Behind The Scenes Restaurant Jobs
By Amabaie
When you first walk in, you might think that your corner restaurant is run by a few servers and a bartender or two... oh, yes, and a cook, of course (Can't forget the food!). The truth is that a restaurant is a beehive of activity, with so many people who make it possible for you to dine out. Here is a behind the scenes look at typical restaurant jobs.

Back of the House Restaurant Jobs

The kitchen area and the staff that support it are typically considered the Back of the House. Below is a list of common Back of the House jobs positions in a restaurant.

COOK JOBS

Cooks are one of the most integral parts of a restaurant dining experience, because no matter how well the service is, your experience will be judged by the taste of your meal. A cook’s responsibility may encompass more than just cooking, they may also be responsible for supervising and training kitchen staff.

CHEF JOBS

Not unlike a Cook, a Chef is one of the most important aspects of your dining experience since the Chef is responsible for planning the menu and the day-to-day operations of the kitchen. One of the main differences between a Chef and a Cook is certification.

PASTRY CHEF JOBS

For all you dessert lovers out there, you will want to send your accolades to the resident pastry chef of the restaurant you’re attending. A pastry cook’s responsibilities encompass similarities of both a chef and a cook.

KITCHEN MANAGER / ASSISTANT MANAGER JOBS

Depending on the size of the restaurant, a Kitchen Manager / Assistant Manager would take on all the administrative and managerial duties of the kitchen. However they may also have a dual role as a Chef or Cook.

DISHWASHER JOBS

A dishwasher can have numerous responsibilities; they may be expected to perform duties of a bus person, cook, and perhaps even waiter or waitress. A dishwasher position in a restaurant is generally an entry-level job for those who are interested in cooking.

Front of the House Restaurant Jobs

The dining area, which may encompass the bar area and all supporting staff is considered the Front of the House. Below is a list of common Front of the House positions in a restaurant.

GENERAL MANAGER / ASSISTANT MANAGER JOBS

The restaurant's General Manager and Assistant Manager run the show. It is ultimately their responsibility for all the functions of a restaurant from opening to closing and they may be required to act as a regular employee to fill in for last minute absences.

HOST / HOSTESS JOBS

The Host or Hostess is the person who greets and seats you when you enter a restaurant. A host or Hostess job is usually an entry-level position for those looking to become a waiter, waitress or bartender; they may also be expected to perform the duties of a waiter or waitress, bartender and bus person...and occasionally even as a bouncer.

BARTENDER JOBS

The bartender is located behind a bar serving up the beer, wine and cocktails that you have ordered. Depending on the type of restaurant, the bar area may be one with a social functionality in mind, or purely utilitarian. Regardless of the function of the bar, bartenders are required to enforce liquor legislation and regulations, and may be required to have some sort of certification.

WAITER / WAITRESS JOBS

Waiters and Waitresses will be your attendants from the time of your first drink order until the time you are puzzling how much of a tip you should leave. They take your meal orders, recommended wine, and always seem to have a habit of asking you how everything is once your mouth is full of food. Much like bartenders they must also enforce liquor legislation and regulations and be certified to serve alcohol. Servers may also be required to perform duties of a bartender, bus person and host or hostess.

BUS PERSON JOBS

A bus person’s main responsibility is to clear tables of used glassware and dishes; they

