National

Serve food to diners at counter or from a steam table.

Sample of reported job titles: Food Service Worker, Cafeteria Worker, Food Service Assistant, Line Server, Server, Cafe Server, Cafe Worker, Cafeteria Server, Deli Worker (Delicatessen Worker), Drive Thru Order Taker

Also see: Baristas

Tasks

• Scrub and polish counters, steam tables, and other equipment, and clean glasses, dishes, and fountain equipment.
• Serve food, beverages, or desserts to customers in such settings as take-out counters of restaurants or lunchrooms, business or industrial establishments, hotel rooms, and cars.
• Replenish foods at serving stations.
• Take customers' orders and write ordered items on tickets, giving ticket stubs to customers when needed to identify filled orders.
• Prepare food such as sandwiches, salads, and ice cream dishes, using standard formulas or following directions.
• Wrap menu item such as sandwiches, hot entrees, and desserts for serving or for takeout.
• Prepare bills for food, using cash registers, calculators, or adding machines, and accept payment or make change.
• Deliver orders to kitchens, and pick up and serve food when it is ready.
• Serve salads, vegetables, meat, breads, and cocktails, ladle soups and sauces, portion desserts, and fill beverage cups and glasses.
• Add relishes and garnishes to food orders, according to instructions.

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Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Technology used in this occupation: