Occupation

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Human Advantage 67%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.9 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Facilitate food service. Clean tables; remove dirty dishes; replace soiled table linens; set tables; replenish supply of clean linens, silverware, glassware, and dishes; supply service bar with food; and serve items such as water, condiments, and coffee to patrons.

Also Known As: Banquet Houseperson, Banquet Set Up Person, Bar Attendant, Bar Back, Barback, Barmaid, Bartender Helper, Beverage Server +52 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Run cash registers.
  2. Serve ice water, coffee, rolls, or butter to patrons.
  3. Scrape and stack dirty dishes and carry dishes and other tableware to kitchens for cleaning.
  4. Wipe tables or seats with dampened cloths or replace dirty tablecloths.
  5. Set tables with clean linens, condiments, or other supplies.
  6. Greet and seat customers.
  7. Clean up spilled food or drink or broken dishes and remove empty bottles and trash.
  8. Maintain adequate supplies of items, such as clean linens, silverware, glassware, dishes, or trays.
  9. Locate items requested by customers.
  10. Fill beverage or ice dispensers.
  11. Carry food, dishes, trays, or silverware from kitchens or supply departments to serving counters.
  12. Perform serving, cleaning, or stocking duties in establishments, such as cafeterias or dining rooms, to facilitate customer service.
  13. Carry trays from food counters to tables for cafeteria patrons.
  14. Stock cabinets or serving areas with condiments and refill condiment containers.
  15. Serve food to customers when waiters or waitresses need assistance.
  16. Clean and polish counters, shelves, walls, furniture, or equipment in food service areas or other areas of restaurants and mop or vacuum floors.

Supplemental Tasks (7)

  1. Replenish supplies of food or equipment at steam tables or service bars.
  2. Wash glasses or other serving equipment at bars.
  3. Carry linens to or from laundry areas.
  4. Garnish foods and position them on tables to make them visible and accessible.
  5. Mix and prepare flavors for mixed drinks.
  6. Slice and pit fruit used to garnish drinks.
  7. Stock refrigerating units with wines or bottled beer or replace empty beer kegs.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Prepare food, such as sandwiches, for customers.

Education & Training

Job Zone 1 Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
Education: Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Experience: Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
74%
Less than a High School Diploma
22%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
2%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Facebook
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Windows

Software (6)

  • Cafe Cartel Systems
  • Plexis Software Plexis POS
  • RestaurantPlus PRO

Tools & Equipment (17)

  • Blenders
  • Carbonated beverage dispensers
  • Cash registers
  • Chefs' knives
  • Commercial coffeemakers
  • Commercial dishwashers
  • Commercial microwave ovens
  • Food processors
  • Fruit pitters
  • Fruit zesters
  • Garbage disposals
  • Glass washing machines
  • Ice-making machines
  • Juice dispensers
  • Point of sale POS computer terminals
  • Soft-serve ice cream machines
  • Steam tables

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Culinary & Food Services Hospitality, Events, & Tourism

Zone 1
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers You are here
Zone 2
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop 95% match
Zone 3
Chefs and Head Cooks 75% match

Resume Builder

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Related Occupations

Compare skills gap with any of these related roles.

Fast Food and Counter WorkersClosely Related Food Servers, NonrestaurantClosely Related Waiters and WaitressesClosely Related Food Preparation WorkersClosely Related Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopClosely Related Baristas Bartenders Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
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Real Talk

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