What does it really take to work in a restaurant? While the surface-level perception may involve taking orders and serving food, the reality is far more complex, challenging, and, dare we say, exhilarating. From pre-opening prep to end-of-day cleaning, restaurant employees wear many hats during a single shift. Here’s a glimpse into a typical day in the life of a restaurant employee.
Morning Shift: Preparing for the Day Ahead
6:30 AM: Wake Up and Get Ready
Most employees wake up bright and early to prepare for the morning shift, especially if they work in a restaurant that serves breakfast. After a cup of coffee and a quick breakfast, it’s off to work.
7:30 AM: Arrival and Setup
Upon arrival, the first task is often setting up the restaurant for opening. This may involve laying out table settings, ensuring the point-of-sale (POS) systems are functional, and preparing the kitchen for a day of cooking.
8:00 AM: Staff Briefing
The manager usually gathers the staff for a briefing. They’ll go over the specials for the day, any notable reservations, and other important announcements or reminders.
Midday: The Rush Begins
11:00 AM: Doors Open
As customers start to filter in, the staff switches to high gear. Hosts greet and seat customers, servers begin taking orders, and the kitchen buzzes with activity.
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch Rush
During peak hours, multitasking is crucial. Servers weave through tables, taking orders and delivering food, while kitchen staff juggle multiple orders at once.
Afternoon: A Moment to Breathe
3:00 PM: Inventory and Restocking
After the lunch rush, it’s time to take stock. Inventory must be updated, and all items need to be restocked in preparation for dinner.
4:00 PM: Cleaning and Organization
Tables are wiped down, floors are swept and mopped, and kitchen counters are sanitized. A clean work environment is crucial for both safety and efficiency.
Evening: The Second Wind
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Dinner Rush
The dinner rush often involves larger parties and more complex orders, requiring a heightened level of coordination and attention to detail.
9:30 PM: Closing Time Approaches
As customers begin to leave, staff start cleaning up tables, tallying up the day’s sales, and performing closing duties, such as shutting down grills and storing food safely.
Late Night: Wrapping Up
10:30 PM: Final Briefing
Before everyone heads home, the manager often calls for a final briefing to go over the day’s highs and lows and to make announcements for the following day.
11:00 PM: Lock Up and Lights Out
The last person out is typically responsible for making sure that everything is locked up and secure, marking the end of a long, but fulfilling day.
Conclusion
A day in the life of a restaurant employee is far from mundane. It’s filled with challenges, requires a wide array of skills, and offers the reward of satisfied customers. The sense of camaraderie among the staff and the satisfaction of a job well done make all the hard work worthwhile. If you’re considering a job in the food service industry, prepare for an exciting, fast-paced journey that is both demanding and incredibly rewarding.
By mallory@neweve.com
Introduction
What does it really take to work in a restaurant? While the surface-level perception may involve taking orders and serving food, the reality is far more complex, challenging, and, dare we say, exhilarating. From pre-opening prep to end-of-day cleaning, restaurant employees wear many hats during a single shift. Here’s a glimpse into a typical day in the life of a restaurant employee.
Morning Shift: Preparing for the Day Ahead
6:30 AM: Wake Up and Get Ready
Most employees wake up bright and early to prepare for the morning shift, especially if they work in a restaurant that serves breakfast. After a cup of coffee and a quick breakfast, it’s off to work.
7:30 AM: Arrival and Setup
Upon arrival, the first task is often setting up the restaurant for opening. This may involve laying out table settings, ensuring the point-of-sale (POS) systems are functional, and preparing the kitchen for a day of cooking.
8:00 AM: Staff Briefing
The manager usually gathers the staff for a briefing. They’ll go over the specials for the day, any notable reservations, and other important announcements or reminders.
Midday: The Rush Begins
11:00 AM: Doors Open
As customers start to filter in, the staff switches to high gear. Hosts greet and seat customers, servers begin taking orders, and the kitchen buzzes with activity.
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch Rush
During peak hours, multitasking is crucial. Servers weave through tables, taking orders and delivering food, while kitchen staff juggle multiple orders at once.
Afternoon: A Moment to Breathe
3:00 PM: Inventory and Restocking
After the lunch rush, it’s time to take stock. Inventory must be updated, and all items need to be restocked in preparation for dinner.
4:00 PM: Cleaning and Organization
Tables are wiped down, floors are swept and mopped, and kitchen counters are sanitized. A clean work environment is crucial for both safety and efficiency.
Evening: The Second Wind
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Dinner Rush
The dinner rush often involves larger parties and more complex orders, requiring a heightened level of coordination and attention to detail.
9:30 PM: Closing Time Approaches
As customers begin to leave, staff start cleaning up tables, tallying up the day’s sales, and performing closing duties, such as shutting down grills and storing food safely.
Late Night: Wrapping Up
10:30 PM: Final Briefing
Before everyone heads home, the manager often calls for a final briefing to go over the day’s highs and lows and to make announcements for the following day.
11:00 PM: Lock Up and Lights Out
The last person out is typically responsible for making sure that everything is locked up and secure, marking the end of a long, but fulfilling day.
Conclusion
A day in the life of a restaurant employee is far from mundane. It’s filled with challenges, requires a wide array of skills, and offers the reward of satisfied customers. The sense of camaraderie among the staff and the satisfaction of a job well done make all the hard work worthwhile. If you’re considering a job in the food service industry, prepare for an exciting, fast-paced journey that is both demanding and incredibly rewarding.