Non-Restaurant Food Server

Your Fit

Income

$37K

Preparation

Some

Growth

3.1%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Non-Restaurant Food Server?

Non-Restaurant Food Servers are responsible for serving food and beverages in settings other than traditional restaurants, such as hotels, hospitals, corporate dining, and educational institutions. They ensure efficient service and a pleasant dining experience for guests and clients.

Sample job titles:

Food Service Worker, Room Server, Room Service Server, Tray Server

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Non-Restaurant Food Server.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Non-Restaurant Food Server earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Non-Restaurant Food Server.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$31K per year	$32K per year	$37K per year	$46K per year	$62K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $28K below the national average.

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What does a Non-Restaurant Food Server do?

Work environment

These professionals work in a variety of environments, including cafeterias, hospitals, schools, corporate buildings, and event venues. The work can be fast-paced, especially during peak meal times, and may involve weekend and evening shifts, depending on the setting.

Quick task list

Serves food and beverages to guests in a timely and courteous manner.
Sets up dining areas and buffet lines.
Maintains cleanliness and order in serving and dining areas.
Assists in kitchen prep work as needed.
Handles cash and card transactions for meals.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Hospital Food Service: Focusing on serving patients in hospital settings, often with specific dietary requirements.
Corporate Dining Services: Serving in corporate offices and business settings, often catering to professionals.
Educational Institution Dining: Working in school cafeterias, from elementary schools to universities.
Catering and Event Services: Specializing in serving at special events, such as weddings, conferences, and banquets.
Senior Living Facility Dining: Providing meal service to residents in senior living or assisted living communities.

Description

Non-Restaurant Food Servers play a crucial role in ensuring a satisfying dining experience outside of traditional restaurant settings. They need to be adept at multitasking, handling various aspects of food service, from preparation to clean-up. Good interpersonal skills are essential, as these servers often interact directly with clients, patients, or customers, requiring a friendly and professional demeanor.

Knowledge of food safety and hygiene is important in this role. Servers must also be able to follow instructions and adhere to specific dietary requirements or guidelines, particularly in healthcare or educational settings. The ability to work in a team is crucial, as they often collaborate closely with kitchen staff and other service personnel.

This career can be gratifying for those who enjoy working in a service-oriented role and have a passion for food service, but in a setting distinct from the typical restaurant environment. It offers the opportunity to interact with a diverse range of people and to be part of a team that contributes to the well-being and satisfaction of clients or customers in various settings.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Providing a high level of service and enhancing the dining experience for guests.
Working in diverse environments and interacting with different groups of people.
Being part of a team that delivers quality food service outside of traditional restaurant settings.

You might make a good Non-Restaurant Food Server if you are...

Skilled in customer service and enjoy interacting with people.
Able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
Detail-oriented, particularly in following dietary guidelines and service standards.
Comfortable working in a team and contributing to collaborative efforts.
Interested in a food service career with varied work environments and clientele.

Pros:

Opportunities to work in unique and diverse settings.
Regular interaction with a variety of people.
Potential for flexible schedules, depending on the work setting.

Cons:

The job can be physically demanding with long hours on your feet.
Work schedules may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Fast-paced environment that can be stressful during peak times.

How to become a Non-Restaurant Food Server

Typical education

Generally, a high school diploma or equivalent is sufficient for entry into this occupation. On-the-job training is commonly provided, and there are no formal education requirements beyond high school.

High school preparation

Courses:

Hospitality or Home Economics courses for foundational knowledge in food service.
Health and Nutrition classes to understand dietary needs and food safety.
Business and Communication courses to develop customer service skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Part-time jobs or internships in catering, food service, or hospitality.
Volunteering for school or community events where food is served.
Participation in clubs or teams that emphasize teamwork and service.

Preparation after high school

Vocational training programs in food service or hospitality.
Certifications in food handling and safety.
Entry-level positions in food service to gain practical experience and skills.

More resources

National Restaurant Association - Provides educational resources and training for food service professionals.
ServSafe - Offers food safety training and certification programs.
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute - Provides training and certification for hospitality industry professionals.
School Nutrition Association - Offers resources for professionals in school cafeteria settings.
Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals - A professional group for foodservice managers and workers in healthcare and other community settings.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.