Skane, Sweden - Where Gastronomy, Natural Beauty, and Culture Meet
To experience the Skåne region of Sweden, it is necessary to drive, and drive we did, discovering along the way charming villages, castles, windmills, yellow fields ablaze with color, and of course, the gastronomy for which the region is famous.
Torekov Hotell
Torekov Hotell is located in the exclusive seaside area of the northwest point of the Bjäre Peninsula in Skåne, Sweden offering guests luxury accommodations, an excellent restaurant, and a pampering Spa.
Spa at Torekov Hotell
The attractive 400-square meter Spa at Torekov Hotell in Torekov, Sweden knows how to pamper their guests for a memorable experience.
salt and brygga Restaurang and bar
Owner Björn Stenbeck's salt brygga Restaurang bar in Malmö, Sweden is a perfect example of how a restaurant can be ecological, stylish, and most of all, very tasty.
Seaside restaurant at the Grand Hotel Molle
Perched on a hill overlooking the harbor, the Seaside restaurant at the Grand Hôtel Mölle in Mölle, Sweden offers guests the opportunity to experience the freshest taste of the sea while enjoying the spectacular view from the terrace or the window lined attractive dining room of the hotel built in 1909.
Sofiero Palace Restaurant
Having lunch at the elegant Sofiero Palace Restaurant (Sofiero Slottsrestaurang) in Helsingborg, Sweden was a royal treat. The restaurant is located inside the Sofiero Palace built in 1864 that was once the summer residence of King Gustav IV Adolf.
Restaurant at Torekov Hotell
The Restaurant at Torekov Hotell located in Torekov, Sweden at the point of the Bjäre Peninsula in the Skåne region, tempts the palate with cuisine using local products.
Gordon Johnson GJ4
Gordon Johnson's GJ4 is a continuation of his successful modern jazz trio format, and when something works you stay with it, especially when you have the opportunity to work with incredible musicians.
Swedish Ceramics - from the Earth to the Table
When Skåne, Sweden started mining coal in the 16th century they also had a serendipitous discovery of finding excellent quality clay necessary for the production of ceramics. By 1799 the first pottery factory opened, and today the Ceramic District located in the northwestern part of Skåne, preserves this most fascinating art.
Theresa Andersson - Hummingbird, Go!
The Theresa Andersson release Hummingbird, Go! reflects a new direction for the rock and pop music virtuoso as she leaves her band behind and goes solo with assistance from digital looping.
Theresa Andersson - Interview
Rock singer, songwriter, multi-talented musician Theresa Andersson takes time from concert performances to chat with Luxury Experience Magazine about how a girl from Sweden lives in New Orleans, Louisiana and records on the Basin Street Records label.
Sofiero Palace Restaurant Recipes - Helsingborg, Sweden
Chef Marcus Nemrin of Sofiero Palace Restaurant (Sofiero Slottsrestaurang) in Helsingborg, Sweden graciously shares his delicous recipe for Chocolate Coated Almond Mousse with Sea Buckthorn Sorbet.
The Restaurant at Torekov Hotell Recipes - Torekov, Sweden
The Swedes love their breads, and if you are a bread lover, like I am, the homemade breads at the Restaurant at Torekov Hotell are almost worth a trip to the beautiful Bjäre Peninsula just to enjoy them. Chef Jimmy Larsson and the team graciously share two recipes for a taste of Skåne, Sweden.
Sofiero Palace Restaurant Recepts - Helsingborg, Sweden (Swedish)
Recepts från Chef Marcus Nemrin av Sofiero Palace Restaurant (Sofiero Slottsrestaurang) i Helsingborg, Sweden.
The Restaurant at Torekov Hotell Recepts - Torekov, Sweden (Swedish)
Bröd recepts från Chef Jimmy Larsson och chefs av Restaurang av Torekov Hotell i Torekov, Sweden.
Tomatoes: Fruits or Vegetables
Recalling the Gershwin lyrics, you say tomato, and I say tomahto but is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable? Luxury Experience Magazine travels to Skåne, Sweden to learn the tomato facts at Vikentomater.
Is It time to cut the Marketing Budget?
Revenue is tight and the markets are getting tighter, do we cut our marketing budget and push all the funds to sales? First, let me answer the question - NO!

may be expected to take on the responsibilities of a host or hostess, waiter or waitress, bartender, dishwasher, or cook. Generally a Bus Person position is an entry-level job for those looking to become a waiter, waitress or bartender.

So the next time you ask for a slice a bumbleberry pie and an iced tea, think about how many people helped make your small treat a reality. In a restaurant, it is a much bigger job than sitting down for a midnight snack at the kitchen table.

David Leonhardt and Corey Rozon are freelance writers from Canada. Learn more about restaurant jobs in Canada and especially about restaurant jobs in Quebec City. For a worldwide list of recruiters, please visit the recruiters and executive search firms directory.