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Waiter / Waitress: job description, salary, training
Waiters and Waitresses are essential to the hospitality industry, ensuring top-notch service in restaurants, hotel F&B operations, and pubs. This page provides a detailed Waiter/Waitress job description, including salary ranges, training opportunities, and the latest mission offers from Brigad.
Tasked with serving customers to deliver an exemplary dining experience and facilitating order coordination between the kitchen and bar, Waiters and Waitresses are key members of the front-of-house team.
They typically report to the front-of-house manager or a Restaurant Manager, playing a vital role in maintaining the establishment's service standards.
What is a Waiter or Waitress ?
In any restaurant operation, Waiters and Waitresses keep the day-to-day service running smoothly. Dishes are cooked and prepared in the kitchen. Drinks are poured at the bar.
Without Waiters and Waitresses, orders wouldn’t be taken, there’d be no service, and customers wouldn’t get anything to drink or eat.
In every single restaurant, hotel restaurant, pub, or any other dining establishment with table service (compared to bar service only), it’s Waiters and Waitresses who take the orders, provide a high-quality service, and ensure empty plates and glasses are taken away. It’s also the waiting staff who bring customers bills and take payments.
What does a Waiter or Waitress do ?
Waiters and Waitresses are responsible for seating, taking orders for food and drinks from customers, serving customers, ensuring they’ve got everything they need, alerting kitchens of any allergies, and clearing plates and glasses.
Waiting staff also arrange seating, clean tables, refresh covers, take payments and tips, and help tidy a restaurant at the end of service, ready for the next day.
What is a Commis Waiter ?
A Commis Waiter is an entry-level position in the restaurant industry, often filled by individuals who are new to the field. Their role involves assisting more experienced waitstaff and learning the fundamentals of restaurant service. Commis Waiters may perform tasks such as setting tables, delivering food and beverages to customers, and providing general support to ensure a smooth dining experience.
What's the difference between a Server and Waiter ?
"Server" and Waiter/Waitress" are often used interchangeably and refer to individuals who serve food and beverages in restaurants. However, in some contexts, "Server" may be a more inclusive term that encompasses both waitstaff and other positions in the service industry, such as bartenders or hosts/hostesses. "Waiter" or "Waitress" specifically refers to those who take orders, deliver food, and provide table service. The difference is mainly in terminology and can vary based on regional preferences and the specific language used in different establishments.
What to wear as a Waiter / Waitress ?
Waiters and Waitresses typically wear a professional and uniformed attire to maintain a polished appearance while providing excellent customer service. This attire typically includes a clean and pressed button-up shirt or blouse, dress pants or a skirt, comfortable non-slip shoes, and an apron to protect clothing from spills and stains. Some restaurants may provide specific uniforms or have dress code guidelines, so it's important to adhere to the restaurant's policies regarding attire.
What Qualities Define a Waiter or Waitress ?
Waiting staff need to be comfortable in busy, fast-paced environments, be attentive, be aware of allergies, and proactively ask customers before orders are prepared, and provide excellent customer service every time.
Why choose the position of Waiter or Waitress ?
Getting a job as a waiter/waitress is a great way to get into and progress in the hospitality industry.
It’s also a useful career step that could lead to more senior positions such as Front-of house manager, Restaurant Manager, Food & Beverage Manager, Bar Manager, or even into kitchen team member roles, such as Sous Chef, Chef de Partie, or Head Chef.
What are the working conditions for a Waiter or Waitress ?
Working conditions for Waiters/Waitresses vary depending on the establishment.
Weekend work is often required as that’s when restaurants, pubs, and hotel F&B operations are usually busiest, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Shifts can be anything from 6 to 12 hours.
Typical working hours of a Waiter or Waitress
Shifts for Waiters and Waitresses can be anything from 6 to 12 hours, depending on the establishment, with weekend work a normal part of the job.
That’s normally offset by a team working well together and getting on well with colleagues, and establishments with a great company culture make a big difference to how quickly shifts go.
Brigad can help you achieve a better work-life balance, connecting you with missions that better suit your lifestyle and what you want to earn as a self-employed Waiters/Waitresses.
How to become a Waiter / Waitress ?
Becoming a Waiters/Waitresses either involves on-the-job training (so no experience is needed), or you’ve had experience already, or maybe you’ve worked in customer service and wanted to get into the hospitality industry.
