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What does a Food Server do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A food server is responsible for taking orders and serving food to customers in a restaurant. They may also be responsible for cleaning tables and preparing the dining room for service.

Food Server job duties include:

  • Greeting customers as they arrive and showing them to their seats
  • Taking orders and serving food and drinks
  • Making sure customers are happy with their meals and taking action to rectify any problems
  • Clearing away used dishes and cutlery
  • Resetting tables for the next customers
  • Delivering bills and taking payment
  • Offering advice on food and drink choices
  • Answering customer questions about menu items, ingredients, and preparation methods
  • Promoting special menu items

Food Server Job Requirements

A food server is responsible for taking orders and serving food and drinks to customers. They may also be responsible for cleaning and setting tables, as well as preparing food for service. A food server should have a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as basic math skills. Some restaurants may require certification from a culinary school or previous experience in the food industry.

Food Server Skills

  • People skills
  • Patience
  • Multi-tasking
  • Speed
  • Accuracy
  • Organization
  • Memory
  • Physical stamina
  • Detail oriented
  • Thick skinned
  • Flexible

Related: Top Food Server Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Food Server

A food server is someone who works in the food service industry, taking orders and serving food to customers. There are many different types of food servers, from waiters and waitresses in restaurants to servers in cafeterias and other food service establishments. If you're interested in becoming a food server, there are a few things you should know.

First, it's important to be friendly and outgoing. Customers want to have a good experience when they eat out, and part of that is being served by someone who is pleasant and accommodating. If you're the type of person who enjoys interacting with others, then a career as a food server may be a good fit for you.

Second, you should be able to handle customer requests in a timely and efficient manner. When customers place an order, they expect to receive their food promptly. If you're the type of person who can stay calm under pressure and keep track of multiple orders at once, then a career as a food server may be right for you.

Third, it's important to have basic knowledge of food safety procedures. As a food server, you'll be responsible for handling and serving food, so it's important that you know how to do so safely. There are many resources available to learn about food safety, so if you're interested in becoming a food server, make sure to do your research and brush up on your knowledge.

If you think a career as a food server might be right for you, then take the time to learn more about the industry and what it takes to succeed. With hard work and dedication, you can become a successful food server in no time!

Related: Food Server Resume Example

Related: Food Server Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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