What does a caterer/server do?

Caterer/server responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real caterer/server resumes:
- Experience caterer, providing services from assembling full-service buffets to serving guests at outside catering events and private parties at restaurants.
- Handle cash and credit transactions accurately through the provided POS system
- Perform accurate POS system transactions for in-seat patrons; beverage and alcohol orders.
- Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of assign stations and service areas.
- Experience training new employees, working as a server, service bartending, as well as catering large events.
- Inventory control, stocking food and beverage trail, planning events, bartending, catering, and serving guest at parties.
- Serve at banquets and buffets, assist in set up and tear down of events, dish washing, food prep.
- Maintain kitchen sanitation and cleanliness.
- Provide education on wine and food-pairing suggestions as well as ensuring compliance with regulations regarding services and accommodations.
- Provide guests with an excellent dining experience by asking questions about allergies or preferences and initiating conversation for customer confidence.
- Uphold the highest level of Marriott hospitality service while adhering to all standards for food and beverage.
- Follow health, safety, food handling, and responsible alcohol service standards according to Marriott employee policies.
- Build relationships with guests -help prepare for restaurant opening -Maintain restaurant at all times -Persuasive- positive use of upselling techniques
Caterer/server skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Caterer/Servers are proficient in Customer Service, Food Service, and Wine. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Communication skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Caterer/Servers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 11%
Managed front house and back restaurant operations in a high volume environment while continuously providing excellent customer service.
- Food Service, 9%
Provided banquet services in team environment which included parking, inventory counts, food service, sales, and cooking assistance.
- Wine, 8%
Provided education on wine and food-pairing suggestions as well as ensuring compliance with regulations regarding services and accommodations.
- Exceptional Guest, 7%
Provide exceptional guest service for catered events on and off The University of Montana campus.
- Cleanliness, 7%
Maintained my assigned sections cleanliness.
- Work Ethic, 7%
Exhibited excellent work ethic by continually checking on the tables assigned to for the event.
Common skills that a caterer/server uses to do their job include "customer service," "food service," and "wine." You can find details on the most important caterer/server responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a caterer/server to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "waiters and waitresses must record customers’ orders accurately." Caterer/servers often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "catered several fine dining events - seminars, weddings, meetings team oriented communicated with team consistently. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling caterer/server duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "waiters and waitresses must listen to customers, ask questions as needed, and relay information to the kitchen staff so that orders are prepared to the customers’ satisfaction." According to a caterer/server resume, here's how caterer/servers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "maintained excellent customer service in fast-paced environment, establishing strong communication skills and attention to detail. "
Customer-service skills. This is an important skill for caterer/servers to perform their duties. For an example of how caterer/server responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "waiters and waitresses are frontline workers for their restaurant." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a caterer/server: "familiarized guests with menu and daily specials, accurately recording food and drink orders running meals and tallying bills. ".
Physical strength. For certain caterer/server responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a caterer/server rely on this skill, as "waiters and waitresses need to be able to lift and carry trays of food or other items." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what caterer/servers do: "strengthened interpersonal skills through a dedication to customer service advanced communication skills through face-to-face interactions with customers and supervisors. "
The three companies that hire the most caterer/servers are:
- Compass Group USA37 caterer/servers jobs
- Delaware North18 caterer/servers jobs
- Aramark17 caterer/servers jobs
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Caterer/server vs. Waitstaff
The waitstaff takes responsibility for tasks like recommending dishes based on the tastes and preferences of guests, accepting payments, and taking orders. Waitstaff delivers food to tables, ensures outstanding guest experience, and accepts payments. They work with diligence to get outstanding service quality and work with the other staff. It is part of their job to show customers their seats and provide menu options. They attend to tables for food service and guarantee cleanliness standard compliance.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a caterer/server are more likely to require skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "safety standards," and "beverage service." On the other hand, a job as a waitstaff requires skills like "beverage orders," "culinary," "team work," and "meal orders." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Waitstaffs earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $26,991. On the other hand, caterer/servers are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $35,953.waitstaffs tend to reach similar levels of education than caterer/servers. In fact, waitstaffs are 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Caterer/server vs. Server and hostess
A server and hostess is an employee who plays the dual role of both a hostess and a server. As implied by this, a server and hostess is in-charge of welcoming guests as they enter the restaurant, ensuring that the guests' tables are ready before leading them to their assigned tables, handing over the menu, and waiting for the guests to finalize their order. Once the guests are ready to order, the server and hostess takes on the server role by bringing the guests' order to the kitchen, waiting for the food to be ready, and bringing the food to the guests' table.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, caterer/server responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "wine," "exceptional guest," "cleanliness," and "work ethic." Meanwhile, a server and hostess has duties that require skills in areas such as "food preparation," "to-go orders," "seat guests," and "beverage orders." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Server and hostesses may earn a lower salary than caterer/servers, but server and hostesses earn the most pay in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $26,585. On the other hand, caterer/servers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,953.In general, server and hostesses achieve similar levels of education than caterer/servers. They're 1.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Caterer/server vs. Dining room server
A dining room server performs various tasks to give patrons a positive dining experience. Their job usually entails greeting customers and presenting the menu, taking their orders, answering inquiries, recommending products and other services, serving drinks and food, and handling concerns professionally and courteously. They are also responsible for coordinating with cashiers and kitchen staff, cleaning and preparing tables for new customers, and assisting staff as needed. In some establishments, a dining room server may also participate in preparing drinks or ingredients, monitoring supply inventories, and collecting payments.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a caterer/server is likely to be skilled in "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "sanitation policies," and "safety standards," while a typical dining room server is skilled in "beverage orders," "food handling," "senior care," and "meal service."
Dining room servers earn the best pay in the hospitality industry, where they command an average salary of $29,758. Caterer/servers earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $35,953.Most dining room servers achieve a similar degree level compared to caterer/servers. For example, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Caterer/server vs. Server/barista
A server/barista is someone who makes and serves beverages and foods, such as coffee, tea, and sandwiches or baked goods. He/She or she should be able to explain menu items to customers to ensure customer satisfaction. Other responsibilities include knowing food and beverage quality controls and updating displays to attract customers. The core skills that a server/barista should possess include excellent listening and communication skills and the ability to cope up with a physically demanding work environment. A candidate with a high school diploma or equivalent could qualify for the position.
Types of caterer/server
Updated January 8, 2025











