HOW TO PREPARE A BANQUETTE SERVICE * SERVER RESPONSABILITIES

A banquet server is responsible for preparing the tables and banquet area before guests arrive, effectively serving a number of different dishes and courses to guests during a meal, and clearing the tables and banquet area after the guests depart. Banquets are most often held at hotels, resorts, or private clubs for large events and parties. This means that there may be 100 or more guests to be efficiently and pleasantly served during the course of an event. A banquet server effectively tends to those needs, with duties similar to a restaurant waiter but working in a more team-focused way.

The responsibilities of a banquet server begin before the guests arrive. Prior to the event beginning, servers will prepare the banquet area for the event. This typically involves setting out linens on tables, setting silverware and napkins on the tables, as well as preparing anything else that may eventually be set at the tables, such as salt, pepper, or bread and rolls. While a banquet server will not necessarily cook or prepare any of the food, he or she should become familiar with the menu and the dishes being served to better assist guests with questions about the meal.

During the actual event, a banquet server is responsible for the serving of the various dishes and courses. These are typically served beginning with the women at a table, and serving dishes from the left side of a guest. After a dish is finished, the empty plates or bowls should be removed from the right side so that further dishes can come in from the left. Between courses, banquet servers are often responsible for keeping glasses full of water or any other beverages being served. This continues throughout the meal until the final course has been served and finally cleared away from the tables.

After the guests depart, a banquet server will then work to clear away all dishes or glasses left at the tables. These are brought by the servers to the dish washing stations for dishwashers to clean. A banquet server is then responsible for clearing away anything else from the tables, such as linens or table decorations to finish the event.

Banquet servers typically need to be able to work together to see an entire event successfully completed and ensure the satisfaction of every guest in the room. They often need excellent customer service skills and the ability to multitask to assist multiple guests at any given time. Some employers will also insist that a banquet server be 21 years of age to be able to serve alcoholic beverages to guests, depending on state liquor laws.

What Does a Room Service Server Do?

A room service server may have many different responsibilities. The servers usually report to a room service manager while working. They are expected to restock items, take orders, and deliver those orders to each room at a hotel or lodge. The room service server may also have to help with other areas of the hotel when room service orders are slow. 

When the room service servers begins their shifts, they will most likely have to check in with the manager and then start preparing for the day. Preparation could include restocking the kitchen with food items, condiments, and eating utensils. Most hotel servers have a cart to run the food from room to room, which may need to be restocked as well. 

The hotel guests will call the room service server to place an order. The server will take the food order and hand it off to the kitchen. After the kitchen staff prepares the food, the server will then place it on the cart and deliver the order to the correct room. 

Once the order is delivered to the room, the room service server will go over the order with the hotel guest to be sure it is correct. The server will also take items off the cart and place them neatly on the room table. He is usually expected to be polite and build a good rapport with hotel guests. When guests are done with their food trays, the server is responsible for picking up the dirty dishes and bringing them back to the kitchen. 

Room service employees are also expected to keep the hotel minibars and snack items stocked in each room. If a guest has a special request, the server may also have to fulfill those demands as well. The room service server can also help serve food in the hotel restaurant or bar when it is especially busy. 

Since the room service server has so many duties, he often has to have prior experience to get a job in a hotel. Hotel employers look for people who have customer service skills or have had a job serving customers within the food industry. Servers should also be neat in appearance and have a pleasant attitude with the customers and the other hotel employees.

Room service employees are often paid an hourly wage or yearly salary and receive tips from the hotel guests. A full-time server may be eligible for medical and other benefits offered by the employer. Servers can typically make a good living if they work hard and please their guests. 

Renee de Ramirez MS

Congress, Banquets and Conventions Expert
Look for me on LinkedIn: Renee de Ramirez MS
www.reneederamirez.net