Food Runner

Food runners are an important part of a restaurant staff and serve as assistants to the wait staff. Their main duty is to deliver, or "run" food to tables once a food order has been prepared by the cooks. You may also assist in many other duties when other members of the staff are busy. You will be the last of the staff to see the meal before it reaches the customer, so it's important to know what each dish is supposed to look like, so nothing is missed.

It's also important that the plates are handled carefully and brought out in a timely manner, to ensure optimal food temperature. You will need to know the table numbers and seat numbers to accurately deliver the right food to the right table and correct guest at the table. As a food runner you will also assist other restaurant staff members with duties such as clearing and cleaning tables, maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen and customer areas and returning plates to the kitchen.

Because food runners are responsible carrying food to tables, you must have a moderate level of physical capability. The better shape you are in, the more it will help you when working. Being a food runner can often be hectic and stressful, so it helps to be able to work well under pressure. You could often be on your feet for long periods of time.

It helps to be able to carry up to 50 pounds and go up and down stairs carrying that weight on a tray. As a food runner you may sometimes have to help busboys carry tubs filled with plates out of the dining area. There is a certain degree of squatting and moving around tight spaces, so it helps to be nimble and flexible as well.