How to hire a fine dining server

How to hire a fine dining server, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fine dining server hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fine dining server job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fine dining server
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The fine dining server hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A fine dining server's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, fine dining servers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of fine dining servers.

   Type of Fine Dining Server	Description	Hourly rate
   Fine Dining Server	Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.	$10-22
   Waitress	Waitresses are responsible for ensuring that guests are given proper attention during their visit to the restaurant. They guide guests to their table, provide menu boards, answer any questions the guests may have, take the guests' order, and communicate the order to the kitchen... Show more	$8-16
   Food Runner	Food Runners are responsible for assisting waitstaff on serving customers at a restaurant or similar establishment. Among their duties include maintaining cleanliness in particular areas, setting tables, refilling drinks, assisting customers with everything that they need, and coordinating with the workforce in and out of the kitchen... Show more	$8-16

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Wine
   • Fine Dining
   • Cleanliness
   • Customer Service
   • Beverage Orders
   • POS
   • Guest Service
   • Food Service
   • Professional Appearance
   • Wine Service
   • Excellent Guest
   • Wine Knowledge
   • Micros
   • Food Orders

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Schedule and prioritize workload while managing multiple tasks as a representative of this distinctive establishment frequent by wine enthusiasts.
   • Maintain Microsoft windows base computer system.
   • Work closely with management to implement new organizational systems to facilitate efficient wine service and inventory.
   • Craft featured cocktails and signature drinks when bartending.
   • Inform chefs if guests have any allergies or other requests.
   • Maintain cleanliness of work areas, china, glass, etc., throughout the day.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your fine dining server job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A fine dining server salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, fine dining servers' average salary in indiana is 48% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fine dining servers earn 55% less than senior-level fine dining servers.
   • Certifications. A fine dining server with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a fine dining server's salary.

   Average fine dining server salary

   $15.45hourly

   $32,140 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level fine dining server salary

   $21,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

4. Writing a fine dining server job description

   A good fine dining server job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a fine dining server job description:

   Fine dining server job description example

   Artists, visionaries, storytellers-that's the Signature Dining team at Disneyland Resort. Under our Culinary Director, Chef Andrew Sutton, our fine dining restaurants offer incredible growth opportunities to develop your skills as a professional chef, culinarian, and craftsman. With access to the best ingredients, our award-winning restaurants set the backdrop for one-of-a-kind experiences that can only be brought to life through our connection to our food.
   
   Cast Members could be working at any of our Theme Parks fine dine dining locations at either Carthay Circle or Club 33.
   
   Signature Fine Dining roles which include Dinner Cook and Specialty Cooks are responsible for execution of all menu categories and specific recipes for all menu items including timing, quality, temperature, portion, and presentation. Cooks at key production stations in the preparation of meats, fish, and poultry by braising, baking, roasting, (oven or rotating spit) and high-level skillet/sauté work required in a fine dining restaurant. Will also partner with Front of House to ensure Cast training/knowledge of product ensuring a smooth operation.
   Signature Fine Dining/Dinner Cook-starting pay rate $19.60
   
   Signature Fine Dining/Specialty Cook-starting pay rate $21.85
   
   Eligible for $1,500 New Hire Bonus Incentive
   
   $1,500 Hiring Bonus (First payment after 90 days = $375 and Second payment after 150 days = $1,125)
   
   To be eligible for the sign-on bonus, Cast Members must be in the position continuously for at least 90 days after hire and be employed by The Walt Disney Company at time of payment. A Cast Member is hired after the successful completion of Disney Traditions or one full day of employment. To be eligible for an incentive bonus after 150 days, cast members must remain employed in the position continuously for at least 150 days and be employed by The Walt Disney Company at the time of payment. Payments will be made approximately two weeks after the 90 and 150-day milestones, respectively. Bonus payments are subject to applicable taxes and other legal withholding. Disputes concerning eligibility to a bonus payment shall be resolved by Disneyland Recruitment in its sole and absolute discretion. The incentives offered herein are subject to change at any time, with or without notice. Cast Members hired prior to October 02, 2022 or after December 31, 2022 will not be eligible for an incentive award.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right fine dining server for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fine dining server job on Zippia to find and recruit fine dining server candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting fine dining servers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fine dining server

   Once you've selected the best fine dining server candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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