Waiters and Waitresses
Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
- Tasks
- 25 tasks24 core, 1 supplemental
- Family
- Food Preparation & ServingOne of its 18 occupations
- Code
- 35-3031.00SOC 2018: 35-3031
What the work is made of
24 core tasks and 1 supplemental, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.
Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not all
- Task 1. Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.Core taskTask 2278Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 2. Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.Core taskTask 2279Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 3. Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.Core taskTask 2275Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 4. Collect payments from customers.Core taskTask 2276Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 5. Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.Core taskTask 2277Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 6. Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.Core taskTask 2281Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 7. Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.Core taskTask 2283Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 8. Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.Core taskTask 18745Rated by 120 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 9. Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.Core taskTask 2280Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 10. Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.Core taskTask 2285Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 11. Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.Core taskTask 2288Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 12. Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.Core taskTask 2287Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 13. Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests.Core taskTask 18746Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 14. Escort customers to their tables.Core taskTask 2293Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 15. Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.Core taskTask 18747Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 16. Inform customers of daily specials.Core taskTask 2284Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 17. Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.Core taskTask 2286Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 18. Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.Core taskTask 18744Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 19. Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.Core taskTask 2290Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 20. Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.Core taskTask 2295Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 21. Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.Core taskTask 2292Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 22. Describe and recommend wines to customers.Core taskTask 2294Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 23. Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.Core taskTask 2289Rated by 120 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 24. Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.Core taskTask 18748Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018
- Task 25. Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving.Supplemental taskTask 2291Rated by 119 people who do the job, August 2018
Where this comes from
Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.
How we copy and credit sources- Published byO*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
- ClassificationStandard Occupational Classification 2018, 35-3031
- LicenseCC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
- Changed by usNothing.
More in Food Preparation & Serving
17 other occupations in this family, each with its own page.
- Baristas19 tasks
- Bartenders20 tasks
- Chefs and Head Cooks21 tasks
- Cooks, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Cooks, Fast Food19 tasks
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria17 tasks
- Cooks, Private Household13 tasks
- Cooks, Restaurant20 tasks
- Cooks, Short Order11 tasks
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers23 tasks
- Dishwashers13 tasks
- Fast Food and Counter Workers27 tasks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers26 tasks
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Food Preparation Workers31 tasks
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant14 tasks
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop21 tasks
Use this record
Every task on this page is free to reuse, with credit to O*NET. The code and data behind the record are public.
Partner with us
Fund the next pass, contribute data, or build on the record. Tell us what you have in mind.
Partner with us