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Cook/server vs beverage server

The differences between cook/servers and beverage servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cook/server has an average salary of $29,716, which is higher than the $25,886 average annual salary of a beverage server.

The top three skills for a cook/server include customer service, customer orders and safety standards. The most important skills for a beverage server are drink orders, guest service, and beverage orders.

Cook/server vs beverage server overview

Cook/ServerBeverage Server
Yearly salary$29,716$25,886
Hourly rate$14.29$12.45
Growth rate14%10%
Number of jobs257,58279,100
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age2328
Years of experience--

What does a cook/server do?

Cooks/servers are employees who take on the dual role of being a cook and a server in the restaurant. They are usually trained cooks who are in charge of preparing meals for the guests. They prepare ingredients, cook them according to the recipe, and serve them to guests. They are responsible for ensuring that the food is prepared and served to guests within the promised time. They are in charge of managing the pantry, ensuring that the stock is fresh, and checking whether the stock is low. They are expected to have culinary skills, precision, and time management skills.

What does a beverage server do?

A beverage server specializes in mixing and preparing drinks, serving them to customers courteously. Their responsibilities also include greeting the customers, taking orders, answering inquiries, offering recommendations when necessary, and checking the customers' identification to confirm their ages. They may also provide assistance to managers by monitoring beverage inventories, receiving and unloading deliveries, organizing supplies and equipment, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. Moreover, as a beverage server, it is essential to have a clear communication line with co-workers for smooth work operations.

Cook/server vs beverage server salary

Cook/servers and beverage servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cook/ServerBeverage Server
Average salary$29,716$25,886
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $20,000 And $33,000
Highest paying CityBellingham, WA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyThe Harley School-
Best paying industryRetail-

Differences between cook/server and beverage server education

There are a few differences between a cook/server and a beverage server in terms of educational background:

Cook/ServerBeverage Server
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cook/server vs beverage server demographics

Here are the differences between cook/servers' and beverage servers' demographics:

Cook/ServerBeverage Server
Average age2328
Gender ratioMale, 45.9% Female, 54.1%Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 8.3% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between cook/server and beverage server duties and responsibilities

Cook/server example responsibilities.

  • Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
  • Assist customers, bag groceries, replenish carts, and clean store.
  • Pay close attention to detail while multitasking between communicating over the intercom, utilizing the POS, and order placing.
  • Make smoothies, coffee, customer service, cashier, fill bakery cooler, inventory, stock, and clean!
  • Operate the filtration system used for the fryers to keep all sanitation guidelines up to standards as per the health department.
  • Operate, and maintain clean and safe cooking equipment like pressure cooker deep fryers, plate grills, and deep fryers.
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Beverage server example responsibilities.

  • Open and close the register, provide credit card and cash reports, and batches on POS.
  • Learned more about different liquor, cocktails and wine, drink mixes and special drink of the month.
  • Work with large amounts of cash as well as credit cards, and knowledge of the POS system.
  • Present menus to guest, answer and give information about menu items such as wine selections to pair with meal.
  • Maintain cleanliness in assign section utilizing a silent service approach.
  • Supervise daily operations to ensure food safety, product preparation, cleanliness standards are maintain.
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Cook/server vs beverage server skills

Common cook/server skills
  • Customer Service, 41%
  • Customer Orders, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Food Preparation, 5%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 4%
  • POS, 4%
Common beverage server skills
  • Drink Orders, 10%
  • Guest Service, 9%
  • Beverage Orders, 8%
  • Exceptional Guest, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 5%
  • Professional Appearance, 5%

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