Waiters and Waitresses

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

• Collect payments from customers.
• Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
• Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.
• Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
• Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
• Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
• Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.
• Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
• Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.
• Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
• Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.