open restaurant doors and monitors that the buffet area is well-stocked and clean.

Organize

Organize the juices, milk, bread, water, and cereal area.

Perform

• Perform special cleaning assignments as specified by the Dining Room Manager.

• Perform the set-up, serving and tear down services at meal times and booked catering events.

Pick up

Pick up meal tickets for next meal.

Prepare

• Prepare appropriate beverages.

• Prepare food for serving to residents and guests.

• Prepare for second seating.

• Prepare tables as per facility standards.

• Prepare the coffee and condiments.

Present

Present the check to guests and process payments accurately.

Promote

Promote the site in a positive manner demonstrating a commitment to its service excellence.

Provide

• Provide each table with pitcher of ice water.

• Provide excellent customer service.

• Provide exceptional customer service and create a positive dining experience.

• Provide flawless table service.

• Provide menus to guests and explain daily specials.

• Provide professional and friendly service to all resort guests.

• Provide quick, efficient, and pleasant delivery of food / beverages to all guests and residents.

Refill

Refill water glasses and replenish condiments as needed.

Relay

Relay any concerns to the Dining Room Supervisor, Food Services Manager Food Services Supervisor.

Remove

Remove dishes from the table using formal dining procedure.

Reset

Reset tables and prepare them for the next guests.

Serve

• Serve coffee and tea during meal.

• Serve food and beverages promptly and accurately.

• Serve food and / or beverages.

• Serve food in accordance with proper food service procedures, with emphasis on presentation.

• Serve it Right, WHMIS and Food Safe certificates are assets.

• Serve refreshments and catered functions are assigned.

Set

Set dining room tables, and clears the dining room of dishes, utensils, etc..

Set-up

• Set-up and decoration of the dining room tables for mealtimes.

• Set-up appropriate condiments.

Stock

Stock lounge kitchenettes and main dining room with food and beverages for resident use.

Support

Support all catering, room service, special party needs, marketing functions, etc..

Take

• Take accurate food and beverage orders from customers.

• Take and process guests' orders in a timely fashion.

• Take drink and food orders, serve residents and guests in a professional and efficient manner.

• Take food orders from residents & guests.

Transport

Transport used dishes, waste, refuse and used linen to collection areas.

Understand

Understand the proper techniques of serving.

Upsell

Upsell additional food and beverage items to enhance the dining experience.

Use

Use the appropriate lines of communication with management staff.

Walk

Walk and stand on a variety of surfaces for at least 4 hrs per day.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Dining Room Server:

1. Knowledge of food and beverage menu items.

2. Familiarity with POS (Point of Sale) systems and cash handling.

3. Ability to accurately take and enter orders into the system.

4. Understanding of food safety and sanitation regulations.

5. Proficiency in tableside service techniques and etiquette.

6. Basic math skills for handling payments and making change.

7. Knowledge of wine and beverage pairing.

8. Ability to carry trays and navigate a busy dining area.

9. Familiarity with different types of glassware and table settings.

10. Experience with operating coffee machines, soda dispensers, and other beverage equipment.

11. Understanding of allergen and dietary restriction considerations.

12. Knowledge of menu ingredients, preparation methods, and cooking techniques.

13. Ability to handle multiple tables and prioritize tasks effectively.

14. Experience in handling customer complaints or difficult situations.

15. Familiarity with menu presentation and suggestive selling techniques.

16. Basic knowledge of restaurant operations and service standards.

17. Ability to work collaboratively with the kitchen and other staff members.

18. Proficiency in using handheld devices or tablets for order taking.

19. Understanding of restaurant timing and coordination with kitchen staff.

20. Knowledge of basic bar service and mixing simple cocktails.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Dining Room Server:

1. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

2. Friendly and welcoming demeanor.

3. Active listening and attentiveness to customer needs.

4. Ability to remain calm under pressure and handle a fast-paced environment.

5. Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.

6. Flexibility and adaptability to changing situations.

7. Attention to detail and accuracy in order taking and serving.

8. Time management and organizational skills.

9. Problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

10. Positive attitude and a customer-centric mindset.

Conclusion

Dining Room Servers play a crucial role in delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring a pleasant dining experience for guests. Their responsibilities include taking orders, serving food and beverages, maintaining a clean and organized dining area, and providing outstanding hospitality. To excel in this role, Dining Room Servers need a combination of hard skills such as menu knowledge, POS system proficiency, and service techniques, as well as soft skills including communication, teamwork, and adaptability. By possessing the required hard and soft skills, Dining Room Servers can create memorable dining experiences and contribute to the success of the restaurant.