Server Assistant

Company Description: Cafe Yaya is a restaurant in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago, owned and operated by Andrés Clavero and James Beard winning Chef Zachary Engel. The restaurant is a space for community: hospitality professionals, guests, and suppliers will come together and celebrate food and drink in a respectful, friendly, and caring manner.

Overview: The role of a Food Runner & Server Assistant is to assist servers and other Front of House employees in the service of all guests who are patronizing the restaurant, running food, clearing plates, resetting, watering, and any duty that manager on duty task as needed to ensure a seamless guest experience. The Food Runner & Server Assistant will report to the General Manager and Managers (“Managers”) and, at times, the Executive Chef and Sous Chefs (“Chefs”). Above all, the Server Assistant must do all to contribute to a positive work environment as set forth by the culture and values of New Wave Hospitality.

Responsibilities:

• Set up side stations and server stations with all items needed for shift including but not limited to: plates, water, silver, napkins, salt and pepper shakers, wiping towels, coffee, iced tea, FOH supplies, and any other items that may be needed throughout the shift.
• Help to clear dishes from tables, including glassware, silver, share plates, and any other items on table that are not being used
• Reset tables as guests depart including wiping, resetting, and cleaning surrounding area so table is ready for next guest
• Close down station, put away all supplies, clean bus areas, and perform any closing duties task that are needed by Managers
• Have a complete understanding of all floor plans and seat numbers
• Handle all kitchen requests in a professional and courteous manner.
• Cultivate and maintain professional relationships with all employees through a positive and team-driven work effort
• Engage in sincere and warm interaction with all guests while being professional and courteous
• Adhere to side work requirements, in a timely and accurate manner, and as set forth by restaurant Managers
• Communicate with Chefs, Managers and Front of House staff to better serve the guests needs and their requests
• Proper breakdown and restocking of restaurant smallwares at end of service
• Maintain uniform cleanliness and proper attire at all times without exception

Experience/Skills:

• To be organized in all areas of work
• Have a sense of urgency with regards to all duties
• 1-2 years experience as a Food Runner or Server Assistant
• Proficient conversational English
• High School diploma or equivalent preferred
• Illinois BASSET Certification required
• Serve Safe Food Handlers Certificate required
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and recipes. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or fellow employees.
• Barista experience a plus but not required
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must be able to lift at least 50lbs.

The Server will report to the General Manager and Managers (“Managers”) and, at times, the Executive Chef and Sous Chefs (“Chefs”). Above all, the Server must do all to contribute to a positive work environment as set forth by the culture and values of Cafe Yaya.

Responsibilities:

• Engage in sincere and warm interaction with all guests while being professional and courteous
• Complete knowledge of food style and restaurant menu and be able to answer guest questions professionally and succinctly
• Proficient knowledge of the restaurant’s beverage program and best practices for serving guests
• Ability to use Toast POS system in an efficient manner
• Cultivate and maintain professional relationships with all employees, Chefs, and Managers through a positive and team-driven work effort
• Communicate with Chefs, Managers and Front of House staff to better serve the guests needs and their requests
• Have a complete understanding of all floor plans and seat numbers
• Handle all kitchen requests in a professional and courteous manner.

• Set up side stations and server stations with all items needed for shift including but not limited to: plates, water, silver, napkins, salt and pepper shakers, wiping towels, coffee, iced tea, FOH supplies, and any other items that may be needed throughout the shift.
• Help to clear dishes from tables, including glassware, silver, share plates, and any other items on table that are not being used
• Reset tables as guests depart including wiping, resetting, and cleaning surrounding area so table is ready for next guest
• Close down station, put away all supplies, clean bus areas, and perform any closing duties task that are needed by Managers
• Adhere to side work requirements, in a timely and accurate manner, and as set forth by restaurant Managers
• Deliver food to guests according to the professional and hospitable standards set forth by the Managers and Chefs
• Familiar with kitchen coursing techniques and counter service standards
• Proper breakdown and restocking of restaurant smallwares at end of service
• Maintain uniform cleanliness and proper attire at all times without exception

Experience/Skills:

• 1-3 years of casual or fine dining experience as a Food Server
• To be organized in all areas of work
• Have a sense of urgency with regards to all duties
• Previous Toast experience encouraged
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal and problem solving abilities
• Highly responsible & reliable
• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work cohesively with fellow employees as part of a team
• Ability to focus attention on guest needs while remaining calm and courteous at all times
• High School diploma or equivalent preferred
• Illinois BASSET Certification
• Serve Safe Food Handlers Certificate required
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and recipes. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or fellow employees.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, and lift up to 50 pounds.