Food Runner

Boka Restaurant Group and the Chicago Athletic Association are currently seeking a Food Runner to join their team at Cindy's!

Please note this is a part-time position from Thursday to Saturday with hours from 3:30 PM to 11:00 PM.

General Description:

Deliver food to guests in a friendly, professional & knowledgeable manner. Functions as the communications link between and among the various food production areas in the kitchen and the front of house.

Benefits & Perks: Health, Dental, and Voluntary Benefits Package (available after 90 days), employer-sponsored mental health and resource program, paid sick leave, 401(k) program, career mentorship and growth potential, and dining incentives across our 20 establishments!

About Boka Restaurant Group: Boka Restaurant Group is a James Beard Award-winning group, anchored by partnerships with some of America’s greatest chefs. With a firm belief that genuine hospitality makes the world a more human place, we strive beyond convention to believe in and support each other, care for our communities, and work together to build the world we want to live in. View our restaurants here: https://www.bokagrp.com/

Specific Tasks:

• Deliver food orders from the kitchen to customers’ tables rapidly and accurately
• Assist the wait staff with table setting by fetching and placing appropriate tableware, eating utensils and napkins
• Ensure food is served in accordance with safety standards (e.g. proper temperature)
• Check in with customers and take additional orders or refill water, as needed
• Remove dirty dishes and utensils
• Ensure that the table is set and ready when dropping dishes.
• Ensure that the table number and seat numbers are correct and were communicated appropriately. Call back to confirm with the Expeditor or Chef.
• Describe the dish as it is dropped and answer guests’ questions about ingredients and menu items.
• Inform restaurant staff about customers’ feedback or requests (e.g., when they ask for the check)
• Checks cleanliness from the previous shift and notifies the restaurant manager of any problems.
• Sets up, restocks, and prepares for shift change and/or close.
• Cleans and stocks the expo station throughout the shift.
• Obtains and maintains knowledge of all menu items.
• Ensures that all necessary tableware and condiments are available
• Ensures that serving utensils are available (soup spoons, dessert forks, tea spoons), and polishes as necessary.
• Ensures that clean towels are available for wipe downs.
• Keeps the expeditor area clean at all times and free from any unnecessary items.
• Ensures all areas are wiped and cleaned upon closing.
• Complete daily opening & closing “side work” assigned by management.
• Take guests’ allergies with the utmost seriousness and comply with the Allergy Protocol set by the restaurant
• Comply with all safety and sanitation (including handwashing) guidelines and procedures
• Attend all scheduled meetings and offer suggestions for improvement.
• Fill in when needed to ensure guest service standards.
Boka Restaurant Group operates on a seven-day per week schedule; consistent and reliable attendance is mandatory.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Safely and effectively use all necessary tools and equipment
• Stand and walk for an entire shift, including moving safely through all areas of the restaurant, which may include stairs, uneven, and slick surfaces

Additional Tasks: Expeditor specific

• Act as the contact point between Front of the House and Back of the House staff
• Communicate food orders to chefs, paying attention to priorities and special requests (e.g., food allergies)
• Ensures all orders coming from the kitchen are assembled and complete by tables for pick up by the Food Runner.
• Ensures that all overhead heating lamps are turned to the “on” position.
• Checks all orders carefully and communicates with servers for any items out of the ordinary.
• Make sure all orders are complete and look acceptable to guests.
• As orders arrive from the kitchen, the kitchen matches each kitchen plate with the corresponding ticket from the printer.
• Makes sure all items are on plates as ordered and marks off the order ticket.
• Make sure that the food runner checks all items for completion, accuracy, and table numbers.
• Communicates with the server and kitchen if something is not correct or missing from an order.

Expectations:

• Hospitable: We are known for exceptional guest service in all of our pursuits, and it is your job to uphold these high standards, and to find ways to go above and beyond the guests’ expectations.
• Positive, Personable, and Professional. As we all work closely together, we always want to bring positive energy to the group. It is important to clearly, politely, directly and effectively communicate with your team, managers, and guests.
• Flexible. This is of utmost importance, as the restaurant industry can be very unpredictable. Be willing to do what is asked of you if it benefits the Group as a whole.
• Accountable and Responsible. We each hold ourselves accountable to follow through on all commitments with a sense of urgency and consistency. It is important to be accountable for your actions.
• Solution Orientated. We work in an extremely fast-paced environment and many aspects of our careers require quick thinking and the ability to manage many things at once. Should any problems arise in any facet of your work, you should be able to identify the problem and offer thoughtful, achievable, and appropriate solutions
• Ambitious and Self Aware. We look for employees who know their self-worth and are excited about their career day in and day out. It is important to continually push yourself forward by constantly learning, seeking to improve, and never resting on your laurels. It is also important that you are able to receive feedback—both positive and constructive criticism—in order to succeed, grow, and develop within your roll and continue to move forward within the company.
• An Ambassador of BRG. Perhaps most importantly, we expect all staff of Boka Restaurant Group, regardless of position, to be professional, courteous, and respectful of all other restaurants in the industry.

If you feel you meet the requirements, are a team player, experienced, passionate, and dedicated to your craft, we want to hear from you!