With a few months or years demonstrating you can deliver excellent customer service in a restaurant environment, you could be ready to move up the hospitality sector career ladder.
When you can do all of that and a position becomes available, either in your establishment, somewhere else, or an exciting new Waiters/Waitresses mission through Brigad, it’s time to take the next step in your career.
How to be a good Waiter or Waitress ?
The best way to demonstrate proficiency that can lead to promotions and higher salaries or self-employed missions through Brigad is by doing a great job day in and day out. Provide excellent customer service, earn tips, show you can do the job well, and you can progress further.
During more challenging times for the hospitality sector, excellent customer service by waiting staff can make all the difference to the success of a restaurant, so now is the time to excel and put the work in.
What career progression is possible for a Waiter or Waitress?
Experienced waiting staff are perfectly positioned to apply for more senior positions such as front-of-house manager, Restaurant Manager, Food & Beverage Manager, Bar Manager, or even into kitchen team member roles, such as Sous Chef, Chef de Partie, or Head Chef.
UK Waiters & Waitresses Salary Ranges
The waiter salary in the UK varies depending on factors such as experience, location, and the type of establishment. In London and Birmingham, and nationwide chain restaurants and hotels, Waiters/Waitresses will earn more than working for smaller pubs or restaurants in the countryside.
On average, waiters/waitresses can earn anywhere from £21,000 to £23,000, plus tips.
The latest offers for Waiters & Waitresses across London
If you're a Waiter or Waitress seeking short-term work and flexibility, follow these three simple steps to begin receiving mission proposals:
- Register as self-employed Head Chef before signing up for Brigad.
- Download the app and sign up in minutes; it's free, and there's no commitment required.
- Create and personalize your profile to start receiving mission proposals.
You're free to decide whether to accept or decline them.
How to become a self-employed Waiter or Waitress ?
To become a freelance waiter or waitress, follow these essential steps:
- Register as a Sole Trader with HMRC: This is a crucial first step, requiring minimal paperwork and enabling legal self-employment.
- Obtain a UTR Number from HMRC: Secure your Unique Taxpayer Reference number, necessary for tax purposes and identification as a sole trader.
- Meet Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you're eligible for self-employment in the UK, especially important for non-EU international students who may face restrictions.
- Manage Your Tax Affairs: Be responsible for submitting an annual self-assessment tax return based on your income and expenses.
- Maintain Accurate Financial Records: Keep detailed records of all your income and expenses for tax purposes.
- Understand Tax Obligations: Familiarize yourself with tax bands and VAT requirements as they apply to self-employed professionals.
As a self-employed waiter or waitress, you have the opportunity to explore diverse working options. This includes the ability to combine freelance projects with long-term contracts, providing a varied and dynamic career path. You also enjoy significant work flexibility, allowing you to select your work schedule and locations that best align with your personal goals and preferences.
Additionally, it's important to stay informed by regularly consulting official government resources for any updates or new information related to self-employment.
How to Find a Waiter / Waitress with Brigad?
Restaurants, pubs, hotel food & beverage operations, events, venues, and any establishment serving food and drinks rely heavily on the presence of Waiters and Waitresses.
Whether it's for a wedding, a special evening, or to strengthen your restaurant team, finding dependable waiting staff can sometimes be a challenging task.
Looking to hire waiting staff in London? To find qualified waiting staff with the Brigad app o website, 3 steps are sufficient:
- Create an account on the Brigad app or website (free registration and no commitment)
- Set up your missions in a few clicks specify the required skills, dress code, equipment, duration, payment method, and more.
- Submit your mission and let the algorithm handle the rest!
Once you set up a mission, it's sent to waiters and waitresses with the relevant skills in your area.
When a talent accepts, you'll be notified and can then connect with them directly.
All waiter and waitresses and all other hospitality professionals undergo a strict vetting process to ensure the best match.
UK Companies That Are Hiring Waiters & Waitresses
Trusted by over 10,000 businesses to reinforce their teams, Brigad is widely used by both large groups and independent businesses in every sector of the hospitality industry.
The platform offers a connection with thousands of highly qualified, self-employed hospitality professionals such as waiters and waitresses.
Establishments that employ waiters and waitresses include :
- Cafes and Restaurants
- Bars, Pubs and Clubs
- Brasseries
- Hotels
- Events venues
- Cruise ships