Food service workers perform customer service, food preparation, and cleaning duties… in food service establishments from fast food restaurants to hospitals and hotels. Counter attendants and baristas take orders, process payments, and serve food at fast food restaurants, snack bars, cafeterias, movie theaters, and coffee shops. They heat simple food items and assemble salads or sandwiches. Counter attendants also fill beverage orders and may prepare specialties, such as milkshakes and ice cream sundaes. Dining room and cafeteria attendants, also called bussers, clean and set tables, remove dirty dishes, and keep serving areas stocked with trays, dishes, and silverware. They may also fill water glasses and distribute dishes to diners. Bartender helpers clean bar equipment and glasses. These workers spend most of the time on their feet and often carry heavy trays. During busy dining periods, they are under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently. Minor injuries such as slips and burns are common. To reduce risks, workers often wear gloves, aprons, or nonslip shoes. Part-time work, seasonal work, and early morning or late evening hours are common… especially for fast food workers. Workers serving alcohol generally must be 18 years of age or older. Most food and beverage service workers receive short-term, on-the-job training. There are no formal educational requirements.
What they do:
Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages.
On the job, you would:
Communicate with customers regarding orders, comments, and complaints.
Scrub and polish counters, steam tables, and other equipment, and clean glasses, dishes, and fountain equipment.
Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.
Business
customer service
sales and marketing
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
food production
manufacture and distribution of products
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Social
looking for ways to help people
understanding people's reactions
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
Attention
do two or more things at the same time
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Self Control
Dependability
Adaptability/Flexibility
Cooperation
Attention to Detail
Initiative
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Computer based training software
Quizlet
Point of sale POS software
Foodman Home-Delivery
Plexis Software Plexis POS
no high school diploma/GED or high school diploma/GED usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.