How to Be Restaurant Dining Room Attendant - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 12, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Dining Room Attendants are essential employees in a restaurant, as they are responsible for creating an enjoyable dining experience for customers. Their duties include setting tables, taking orders, and delivering food and beverages. If these tasks are not completed properly by the Attendant, customers may become dissatisfied and not return to the restaurant, resulting in a decrease in profits.

if the Attendant fails to adhere to health and safety protocols, there could be a risk of contamination or food-borne illnesses, leading to lawsuits and other legal issues. Therefore, it is essential that Restaurant Dining Room Attendants take their job seriously and ensure that all tasks are completed properly and efficiently.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers prefer or require applicants to have at least a high school degree or equivalent.
Obtain formal training and/or experience in the restaurant industry. Some employers prefer applicants who have formal training in food service, hospitality and customer service. Others may prefer applicants with experience working in a restaurant setting.
Gain experience as a server, busser or other customer service roles. Working as a server, busser or other customer service role in a restaurant setting provides an opportunity to learn the basics of restaurant dining and customer service.
Complete on-the-job training. Most employers provide on-the-job training for new restaurant dining room attendants. Training typically includes instruction on customer service, menu items, food safety, sanitation, and other duties associated with the position.
Obtain professional certification. Depending on the state and local regulations, restaurant dining room attendants may be required to obtain professional certification in food safety or sanitation. Certification programs usually require a fee and successful completion of an exam.

The ideal and qualified Restaurant Dining Room Attendant must possess a variety of skills and qualities in order to be successful in the job. They must have excellent interpersonal and customer service skills to ensure that all guests receive the best possible dining experience. They should also have the ability to multi-task, manage time effectively, and work well under pressure.

they should have a passion for food and hospitality, be detail-oriented, organized, and able to work independently. Finally, they should have a good understanding of health and safety regulations in order to ensure that the restaurant is compliant with health standards. All of these skills and qualities combined will ensure that the Restaurant Dining Room Attendant can provide the best possible service to guests.

You may want to check Restaurant Counter Server, Restaurant Cleaner, and Restaurant Kitchen Supervisor for alternative.

Job Description

Greet customers and provide them with menus.
Take orders from customers in a polite and courteous manner.
Ensure that all orders are accurate and served promptly.
Deliver food and drinks to tables.
Clear away finished dishes and reset tables for the next customers.
Maintain cleanliness of the dining room, including wiping down tables and chairs, sweeping and mopping floors, and restocking condiments, utensils, and other items.
Communicate with kitchen staff to ensure that orders are prepared correctly and on-time.
Refill drinks and other beverages as needed.
Answer customer questions about menu items, ingredients, and prices.
Process payments and provide change as needed.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of food safety and sanitation procedures
Ability to take orders accurately and efficiently
Proficient in customer service and communication
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work well with others in a team setting
Ability to remain calm under pressure
Familiarity with restaurant operations and processes
Ability to multi-task and prioritize duties
Knowledge of proper cash handling procedures
Knowledge of food and beverage menus

Being a restaurant dining room attendant requires a variety of skills in order to be successful. One of the most important skills to have is great customer service. Having an outgoing and friendly attitude can make a huge difference in how customers perceive their overall experience.

Being able to anticipate customer needs and provide assistance in a timely manner is key. having strong organizational skills is important because dining room attendants must be able to keep tables and other areas organized and clean. Finally, being able to multitask and stay focused on the task at hand is essential, as dining room attendants are often given a variety of tasks to complete simultaneously.

having these qualities will allow a dining room attendant to make their customers feel welcome and comfortable, which in turn will create repeat customers and positive reviews.

Restaurant Food Safety Manager, Restaurant Assistant Cook, and Restaurant Bus Person are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in a restaurant dining room setting?
How would you handle a customer complaint in a professional manner?
How do you ensure customer satisfaction when seating guests?
What skills make you an ideal dining room attendant?
Describe a time when you had to multitask and handle several tasks at once in the dining room.
What strategies do you use to maintain a clean and well-organized dining room?
How do you handle a situation where a customer requests a special accommodation?
Describe the steps you take to greet and seat guests in a courteous and timely manner.
What do you find most rewarding about working in a restaurant dining room setting?
How do you ensure that all dining room staff adhere to safety and sanitation guidelines?

Common Tools in Industry

Tray Cart. A wheeled cart used to transport and serve food in a restaurant dining room, (eg: Delivering trays of food to tables).
Plate Covers. Covers that are placed over food to keep it hot while it is waiting to be served, (eg: Placing plate covers over dishes on the tray cart).
Coffee Maker. A machine used to brew coffee, (eg: Making fresh pots of coffee in the dining room).
Table Cloths. Cloths that are draped over tables in a restaurant dining room, (eg: Setting tables with tablecloths).
Utensils. Eating utensils such as forks, knives, spoons, etc. , (eg: Setting tables with utensils).
Pitchers. A container used to pour drinks such as water or juice, (eg: Filling up pitchers with water for tables).
Cleaning Supplies. Supplies such as sponges, towels, and cleaning solutions used to clean tables and floors, (eg: Wiping down tables after customers leave).
Cash Register. A machine used to keep track of sales, (eg: Inputting orders into the cash register).

Professional Organizations to Know

National Restaurant Association
National Association of Dining Room Professionals
American Culinary Federation
International Foodservice Executives Association
Professional Association of Innkeepers International
Club Managers Association of America
American Hotel & Lodging Association
International Foodservice Distributors Association
National Association of Catering Executives
International Foodservice Manufacturers Association

We also have Restaurant Cocktail Server, Restaurant Delivery Person, and Restaurant Cashier jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Host/Hostess. A restaurant employee who greets and seats customers in the dining room.
Server. A restaurant employee who takes orders, serves food, and handles payment from customers.
Busser. A restaurant employee who clears and resets tables after customers have finished their meals.
Waiter/Waitress. A restaurant employee who takes orders, serves food, and handles payment from customers.
Food Runner. A restaurant employee who delivers food to the tables in the dining room.
Bartender. A restaurant employee who serves drinks and manages the bar area of a restaurant.
Kitchen Staff. A collective term for all the employees working in the kitchen of a restaurant, including chefs, cooks, dishwashers, and servers.
Menu Knowledge. The knowledge of a restaurants menu items, including ingredients and preparation methods.
Plate Presentation. The arrangement of food on a plate in an aesthetically pleasing way.
Cleanliness. Maintaining a high level of cleanliness in the dining room, including wiping down tables, sweeping floors, and cleaning up spills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the duties of a Restaurant Dining Room Attendant? A1: The primary responsibilities of a Restaurant Dining Room Attendant include greeting and seating guests, taking orders, delivering food and beverages, clearing tables, and resetting them for the next guests. Q2: How many tables can a Restaurant Dining Room Attendant typically serve at once? A2: A Restaurant Dining Room Attendant can typically serve up to 5 tables at once. Q3: What knowledge and skills are necessary for a Restaurant Dining Room Attendant? A3: Knowledge and skills necessary for a Restaurant Dining Room Attendant include customer service, basic food safety, familiarity with food and beverage menus, and knowledge of POS systems. Q4: What qualifications are required to become a Restaurant Dining Room Attendant? A4: Qualifications typically required to become a Restaurant Dining Room Attendant include a high school diploma or equivalent and experience in a customer service role. Q5: What other responsibilities are associated with the role of a Restaurant Dining Room Attendant? A5: Additional responsibilities associated with the role of a Restaurant Dining Room Attendant include restocking items, cleaning and organizing the dining room, and providing customer service to guests when needed.