Restaurant Servers and Hosts
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Food and Beverage Serving and Related WorkersCreated by the U.S. Department of Labor, this site offers information on the different opportunities available to you in the food service industry, with quick links available to employment outlook, wages, and related occupations. You can find additional information on opportunities from the career resources located at the bottom of the page.
FoodService.comA comprehensive source of information for food service professionals, this site offers daily news, a market report, and resources for you to learn all about the food service industry and different occupations within it. You’ll find forums and chat rooms, schools and resources, and connections to information on food shows and an employment center.
Occupational Titles
Banquet Servers
Banquet Waiter/Waitress
Bar Waiter/Waitress
Cocktail Server
Cocktail Waitress
Deck Steward
Dining Car Waiter/Waitress
Dining Room Captain
Food Expeditor
Food Server
Food Service Management
Food And Beverage Server
Head Banquet Waiter/Waitress
Headwaiter
Host/Hostess
Mess Attendant
Restaurant Server
Room Service Server
Server
Singing Waiter Or Waitress
Sommelier
Steward/Stewardess, Wine
Waiter, Banquet Captain
Waiter, Buffet
Waiter, Captain
Waiter, Dining Car
Waiter, Waiting On Customers
Waiter/Waitress, Bar
Waiter/Waitress, Buffet
Waiter/Waitress, Club
Waiter/Waitress, Dining Car
Waiter/Waitress, Formal
Waiter/Waitress, Informal
Waitstaff
Waitstaff Captain
Wine Steward/Stewardess
Salary Levels
PayScale: Restaurant Host/HostessLook here to quickly find information on the median hourly rate for a restaurant host or hostess across the U.S., including a general graph and a breakdown of salary according to the city or state you live in.
Salary.com: Restaurant and Food Server JobsClick on a job title here to view a basic salary report. You can also find lists of job titles within a certain salary range that you select.
Professional Organizations
Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional ExellenceGo to this page to find an organization for schools and universities dedicated to programs in the restaurant business, with resources that include monthly industry highlights, conference news, and a department just for students. Go to the student site, and you will find a guide to college programs in hospitality and tourism, a publication just for high school and college students, a student career site, and information on an honor society and scholarships.
National Restaurant AssociationAt Restaurant.org, you can locate all the information you need to successfully work in the restaurant business, including health and safety issues, nutrition, and news about the food service industry. If you decide to make the restaurant business a career, you might also be interested in finding out how to run or manage a restaurant.
National Restaurant Association Educational FoundationDedicated to the development of the restaurant and food industries, this organization helps you find training classes in your area, provides practical advice on safe food safety, and emphasizes professional development and career opportunities.
Licensing & Certification
American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute: Professional CertificationVarious certifications for food and beverage staff are offered by this organization, including diplomas for restaurant servers, cocktail servers, kitchen stewards, and banquet preparation. Click on your selection at the middle of the page to learn more about the qualifications, skill validation, and application.
ISeek: Certifications for Food Service ManagersA variety of credentialing organizations provide distinctions for food service managers of all types. Take a look at this list, click on any one of more than 30 certifications, and find out more about the certifying organizations and how they might enhance your career in the restaurant business.
Job Opportunity Sources
Food Service.com: Employment CenterThis career center lets you in on one of the biggest job databases in the nation for the food service industry. Choose your category of interest—be it a manager or non-manager position, as well as your location in the U.S.—to be returned a comprehensive listing of opportunities.
Quintessential Careers in Food, Hospitality, and TourismCareers in food and hospitality are at your fingertips at this job search site, including restaurant, hotel, and resort jobs. You can also find career tutorials, articles, and college planning here.
Publications
HosteurHosteur is from the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education and is intended just for students new to the restaurant industry. You can download the current issue at this site.
Restaurants and InstitutionsServing up all kinds of information for the restaurant and entertainment industry, this online magazine provides the latest news, foods, and menu details, as well as departments dedicated to restaurant management issues and research. You can link to discussion boards to help you find answers to your individual questions, watch videos, or find web exclusive articles on the restaurant industry. This resource focuses on food and menu trends, and also offers practical information for working in a restaurant.
Online Forums & Blogs
Restaurant and Institutions BlogsThe discussions available here let you read the personal experiences from people in the hospitality industry. One management professor offers you his opinion on key issues, while another writes weekly updates on the opening of a new restaurant.
Roadfood.comA restaurant workers’ forum is available here, where you can post your comments or questions about the food service industry. You can also do a restaurant, recipe, or other forum search, where additional discussions on meals and menus are found.
Career Videos
ISeek: Waiters and WaitressesThe video at this page offers information on working in dining establishments as a waiter or waitress and the various jobs you might perform. The tabs at the top of the page will guide you to further details on wages, needed skills, and jobs.
YouTube: Waiters and Waitresses Job DescriptionLearn about the jobs in restaurants, coffee shops, and other establishments. The importance of the job, the need to be friendly and attentive, and job opportunities is discussed, as well as the keys to success in this people-oriented occupation.
