Waiting Staff
What is the work like?
Waiting staff serve customers by taking orders, serving food and preparing tables. An important part of the work is to make customers feel welcome and comfortable during their meal.
As a waiter or waitress, your main duties would include:
- greeting customers as they arrive and showing them to their table
- giving out menus and taking orders for food and drink
- serving food and drinks
- dealing with bill payments
- making sure tables are clean and tidy.
In formal restaurants your work may include providing silver service. This involves serving the main part of the dish separately to the vegetables or accompaniments. You would usually work in a team under the supervision of a head waiter or waitress, known as the 'maitre d’.
In some restaurants you would be responsible for a specific area of tables. You may be known as 'chefs de rang' and you would give advice to diners on menu choice, as well as serve them food. You could also be involved in supervising food being cooked at the table, known as 'gueridon' service.
You could also specialise in work as a wine waiter or waitress, for example in a fine dining restaurant. You would be an expert in wine and other alcoholic beverages, and you may be known as a 'sommelier'.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will not usually need any specific qualifications to work as a waiter or waitress, but you will need good communication skills and a good standard of maths and English.
Previous experience of customer service would also give you an advantage.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk (link opens in new window).
What further training and development can I do?
You will normally receive on-the-job training from your employer. You could combine this with working towards qualifications such as:
- NVQ Level 1 in Hospitality, or Customer Service
- NVQ Level 2 in Food and Drink Service, or Multi-skilled Hospitality Service
- NVQ Level 3 in Food Service Advanced Craft
- BTEC Level 2 First Certificate or Diploma in Hospitality
- BTEC Level 3 National Certificate or Diploma in Hospitality.
With experience you could progress to NVQ Level 3 in Hospitality Supervision, which includes units in supervision and management.
You may be encouraged to take courses in areas such as food safety and food hygiene. These are awarded by organisations including the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH) and the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health (RSPH).
You could also take further training to expand your knowledge of specialist areas such as wine, spirits and other alcoholic beverages. The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has details of courses and qualifications.
Where can I go for more information?
International Wine and Spirit Centre39-45 Bermondsey Street
London
SE1 3XF
Tel: 020 7089 3800
London
SW1V 4BH
Tel: 020 7630 0121
Armstrong House
38 Market Square
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 1LH
Tel: 0870 060 2550
http://www.uksp.co.uk/ (careers information)
London
W1B 1DE
Tel: 020 7580 2731
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning advisor at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Full-time starting salaries for waiting staff can be around £10,000 to £12,000 a year.
- With experience, it is possible to earn between £14,000 and £19,000.
Many waiters and waitresses are paid by the hour. Income may be increased by tips.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You are likely to work shifts including evenings, weekends and public holidays.
Restaurants and kitchens can be hot, humid, noisy and busy at key meal times. You will need a smart appearance and your employer may provide you with a uniform.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent customer service skills
- an interest in food and drink
- high standards of personal hygiene
- the ability to remain calm under pressure
- an awareness of health and safety issues
- the ability to memorise orders
- good numeracy skills for dealing with bills and payments
- the ability to lift and carry items such as plates and glasses
- the ability to work on your own and as part of a team.
What opportunities are there?
You will find jobs in hotels, restaurants, cafes, bistros, bars, fast food outlets and contract catering companies throughout the UK and overseas.
You will have greater career prospects in larger organisations with a clear promotion structure, which may provide the opportunity to progress to head waiter or waitress, or restaurant supervisor. Related careers include restaurant and kitchen management and purchasing.
Jobs are advertised in the local press and publications such as The Drinks Business, and Caterer and Hotelkeeper, as well as in Jobcentre Plus.
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