Food Runner / Server Assistant

DEPARTMENT:
Front of House

REPORTING INTO:
Floor Manager/ General Manager

PLACE OF WORK:
Ambassadors Club House, 1245 Broadway, New York NY 10001

(short walk from all train lines at Penn Station and Herald Sq)

JOB OVERVIEW:
A FOH Support person is a combination of Food Runner and Server Assistant. If you are food running you are a critical link between the kitchen and dining room, ensuring the precise and timely delivery of food to guests. If you are Server Assistant, you are providing detail-oriented and anticipatory support to the service team to create a high level, hospitality focused guest experience. This role demands knowledge of the menu, table mapping, and coordination with both culinary and service teams to uphold seamless service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Assist in opening and closing procedures to prepare the restaurant for service and maintain cleanliness and organization throughout.
• Deliver plated food, mis en place and required items for service from the kitchen to the appropriate guest seat with accuracy and efficiency.
• Confirm with Expeditor and Chef on duty that each dish is complete, garnished, and meets plating standards before leaving the kitchen.
• Announce each dish clearly and professionally to guests, using proper menu terminology with priority for guest allergens.
• Ensure correct seat numbers are observed for each course and dietary accommodation.
• Return dirty dishes and silverware to the kitchen efficiently to facilitate smooth turnover and maintain a clean dining environment.
• Coordinate with Polishers to ensure all mise en place are sufficiently stocked in all stations before, during and afte service.
• Manage table turns by clearing and resetting tables promptly to optimize seating capacity while maintaining a high standard of guest experience.
• Conduct mise en place tasks to prepare for service, ensuring all necessary items are readily available for efficient operation.
• Keep back-of-house areas, corridors, and drop-off areas clear and tidy to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for guests and staff.
• Provide attentive and courteous service to guests, communicating confidently and professionally to address their needs and inquiries.
• Complete relevant checklists and adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain consistency and quality in service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and health & safety practices, policies, and procedures, including allergen regulations.
• Take a proactive approach to customer service, anticipating guests' needs and preferences to enhance their dining experience.
• Attend briefings, meetings, and training sessions to stay informed about menu offerings, service protocols, and industry best practices.
• Report any health & safety issues or faulty equipment to front of house management promptly for resolution.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Minimum (2) years in an upscale restaurant or similar position
• Good time-management and teamwork skills
• Pride in appearance.
• Proactive in learning about food, beverage and wine.
• Warm and professional in communicating with guests.
• Constantly strive to improve personal and professional development.
• Must be able to stand or walk for extended periods of time and lift up to 50 lbs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that are to be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be ALL responsibilities or qualifications of the job.

JKS Restaurants (dba: Ambassadors Clubhouse) is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.