Unit Group

6513 Food and beverage servers

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

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

Main 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 patrons' meals

• Serve food and beverages

• Prepare and serve specialty foods at patrons' tables

• Present bill to patrons and accept payment

• Order and maintain inventory of wines and wine glassware

• Perform sensory evaluation of wines.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school may be required.

• Formal waiters/waitresses may require completion of a one- or two-year apprenticeship program
  or
  College or vocational school courses.

• Apprenticeship training programs for food and beverage servers are available in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Trade certification is available but voluntary in those provinces.

• On-the-job training is usually provided.

• Wine stewards may require courses in wine selection and service
  or
  Experience as a captain waiter/waitress or formal waiter/waitress.

• Responsible beverage service certification is usually required for employees serving alcoholic beverages.

Classified elsewhere

• Food service supervisors (6311)
• Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses (6511)
• Restaurant and food service managers (0631)

Classification Structure - 6