Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

What the job really is

Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.

At a glance

• Sector: Food Preparation & Serving
• O*NET-SOC code: 35-3041
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions.
• Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities.
• Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed.
• Examine trays to ensure that they contain required items.
• Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments.
• Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled.
• Monitor food preparation or serving techniques to ensure that proper procedures are followed.
• Remove trays and stack dishes for return to kitchen after meals are finished.
• Carry food, silverware, or linen on trays or use carts to carry trays.
• Record amounts and types of special food items served to customers.
• Stock service stations with items, such as ice, napkins, or straws.
• Prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, or beverages.

Tools and technology

Facebook, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Windows, 10-key calculators, Blenders, CBORD Nutrition Service Suite, Capital Codeworks MenuMax, Carbonated beverage dispensers, Carving knives, Chefs' knives, Commercial coffeemakers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
• Fast Food and Counter Workers
• Waiters and Waitresses
• Food Preparation Workers
• Dishwashers
• Cooks, Restaurant
• Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.