What does a Waitress do?
Published 3 min read
A waitress is someone who works in a restaurant, cafe, or bar, and is responsible for taking customers' orders and serving food and drinks.
Waitress job duties include:
- Greeting customers as they arrive and seating them at their tables
- Taking orders and relaying them to the kitchen staff
- Serving food and drinks to customers
- Checking on customers throughout their meals to ensure they are satisfied
- Clearing away finished plates and glasses
- Answering any questions customers may have about the menu
- Making sure the dining room is clean and presentable
- Handling customer complaints in a professional manner
- Processing payments at the end of the meal
Waitress Job Requirements
Most waitresses have a high school diploma, although some restaurants may require postsecondary education, such as a certificate from a vocational school. Many waitresses gain experience through on-the-job training. Some states require waitresses to obtain a food handler’s license.
Waitress Skills
- Communication
- Organization
- Multi-tasking
- Customer service
- Patience
- Attention to detail
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Flexibility
- Teamwork
- Memory
Related: Top Waitress Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Waitress
A waitress is someone who works in a restaurant, taking and delivering orders. Waitressing can be a fun and rewarding job, but it does require some skills and training. Here are a few tips on how to become a waitress:
1. Learn the menu. As a waitress, you will be responsible for knowing what dishes are available and how they are prepared. This means taking the time to learn the menu inside and out.
2. Develop your people skills. A big part of being a waitress is interacting with customers. You need to be able to take orders and answer questions in a friendly and professional manner.
3. Be efficient. In a busy restaurant, things can move quickly. You need to be able to think on your feet and keep up with the pace.
4. Stay organized. From taking orders to delivering food, there is a lot to keep track of as a waitress. Staying organized will help you stay on top of everything and provide good service to your customers.
5. Be patient. Some customers can be challenging, but it is important to remain patient and polite at all times.
If you have these qualities, then you have what it takes to be a great waitress!
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