Restaurant Server

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate's portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry's most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

The Restaurant Server is responsible for providing the highest quality of service to guests in an attentive, courteous, and efficient manner. He/she is also responsible for receiving and delivering guests orders and collecting payment.

Guest Service & Dining Experience

Greet guests warmly upon arrival and guide them through the tapas-style dining experience.
• Provide detailed menu descriptions, including ingredients and preparation methods of Spanish dishes in addition to any applicable daily specials.
• Make recommendations for tapas pairings and Spanish wines or cocktails (e.g. sangria, vermut, cava).
• Clearly explain the shared plate concept and suggest the appropriate number of dishes based on party size.
• Anticipate guests' needs and respond promptly and courteously to all requests.
• Ensure pre-bussing of plateware and utensils are happening throughout the course of the dining experience.
• Set up the table with proper utensils and plateware in anticipation of next dishes to be served.
• Ensure water glasses are at least full throughout dining experience.
• Ensure additional rounds of ordered beverages are being offered when current beverages are at full.

Order Taking & Communication

• Accurately take food and beverage orders and input them into the POS system.
• Repeat food orders back to guests upon completion of guest order, checking for any dietary restrictions.
• Communicate any special dietary restrictions or allergies to the kitchen.
• Collaborate closely with kitchen and bar staff to ensure smooth service flow.

Coordination & Timing

• Coordinate with kitchen and serving staff to time the release of tapas plates appropriately.
• Prioritize and stage dishes according to when they're ready and based on server/kitchen communication.
• Understand table pacing to avoid overwhelming guests with too many plates at once.

Food Delivery

• Promptly and accurately deliver tapas dishes from the kitchen to guests' tables.
• Clearly communicate dish names and brief descriptions to guests upon delivery.
• Ensure dishes are served at the correct table and to the correct guests, accommodating the shared-plate format.
• Monitor guest tables to ensure satisfaction and notify servers of any needs or issues.

Food/Beverage & Menu Knowledge

• Possess strong knowledge of Spanish cuisine, regional ingredients, and preparation styles.
• Be familiar with Spanish wines, sherries, beers, and spirits, and offer pairing suggestions.
• Provide guests with cultural context or stories behind certain dishes or drinks when appropriate.
• Maintain working knowledge of the full food menu, including ingredients, allergens, and preparation styles.
• Be able to describe key tapas items to guests and answer basic questions.
• Learn Spanish dish names and pronunciations to deliver food confidently and professionally.

Table & Restaurant Maintenance

• Ensure tables are properly set before guests arrive and cleared in a timely manner.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of dining, service, and side station areas.
• Restock side stations with silverware, napkins, condiments, and other essentials.

Cleanliness & Setup

• Breakdown of bussed plates/trays properly by using the proper garbage receptacles, scraping excess food off plates, and organizing dishes, utensils, and glassware properly in the dish area.
• Separate soiled linen and towels in the proper containers.
• Keep the expo area, food pass, and server stations clean and organized.
• Assist in cleaning and resetting tables when needed, especially during busy hours.
• Help polish silverware, glassware, and restock side stations.
• Fold napkins to keep us ready for service and for the next shifts (Always should have 2 full turns of napkins folded for back up).

Safety & Efficiency

• Follow all food safety and sanitation standards during food handling and transport.
• Use proper tray techniques to ensure safe and efficient service.
• Report any spills, broken items, or unsafe conditions to management immediately.
• Be familiar with all fire exit locations and fire extinguisher locations and know how to operate.

Payments & Closing Duties

• Present checks, process payments accurately, and return change or receipts promptly.
• Balance cash drawers and credit card receipts at the end of shift (if applicable)
• Assist in end-of-day side work and closing responsibilities, including final clean-up and setup for the next shift.

Teamwork & Professionalism

• Support fellow servers, bartenders and kitchen staff during peak hours.
• Attend staff meetings, tastings, and training sessions to stay updated on menu changes.
• Maintain a professional, friendly, and enthusiastic demeanor throughout service.
• Communicate effectively with FOH and BOH teammates to maintain a smooth workflow.
• Assist with opening, mid-shift, and closing side work as assigned.
• Support teammates with table maintenance, water refills, and other guest needs.

• High School diploma or equivalent and/or experience in a hotel or a related field preferred.
• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
• Medium work-Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Ability to stand during entire shift.
• Must be able to maneuver throughout the dining area while carrying full trays of food & beverages.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which includes wearing the proper uniform and nametag.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and apply complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to cross-train in other hotel related areas.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Must be able to show initiative, including anticipating guest or operational needs.
• Must have the following skills:

  Customer Service Orientation

  Attention to Detail

  Time Management

  Multitasking

  Team Collaboration

  Problem Solving

  Adaptability

  Cultural Awareness

  Effective Communication

  Organizational Skills

  Knowledge of food safety practices

  Ability to Work Under Pressure

  Positive Attitude

  Conflict Resolution

  Sales Skill

• Perform other duties as requested by management.
• Maintain a friendly and warm demeanor at all times.