You are in charge of the service side of the restaurant, working in close partnership with the head chef and the kitchen team. Whatever the size and style of restaurant, one of your principal roles will be to look after the customers, greeting as many of them individually as possible, advising them on menu and wine choices, ensuring that they get good service and thanking and bidding them farewell when they leave.

Before customers arrive, you will check that the tables have been laid correctly, and that the restaurant looks welcoming. You will need to brief your team on the day's specials, promotional offers, any VIP guests or large parties expected, and check that everyone knows their tasks. Many restaurants also place great emphasis on selling skills and each service may begin with a briefing to get everyone on top form.

During service, some restaurant managers also hand guests the menu, and return to take their order, advising on the choice of dishes, wines and other drinks. If not, waiting staff will do this, and your job is to keep an eye on all tables, guests and staff, spotting any problems that may arise and dealing with them. Complaints inevitably occur, and you and your staff must act promptly and effectively to ensure matters are put right to the customers' satisfaction - you will need to use your diplomatic skills. A record is usually made of any complaint, accident or other incident, so that investigations can be made should a written complaint arrive some days later.

After service is time to discuss how everything has gone, and which dishes and drinks sold well (or not). Health and safety is a key concern, so is food hygiene, and the impression your staff give through their personal hygiene and presentation.

Time will also be taking up in recruiting new staff, and looking after the well-being of your team, motivating everyone to do their best, helping those whose standard needs improving, and when necessary dealing with unsatisfactory performance. New staff will need to be trained and even the most experienced staff will need to be kept up to date with their skills. You will also be responsible for working out the staff rotas, and will need to plan to ensure that there is plenty of cover available when employees are on holiday.

Budgets, financial and sales reports will also require your attention and comment.

There are 0 different qualifications related to this job. We realise that showing you them all at the same time can be a bit overwhelming, so not to worry we have come up with a filter in order for you to refine the kind of qualifications shown below.

1207 not loaded

Choose the answer relevant to you in each column and we'll only show the qualifications that match.

Residence

• 
• 
• 
• 
• All

Career

• Pre Employment Training
• Safe and Legal
• Workforce Development
• Progression
• All

Type

• Customer Services
• Management & Leadership
• General Craft
• Apprenticeship
• All

Duration

• Day
• Week
• Month
• Year
• All

• Work with food and/or drink

There are currently no comments

Please note that all comments are reviewed before they are posted onto the site.

Info about case studies