Expo​/Food Runner

Description

Job Title: Expo / Food Runner

Department: Restaurant Operations

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly

Reports To: Restaurant Management

Location: Assigned Hog Island Restaurant Location

Works with: Restaurant Management, Servers, Hosts, Kitchen Team, Bar Team, Bussers, and Dishwashers

Hog Island Oyster Co. is one of the nation's leading producers of sustainable shellfish and a pioneer in bay-to-bar dining. With oyster farms on Tomales Bay and Humboldt Bay, restaurants throughout Northern California, retail operations, tours, events, and e-commerce partnerships, we're committed to creating exceptional guest experiences while protecting the environment and supporting our communities.

We strive to cultivate a great farm-to-plate experience. We help and take care of each other, our guests, our communities, and our planet - and we have a lot of fun doing it.

The Expo / Food Runner is the essential link between the kitchen and dining room. This position coordinates the timing and sequence of completed dishes, checks food for accuracy, quality, presentation, and special instructions, and delivers each dish promptly to the correct guest. Success in this role requires clear communication, sound food-safety judgment, strong attention to detail, and a calm sense of urgency during busy service.

Expo and Quality Coordination

• Review paper and/or digital kitchen tickets and coordinate the timing and sequence of dishes leaving the kitchen.
• Verify that each dish is complete and matches the ticket, including the correct table or seat, modifiers, allergy alerts, presentation, and appropriate service temperature.
• Communicate promptly and respectfully with kitchen and service team members about order status, delays, missing items, substitutions, allergies, and special requests.
• Prioritize and organize completed dishes so food is run promptly, safely, and in the intended sequence.
• Never guess about ingredients, allergens, or preparation methods; follow HIOC allergen procedures and promptly involve a manager or designated kitchen leader when clarification is needed.

Food Running and Guest Service

• Deliver food to the correct table and guest promptly, accurately, and courteously while safely carrying and balancing plates, trays, and service items.
• Announce dishes and provide accurate menu and oyster information within the scope of completed training.
• Respond to reasonable guest requests while at the table and promptly relay questions, concerns, or additional needs to the appropriate server or manager.
• Maintain awareness of guests, coworkers, and travel paths to prevent spills, collisions, burns, and other service hazards.
• Support HIOC guest-service standards and help create a welcoming, inclusive, and fun experience.

Sanitation, Safety, and Team Support

• Keep the expo line clean, organized, and stocked with necessary plateware, utensils, condiments, and garnishes.
• Complete assigned opening, closing, and side-work duties accurately and on time.
• Follow all applicable food-safety, handwashing, sanitation, illness-reporting, allergen, cross-contact, and workplace-safety requirements.
• Immediately report spills, broken glass, damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, injuries, and food-safety concerns to restaurant management.
• Work collaboratively with front-of-house and back-of-house team members and assist with related restaurant duties within the scope of the position.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, consistent with the general nature of the position and applicable law.

*** This position requires weekend availability***

• Ability to read and accurately interpret kitchen tickets, table and seat numbers, menu information, modifiers, and allergen notices.
• Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with guests and coworkers and to understand job-related safety, allergen, and service information in the language(s) used for those essential duties.
• Strong attention to detail, sense of urgency, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities during high-volume service.
• Guest-focused, team-oriented approach with patience, composure, and dependable follow-through.
• Working knowledge of food sanitation and safety practices, or ability to learn and consistently follow HIOC procedures.
• Regular and reliable attendance and punctuality, with the ability to work assigned shifts that may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, consistent with…