Banquet Server

Overview

Prepare coffee breaks, carts, and stations with appropriate food and beverages as stated in Banquet Event Order. Prepare tables, action stations, buffets, service carts, dessert table/carts and cordial carts. Communicate additional meal requirements, allergies, dietary needs, and special requests to the kitchen. Ensure courses are cleared and tables are properly crumbed. Respond to and try to fulfill any special banquet event arrangements. Replenish buffet items to ensure consistency and freshness in presentation. Monitor tableware to ensure it is presentable to guests. Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of assigned station and service areas. Bus tables by removing and separating tableware, plate ware, glassware, and flatware.

Responsibilities

• Serve meals, coffee breaks, receptions, other special functions, as assigned, following standard policies and procedures.
• Explain to guests as requested the menu, major ingredients and preparation methods for each item to be served.
• Maintain cleanliness standards in workstation during service. Constantly patrol assigned station, refilling water and coffee, removing service items and condiments per established policies and procedures.  Check on the guest.
• Use proper in-room clearing and aisle tray breakdown procedures.
• Return all reusable table complements and condiments to be cleaned and refilled.
• Assist in setting up and/or breaking down buffet or other special food service tables, stations and equipment, as needed.
• Set-up, tend, and breakdown banquet bars, as assigned, according to standard policies and procedures.
• Follow all guest check and money-handling procedures when serving a la carte and cash beverage orders.
• Complete any assigned side-work, such as refilling condiments, sorting linen, hanging/storing drapes, cleaning/storing serving equipment, etc.
• Comply with Alberta Servers Intervention Standards and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Set up bars for banquet events. Have them in place at least 15 minutes before the function is scheduled to start.
• Prepare and serve drinks.
• Break down bars at end of function, including proper storage of liquor and fruit and complete cleaning.
• Comply with cash handling procedures, if applicable.
• Correctly and efficiently set up and break down all required banquet event and meeting room arrangements.
• Practice safe handling care and storage of all banquet equipment.
• Maintain cleanliness standards in function room and storage areas.
• Return all equipment not in use to its proper storage area in a clean condition before the end of each shift.
• Check electrical hook-ups for proper working order and tape down all exposed cords for equipment in use.
• Service/freshen all meeting rooms as required, including temperature and room lighting checks.
• Set and tear down limited audio-visual equipment (i.e. flip chart, power connection, house phones at registration desk, etc.)
• Set tables in assigned area according to Banquet Event Order requirements, using:
  • Clean, pressed linen
  • Clean, unspotted silverware
  • Clean china with no chips or cracks
  • Clean unspotted glassware
  • Clean and full table complements (e.g. salt and pepper, sugar, etc.)
• Each associate is expected to carry out, within their capabilities, all reasonable requests by management.
• Follow and serve according to Event Management Operations standards for all services provided.
• Assist with coat check as and when needed.
• Work in the Banquet back aisle as a support to the front-line servers during larger events.
• Follow clean as you go in all work performed.
• To look out for the safety of yourself, co-workers and to follow all Health and Safety requirements in the workplace.
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Must have prior experience as a Banquet Server in a first-class Banquet Operation.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred
• AGLC – Proserve/Protect preferred
• Proven knowledge of proper serving etiquette.
• Customer Service Skills: Servers need proper customer service skills as they have a lot of interaction with guests and must deal with a number of special requests.
• Physical Coordination: The server must have the ability to move food trays effectively across the restaurant floor. Trays loaded with food may be as heavy as 25 lbs.
• Communication Skills: Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are important for the server to communicate effectively to guests, kitchen staff, and food and beverage helpers.
• Able to work as a part of a team.
• Able to work with little supervision.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Enthusiastic and outgoing, positive and upbeat
• Good organization and multi-tasking skills
• Pleasant and accommodating, willing to go the extra mile
• Sincere desire to please
• Sense of urgency and work ethic
• Calm and organized demeanor
• High level of self confidence
• Believes selling is a service
• Believes work can be fun
• Team oriented
• Admits what they don't know and will ask for help
• Appearance standard
• Remains calm under pressure
• Organization and planning
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The ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include nights and weekends, based on business levels. At busy times, food and beverage servers are constantly on their feet and under pressure to serve customers quickly.

WE OFFER

•  A competitive wage and excellent benefits.
• Shuttle service from West Edmonton location.
• All associates participate in our “Circle of Service” program which rewards and empowers individuals who provide outstanding customer service.
• An opportunity to work within a progressive, exciting team environment.
• An opportunity to work with a skilled Management team.