The following charts describe the different kinds of people who work in a restaurant. The charts display the job titles of each position, as well as the primary responsibilities and requirements for each position. There are separate charts to describe workers in fine dining, casual dining, and fast food restaurants.
Position
Job Description
General Manager
Responsibilities:
- Oversees general restaurant operations
- Oversees P&L statement
- Manages both Front of House(FOH) and Back of House(BOH)
- Hires and manages staff
- Works with Executive Chef on marketing initiatives
Other Requirements:
- College degree typically preferred
- Experience in food service
- Communication skills
- Leadership experience
Assistant General Manager
Responsibilities:
- Oversees general restaurant operations when GM is absent
- Assists with P&L statement
- Assists with hiring and managing staff
- Assists with ordering and keeping inventory
- Often takes on management of the bar area
Other Requirements:
- College degree typically preferred
- Leadership qualities
- Experience in food service work
Executive Chef
Responsibilities:
- Coordinates kitchen work
- Creates recipes
- Creates and adjusts menu
- Monitors and controls food costs and inventory
- Works with GM on marketing initiatives
- Cooks food for large events or special occasions
Other Requirements:
- Creativity
- Culinary background
- Management experience
Chef de Cuisine
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for daily kitchen operations
- Directs and manages line cooks
- Works with Chef to design recipes and create dishes
- Assists with ordering food and keeping inventory
Other Requirements:
- Culinary background
- Leadership experience
Sous Chef
Responsibilities:
- Second to Chef de Cuisine
- Runs the kitchen
- Provides instruction and training to cooks and kitchen staff
Other Requirements:
- Culinary background
- Leadership experience
Chef Garde Manger/Chef de Froid
Responsibilities:
- Oversees pantry and prep work in kitchen
- Directs and instructs pantry chef
- Helps with garnishing and artistic elements during meal preparation
Other Requirements:
Pantry/Prep Cook
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for pantry organization
- Prepares food in the kitchen
- Cleans, cuts, stores and otherwise prepares food for cooking
- Receives direction from chef, cook or pantry chef
Sommelier
Responsibilities:
- Educates patrons about wines
- Suggests wines that are suitable for guests' meals
- Orders and keeps inventory of wines
Other Requirements:
- Has a broad knowledge of wine and food pairings
Expediter or "Expo"
Responsibilities:
- Ensures kitchen orders are prepared in timely manner
- Finalizes the presentation of each plate and ensures the appropriate temperature
- Directs runners or servers to deliver complete orders
Line Cooks
Responsibilities:
- Prepares food in the kitchen
- Works one or more kitchen stations including grill, broil, or fry
- Receives direction from chef or cook
Pastry Chef
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for preparing dough, baked goods, baked desserts
- Often works overnight or in early morning hours
Dishwasher
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for maintaining dishwashing equipment
- Dilutes chemicals for dish machines
- Maintains clean dishes and other wares
- Prevents bottlenecks in kitchen
Maitre D'
Responsibilities:
- Ensures smooth communication between kitchen and dining room
- Directs servers, runners, and oversees dining room experience
- Enhances fine dining experience
- Consults with GM and Executive Chef
Other Requirements:
- Management experience needed
- Knowledge of fine dining etiquette
Server
Responsibilities:
- Attends to guests and takes orders
- Offers information and suggestions about the menu
- Prepares checks and collect payment
Other Requirements:
- Positive attitude
- Ability to handle stressful situations
- Respect and friendliness
Food Runner
Responsibilities:
- Transports food from kitchen to dining room
- Helps expedite orders
- Communicates with servers
- May help clear tables
Bartender
Responsibilities:
- Takes drink orders through servers or directly from guests
- Prepares mixed drinks, pour wine or beer, serve bottled or soft drinks
- May be responsible for ordering and taking inventory
Other Requirements:
- Positive attitude
- Communicates with waitstaff
Busser
Responsibilities:
- Clears tables
- Pours water for guests
Hostess
Responsibilities:
- Greets customers at the door
- Assigns guests to tables
- Provides menus to guests and cleans them afterward
- May schedule reservations
- Answers phone
Position
Job Description
General Manager
Responsibilities:
- Oversees general restaurant operations
