A server is responsible for taking customer orders as well as for serving food and beverages. Servers are also called upon to prepare itemized checks for their customers, and may also be required to accept payment from their customers as well.
The specific duties of a server may vary considerably, depending on the establishment in which he or she works. In coffee shops that serve routine, straightforward fare such as salads, soups, and sandwiches, a server may be expected to provide fast, efficient, and courteous service. In fine dining restaurants, on the other hand, where more complicated meals are prepared and often served over several courses, a server may be expected to provide a more formal service that emphasizes personal, attentive treatment and a more leisurely dining experience.
A server may also need to meet with managers and chefs before each shift in order to discuss the menu and any new items or specials that will be added to it. The server may also need to review ingredients for any potential food allergies or talk about any food safety concerns that may arise. In addition, the server’s job may require one to maintain coordination between the kitchen and the dining room while taking care of any customer service issues that may have developed from the previous day or shift.
A career as a server may also require one to check the identification of patrons in order to ensure they meet the minimum age requirement for the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products wherever those items are sold.
Becoming a Server
There are no specific educational requirements for most food and beverage service jobs, including the job of server. Many employers do prefer to hire high school graduates for server positions, however, and some may only hire those that have taken special classes through public or private vocational schools, restaurant associations, or large restaurant chains.
If a server will also be tending bar, he or she will have to complete some additional training before being allowed to serve alcohol in that manner. Many bartenders acquire their skills by attending a bartending or vocational and technical school. These programs often include instruction on state and local laws and regulations, cocktail recipes, proper attire and conduct, and stocking a bar. Some of these schools help their graduates find jobs.
Although few employers require any minimum level of education for their servers, some specialized training is usually needed in food handling and legal issues surrounding serving alcoholic beverages. This training may be provided by the employer after hiring the new server. However, employers are more likely to hire, and promote, based on people skills and personal qualities rather than education.
