Skip to content

← Occupation guides

35-3031.00 · Task explorer

Waiters and Waitresses: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

Use the skill profile to plan your next practice →

Read the task inventory

This source lists 25 tasks, including 22 marked Core and 3 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2025.

Find a task in this inventory

25 tasks shown

Core · Task 2276 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Collect payments from customers.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2275 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2277 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2279 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2278 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2281 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 18745 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2285 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2280 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 18747 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2283 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2288 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2290 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 18744 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2284 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Inform customers of daily specials.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2287 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 18746 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2292 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2289 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2286 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 2293 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Escort customers to their tables.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 18748 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Supplemental · Task 2291 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Supplemental · Task 2295 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Supplemental · Task 2294 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Describe and recommend wines to customers.

Add to my exploration shortlist

My example, evidence or question

Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

Keep your worksheet

Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.