What are the duties of a service worker in the catering industry?

Whether Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Munich or Stuttgart - a waiter or waitress in the catering industry is almost always in demand, and job offers are almost always available. A waiter or waitress is needed practically everywhere in every industry with direct customer contact, from restaurants to bistros to hotels. Many companies also offer the waiter job as a part-time job or to help out as a mini-job, so that people without experience or appropriate training and with only a little time can often find employment here. In addition, the tips that you receive from guests as a waiter are sometimes very good. This makes waitressing an ideal part-time job for students, pupils, pensioners and anyone else who wants to earn a little extra money.

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Typical tasks of a service employee in the catering trade

The most typical duties of a food service worker are:  

• Reception and seat assignment of the guests
• Supervise a certain number of tables
• Taking orders and advising guests, recording any special requests
• Recommendations
• Passing on customer requests or opinions to the kitchen
• Serve
• Invoicing
• Cashier
• Clearing and cleaning the tables
• Polishing the cutlery
• Daily accounting
• Inventory and reordering of goods

In addition, and depending on the operation, a service worker may also assist in the presentation and preparation of dishes, buffet, behind the bar, in the stockroom, or in the kitchen itself, preparing smaller dishes or beverages.

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Training required? Requirements for catering service staff

Anyone who wants to work as a service employee does not necessarily have to have undergone training for this, but should definitely meet certain requirements. When looking after guests, you need above all good manners, a confident, open and well-groomed appearance, patience and empathy as well as a very good knowledge of German and English. In addition, you should be able to work under pressure and be stress-resistant, as things can get hectic in the restaurant or kitchen when many orders are placed at once or when you have to satisfy demanding guests. 

A focused and structured approach to work is also essential to avoid mixing up orders and tables - after all, every guest wants to receive exactly the dish they ordered. Teamwork together with the kitchen team and other service staff is just as important for the smooth running of a restaurant, so that customers receive their orders as quickly as possible. 

When charging for an order, quick mental arithmetic and, above all, diligence are advantageous so that guests feel safe and courteously treated. Employers often additionally want a health certificate and possibly wine knowledge so that one can advise customers on the selection and make sound recommendations. 

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The right job: More about resume, salary and tasks

As previously mentioned, there is a very wide range of jobs for service staff in the catering industry. This is because service staff can work not only in restaurants, cafés, bars or hotels, but also for catering companies, in retirement homes, in retail, for private households, at events, in warehouses and so on.

So the opportunities here are truly diverse, as companies are constantly looking for service staff to ensure customer satisfaction and the best solution for everyone. Because of this wide range of job opportunities, service staff often have a wide variety of positions on their CVs, from a small village pub to a luxury hotel in a metropolis. Depending on the size, location and turnover of the company, the salary of a service employee can vary greatly. 

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FAQ

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about being a service employee in the catering industry.

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What are the job opportunities for a food service worker?

The need for service staff is great and the range of jobs is diverse. In addition to restaurants, hotels, cafés or bars, there are always applications for homes, warehouses, in the food trade, in catering, for events or even for private households. Depending on the workplace, the specific tasks vary accordingly. 

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What are the duties of a service worker in the catering industry?

A service worker in the catering industry receives, attends to and takes orders from guests. She is the interface between kitchen staff and customers and ensures that everything runs smoothly in customer service. In addition, she is responsible for billing and for special customer requests.

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What is the salary in the restaurant industry for a waitress? 

On average, a food service employee earns between €1,645 and €2,242 gross. Of course, this also depends on whether the waitress works full or part time, what level of experience she has, in which establishment she works and what specific tasks she is assigned. In addition, waiters and waitresses can often look forward to handsome tips.

Are you interested in salaries in different professions? Take a look at the salary for drivers, the salary for pest controllers and the salary for cleaners .

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