- Oversees P&L statement
- Manages both Front of House(FOH) and Back of House(BOH) operations
- Hires and manages staff
- Works on marketing initiatives
Other Requirements:
- College degree typically preferred
- Experience in food service
- Communication skills
- Leadership experience
Assistant General Manager
Responsibilities:
- Often takes on management of the bar area
- Oversees general restaurant operations when GM is absent
- Assists with P&L statement
- Assists with hiring and managing staff
- Assists with ordering and keeping inventory
Other Requirements:
- College degree typically preferred
- Leadership qualities
- Experience in food service work
Cook
Responsibilities:
- Helps create recipes
- Prepares food in the kitchen
- Adept at preparing large quantities of food
- Give direction to line cooks
- May help order food and keep inventory
Short Order Cook
Responsibilities:
- Prepares food in the kitchen
- Prepares several orders at once
- Directs line cooks
Line Cook
Responsibilities:
- Prepares food in the kitchen
- Works one or more kitchen stations including grill, broil, or fry
- Receives direction from cook
Pantry/Prep Cook
Responsibilities:
- Prepares food in the kitchen
- Cleans, cuts, stores and otherwise prepares food for cooking
- Organizes pantry
- Receives direction from chef, cook or pantry chef
Expediter or "Expo"
Responsibilities:
- Ensures kitchen orders are prepared in timely manner
- Finalizes the presentation of each plate and ensures the appropriate temperature
- Directs runners or servers to deliver complete orders
Dishwasher
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for maintaining dishwashing equipment
- Dilutes chemicals for dish machines
- Maintains clean dishes and other wares
- Prevents bottlenecks in kitchen
Server
Responsibilities:
- Attends to guests and takes orders
- Offers information and suggestion about the menu
- Prepare checks and collect payment
Other Requirements:
- Positive attitude
- Ability to handle stressful situations
- Respect and friendliness
Food Runner
Responsibilities:
- Transports food from kitchen to dining room
- Helps expedite orders
- Communicates with servers
- May help clear tables
Bartender
Responsibilities:
- Takes drink orders through servers or directly from guests
- Maintains communication with wait staff
- Prepares mixed drinks, pours wine or beer, serves bottled or soft drinks
- May be responsible for ordering and taking inventory
Busser
Responsibilities:
- Clears tables
- Pours water for guests
Hostess
Responsibilities:
- Greets customers at the door
- Assigns guests to tables
- Provides menus to guests and cleans them afterward
- May schedule reservations
- Answers phones
Position
Job Description
General Manager
Responsibilities:
- Oversees general restaurant operations
- Oversees P&L statement
- Manages both Front of House(FOH) and Back of House(BOH) operations
- Hires and manages staff
- Works on marketing initiatives
Other Requirements:
- College degree typically preferred
- Experience in food service
- Communication skills
- Leadership experience
Shift Manager
Responsibilities:
- Oversees restaurant operations during certain shifts
- Responsible for monitoring cash handling
- Directs kitchen workers and order takers
Drive-thru Operator
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for greeting guests through a headset
- Communicates with guests and takes orders at the counter
- May also act as cashier, handling cash and making change
Order Taker
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for greeting guests
- Communicates with guests and takes orders at the counter
- May also act as cashier, handling cash and making change
Fast-Food Cook
Responsibilities:
- Prepares food in the fast food kitchen
- Grills, fries, bakes and prepares other foods
- May be responsible for packaging food orders
Barista
Responsibilities:
- Works at coffee shops or places specializing in coffee orders
- Responsible for learning recipes and making individual orders
- Often serves customers over a counter
Sandwich Maker
Responsibilities:
- Works at delis, cafés, or specialty shops
- Often assembles sandwiches in front of customers
- May need to slice meat and cheese
- Communicates with order takers or customers directly
Dishwasher
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for maintaining dishwashing equipment
- Dilutes chemicals for dishmachines
- Maintains clean dishes and other wares
- Prevents bottlenecks in kitchen
Cashier
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for taking cash, checks and credit cards
- Makes change for guests
- Works with manager to handle, record and store all cash correctly
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