According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Take orders from patrons for food or beverages. | 95% |
| Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems. | 95% |
| Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages. | 94% |
| Collect payments from customers. | 93% |
| Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff. | 92% |
| Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes. | 91% |
| Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request. | 90% |
| Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning. | 90% |
| Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required. | 89% |
| Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining. | 89% |
| Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware. | 88% |
| Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods. | 88% |
| Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests. | 87% |
| Escort customers to their tables. | 87% |
| Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom. | 86% |
| Inform customers of daily specials. | 85% |
| Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine. | 84% |
| Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties. | 84% |
| Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens. | 84% |
| Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers. | 83% |
| Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers. | 82% |
| Describe and recommend wines to customers. | 82% |
| Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee. | 81% |
| Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving. | 80% |
| Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions. | 61% |
