What Do Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants 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. They also run cash registers.

Other tasks include:

• Wipe tables or seats with dampened cloths or replace dirty tablecloths.
• Set tables with clean linens, condiments, or other supplies.
• Locate items requested by customers.
• Scrape and stack dirty dishes and carry dishes and other tableware to kitchens for cleaning.
• Perform serving, cleaning, or stocking duties in establishments, such as cafeterias or dining rooms, to facilitate customer service.
• Carry food, dishes, trays, or silverware from kitchens or supply departments to serving counters.

We asked Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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39% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 33% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants wipe tables or seats with dampened cloths or replace dirty tablecloths. They scrape and stack dirty dishes and carry dishes and other tableware to kitchens for cleaning.

A typical day for a Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper will also include:

• Carry trays from food counters to tables for cafeteria patrons.
• Mix and prepare flavors for mixed drinks.
• Garnish foods and position them on tables to make them visible and accessible.
• Serve ice water, coffee, rolls, or butter to patrons.
• Clean and polish counters, shelves, walls, furniture, or equipment in food service areas or other areas of restaurants and mop or vacuum floors.

We asked some Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	34% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	68% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	75% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	54% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	27% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	51% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants also stock refrigerating units with wines or bottled beer or replace empty beer kegs. They may also carry linens to or from laundry areas.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants Stock vending machines with food. They might also Replenish supplies of food or equipment at steam tables or service bars.

In addition, they Run cash registers.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Wash glasses or other serving equipment at bars.

To some Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants, it is also their responsibility to Serve food to customers when waiters or waitresses need assistance.

Working life

Less than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/food-preparation-and-serving/food-and-beverage-serving-and-related-workers.htm

http://www.restaurant.org/

http://www.restaurant.org/