Food Runner job description template

Food runners carry plates from the kitchen to the right table while they're still hot, so servers can stay with their guests. They're the link between the pass and the dining room. A good post explains how busy your rushes get and whether runners also help with expo or bussing.

Post this job free

Food Runner

Part-time
Your Company is looking for a food runner to get dishes from our kitchen to guests quickly and correctly. You'll learn our table numbers and menu, check each plate before it leaves the pass and make sure every guest gets the right dish. You'll work closely with cooks, servers and bussers during service. It's a great way to learn how a restaurant works on both sides of the kitchen door.

What you’ll do

  • Deliver dishes to the correct table and seat position as soon as they're ready
  • Check plates against the ticket for accuracy, garnish and allergy notes before they leave
  • Name each dish as you set it down and ask whether guests need anything else
  • Bring condiments, extra utensils or sides that guests request
  • Let the kitchen and servers know right away about mistakes, delays or guest requests
  • Keep the pass and expo area clean and stocked with plates, ramekins and napkins
  • Help clear and reset tables when no food is waiting at the pass

What we’re looking for

  • Able to learn our table numbers, seat positions and menu quickly
  • Able to carry several plates or a loaded tray safely through the dining room
  • Able to walk briskly between the kitchen and dining room for a full shift
  • Clear communicator with both the kitchen and the floor
  • Available for lunch or dinner rushes, weekends and holidays

Nice to have

  • Previous busser, runner or server experience
  • Knowledge of common food allergens
  • Interest in serving or expo work

Schedule

Part-time shifts focused on lunch and dinner rushes, especially Friday through Sunday. Shift length may vary with how busy we are.

What we offer

  • Portion of server tips, according to our tip policy
  • Employee dining discount
  • Training to become a server
  • Shorter shifts that fit around other commitments

Add your pay, location and schedule when you post. Jobs that show pay get noticeably more applicants.

Screening questions for a food runner

Ask these on the application form to sort applicants quickly. They’re added automatically when you post this template.

  • Can you work Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings?Yes / No · required
  • Have you worked in a restaurant before? If so, in what role?Short answer
  • Describe a time you had to move quickly without making mistakes.Paragraph

Food Runner interview questions

  1. How would you make sure each guest at a table of six gets the right dish?
  2. You arrive at a table and a guest says they ordered something else. What do you do?
  3. How would you handle a dish with an allergy note on the ticket?
  4. Three dishes for different tables are ready at the same time. How do you decide what goes first?
  5. What's the most plates you've carried at once, and how do you carry them?
  6. What would you tell the kitchen if a guest sent back a dish?
  7. Would you like to move into serving or expo someday?

Tips for hiring a food runner

  • Ask about allergy awareness in the interview. A runner who double-checks the ticket protects your guests and your restaurant.
  • Give a quick practical test: show your floor plan with seat numbers and ask them to deliver a pretend order.
  • Hire runners who want to serve someday. They learn your menu and table flow, so they're ready when a server spot opens.
  • Post the exact shifts you need. Many restaurants only need runners for peak hours, and applicants appreciate knowing up front.