# Waiters and Waitresses > Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment. - Code: 35-3031.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 35-3031) - Family: [Food Preparation & Serving](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-35), one of its 18 occupations - Tasks: 25 tasks (24 core and 1 supplemental) - Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-3031.00 - JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/35-3031.00.json ## What the work is made of 1. Take orders from patrons for food or beverages. Core task · Task 2278 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 2. Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems. Core task · Task 2279 · Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018 3. Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages. Core task · Task 2275 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 4. Collect payments from customers. Core task · Task 2276 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 5. Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff. Core task · Task 2277 · Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018 6. Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes. Core task · Task 2281 · Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018 7. Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request. Core task · Task 2283 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 8. Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning. Core task · Task 18745 · Rated by 120 people who do the job, August 2018 9. Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required. Core task · Task 2280 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 10. Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining. Core task · Task 2285 · Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018 11. Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware. Core task · Task 2288 · Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018 12. Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods. Core task · Task 2287 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 13. Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests. Core task · Task 18746 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 14. Escort customers to their tables. Core task · Task 2293 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 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 task · Task 18747 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 16. Inform customers of daily specials. Core task · Task 2284 · Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018 17. Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine. Core task · Task 2286 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 18. Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties. Core task · Task 18744 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 19. Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens. Core task · Task 2290 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 20. Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers. Core task · Task 2295 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 21. Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers. Core task · Task 2292 · Rated by 121 people who do the job, August 2018 22. Describe and recommend wines to customers. Core task · Task 2294 · Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018 23. Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee. Core task · Task 2289 · Rated by 120 people who do the job, August 2018 24. Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions. Core task · Task 18748 · Rated by 122 people who do the job, August 2018 25. Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving. Supplemental task · Task 2291 · Rated by 119 people who do the job, August 2018 ## More in Food Preparation & Serving - [Baristas](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-3023.01): 19 tasks - [Bartenders](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-3011.00): 20 tasks - [Chefs and Head Cooks](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-1011.00): 21 tasks - [Cooks, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-2019.00): no tasks listed - [Cooks, Fast Food](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-2011.00): 19 tasks - [Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-2012.00): 17 tasks - [Cooks, Private Household](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-2013.00): 13 tasks - [Cooks, Restaurant](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-2014.00): 20 tasks - [Cooks, Short Order](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-2015.00): 11 tasks - [Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-9011.00): 23 tasks - [Dishwashers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-9021.00): 13 tasks - [Fast Food and Counter Workers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-3023.00): 27 tasks - [First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-1012.00): 26 tasks - [Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-9099.00): no tasks listed - [Food Preparation Workers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-2021.00): 31 tasks - [Food Servers, Nonrestaurant](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-3041.00): 14 tasks - [Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/35-9031.00): 21 tasks ## Where this comes from Quoted from O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0: free to copy and reuse, with credit. 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