Food Runner job description

A Food Runner is responsible for delivering food orders from the kitchen to customers' tables promptly and accurately, ensuring meals are presented correctly and served with attention to detail. This role is vital for maintaining efficient restaurant operations and enhancing the overall dining experience by bridging kitchen efficiency with customer satisfaction.

Briefcase
Hiring for this role?
POST THIS JOB FOR FREE
Arrow
Folder Search
Find more suitable candidates for this role ?
TRY FOR FREE
Arrow

What is a Food Runner?

A Food Runner is a front-of-house restaurant staff member who specializes in transporting prepared meals from the kitchen to the appropriate tables. Unlike servers, Food Runners typically do not take orders but focus on ensuring timely and precise delivery, verifying order accuracy, and assisting with table setup. They act as a critical link between the kitchen and dining area, supporting seamless service flow and contributing to a positive guest experience through prompt and organized food presentation.

What does a Food Runner do?

Food Runners primarily deliver food orders from chefs to guests, confirming that each dish matches the ticket specifications and is presented as intended. They coordinate with servers and kitchen staff to prioritize orders, manage timing, and address any immediate issues like incorrect items or missing components. Additionally, Food Runners may assist with side tasks such as refilling beverages, clearing empty plates, and maintaining cleanliness in service areas. Their efficiency helps reduce wait times, supports kitchen productivity, and ensures customers receive meals hot and as expected.

Job Overview

Food Runners are essential team members in restaurant operations, responsible for efficiently delivering food from the kitchen to guests' tables while maintaining quality and presentation standards. This role requires excellent coordination with kitchen staff and servers, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment to ensure timely and accurate food delivery.

Food Runner responsibilities include:

1. Deliver food orders from kitchen to designated tables promptly and accurately 2. Verify order accuracy and presentation before serving guests 3. Coordinate with servers and kitchen staff to ensure proper timing of food delivery 4. Maintain cleanliness and organization of service areas and dining stations 5. Assist in bussing tables and resetting for new guests when necessary 6. Communicate special requests or dietary restrictions to appropriate staff 7. Monitor food temperature and quality during transport 8. Respond to guest inquiries about menu items and preparation methods
Want to generate an attractive job description?

Must-Have Requirements

1. High school diploma or equivalent 2. Previous experience in food service or restaurant environment 3. Ability to lift and carry trays weighing up to 30 pounds 4. Basic knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards 5. Excellent communication and teamwork skills 6. Ability to work in fast-paced, high-pressure environments 7. Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays 8. Physical stamina to stand and walk for extended periods

Preferred Qualifications

1. 1+ years of experience as food runner or similar role in full-service restaurant 2. Food handler certification from accredited program 3. Familiarity with POS systems and kitchen display systems 4. Experience in high-volume restaurant operations (200+ covers per shift) 5. Knowledge of various cuisine types and menu terminology 6. Previous experience in fine dining establishments 7. Multilingual abilities, particularly Spanish 8. Customer service training or certification

Bonus Skills

1. Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) qualification 2. Experience with allergy awareness and special dietary requirements 3. Knowledge of wine and beverage pairings 4. Ability to assist with expo station and plate quality control 5. Familiarity with restaurant reservation systems (OpenTable, Resy) 6. Experience training new team members 7. Knowledge of inventory management and stock rotation 8. Crisis management skills for handling service disruptions

Are you ready to innovate your recruitment process?

Join thousands of leading companies and experience the next generation of intelligent recruitment

No credit card required | 7-day full-featured trial | Dedicated customer support

Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions, answered

Everything you need to know about TalentSeek and how itcan transform your hiring process.

What is TalentSeek

toggle

TalentSeek is an AI-powered global recruitment platform designed to make hiring talent worldwide faster, smarter, and more affordable. Powered by advanced AI Agents, TalentSeek helps companies effortlessly connect with top professionals across borders — breaking human network limits and reducing hiring costs. Start hiring globally with ease. One platform, endless talent.

Who can use TalentSeek ?

toggle

TalentSeek is built for recruiters. If you are searching for Global Talent or hard-to-find talent, TalentSeek is a fit for you. We work with companies ranging from Fortune 500 to boutique recruiting agencies — and hopefully, you too.

What distinguishes TalentSeek from other recruitment tools?

toggle

TalentSeek is an AI-driven global recruitment platform that enables real-time searching of over 900 million job seekers across more than 200 countries and regions. This platform empowers companies to effortlessly connect with top professionals beyond borders, breaking the limitations of personal networks and reducing hiring costs.

Does TalentSeek have access to global candidate data?

toggle

Yes. TalentSeek has 900 million profiles across the globe from dozens of data sources. Covers over 200 countries and regions worldwide.We continue to add region-specific sources to enhance global coverage.

Is there a free trial available for TalentSeek?

toggle

Yes. To get started, use the "Start for Free" button to open the platform. Then, sign up or log in to access your account.