Food and Beverage Servers (NOC 6453)

Description

Food and beverage servers take food and beverage orders and serve patrons. They are employed in restaurants, hotels, bars, taverns, private clubs, banquet halls and similar establishments.

Return to top

Example Titles

banquet server
captain waiter/waitress
chief wine steward
cocktail waiter/waitress
food and beverage server
formal service waiter/waitress
waiter/waitress
wine steward

>> View all titles

Return to top

Classified Elsewhere

Bartender (6452)
Maître d'hôtel and Hosts/Hostesses (6451)
Restaurant and Food Service Managers (0631)

Return to top

Duties

Food and beverage servers perform some or all of the following duties:

Greet patrons, present menus, make recommendations and answer questions regarding food and beverages
Take orders and relay to kitchen and bar staff
Recommend wines that complement meals
Serve food and beverages
Prepare and serve specialty foods at patron tables
Present bill to patrons and accept payment
Order and maintain inventory of wines and wine glassware
Perform sensory evaluation of wines.

Return to top

Skills

Waiters and waitresses require the following skills and abilities:

sensitivity to other people's needs and good observation skills,
be able to deal with all kinds of people,
a pleasant personality and a neat and clean appearance,
professional appearance and attitude,
the ability to organize,
time management,
good memory and good communication skills,
physical stamina to be on their feet for long periods and to work quickly,
those who serve alcohol must be 18 years old and should have good judgment and an ability to deal with difficult people,
awareness of food safety and emergency procedures,
be able to work on one's own initiative or as part of a team,be able to work calmly under pressure,
the ability to follow instructions and rules,
arithmetic skills,
knowledge of a second language is sometimes helpful.

Return to top

Employment Requirements

In Manitoba, some employers may require high school completion. On the job training is usually provided.
Waiters and waitresses in formal dining rooms may require extensive experience or specialized training (for example, wine stewards).

Return to top

Terms & Conditions

Food and beverage servers work primarily on their feet and should have reasonable physical stamina for carrying heavy trays and plates of food for extended periods. Food and beverage servers are in continuous contact with customers and need to deal with various personalities, including those that are demanding or difficult. Most food and beverage servers work part-time (65%). Working holidays, evenings and weekends is common.

Food and beverage servers derive their earnings from a combination of hourly wages and tips. Their wage rate and the amount of tips they receive vary with the type of work and establishment. For example, earnings from both wages and tips tend to be higher at fine-dining restaurants and upscale hotels. In some establishments servers contribute some of their tips in a tip pool, which is distributed among other food and beverage service workers and kitchen staff. Food and beverage servers at fast-food outlets are usually paid minimum wage rates and do not receive tips.

Return to top

Earnings

$18,800 per annum - starting

$23,200 per annum - average

$32,300 per annum - high

Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.

Return to top

Education / Training

There are no standard education or training requirements for food and beverage servers. First aid, national occupational certification as a Food and Beverage server, and speaking additional languages are assets.
On the job training is provided. For more formal waiting jobs, extensive experience is required.

The Manitoba Tourism Education Council offers the following programs:

table Service Techniques
suggestive Selling for Food and Beverage Servers
responsible alcohol service
Some high schools in Manitoba offer a program in Food and Hospitality Services.

Return to top

Career Paths

Many waiters and waitresses start in part-time or summer jobs. In larger restaurants, they begin in table clearing, kitchen help or hosting jobs and develop the necessary skills and knowledge by observing more experienced workers.

Progression to supervisory positions, maitre d'hotel, manager in food and beverage service, owner or operator is possible with experience. Additional training may be required.

Return to top

Outlook

Employment prospects for food and beverage servers are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 7,320.

Employment for food and beverage servers is moderately sensitive to economic conditions generally, and their affect on consumer spending and business travel. This is a large occupational group, and there will be frequent job openings due to turnover. The age profile of the occupational workforce is young, with over three quarters being under the age of 30. There are good opportunities for student employment.

Jobs for food and beverage servers are fairly evenly distributed across the province. Employment is concentrated in the Accommodation and Food Services industry (93%).

Return to top