Counter service assistant
Counter service assistants greet and serve customers and take payments for food and drink.
In this guide
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a counter service assistant, you'll:
- welcome customers and take their food and drink orders
- handle raw and cooked food, following food hygiene rules
- set up and keep all eating and serving areas clean and tidy
- bring food and drink to the table or take-away point
- give advice about food content and menu choices and make sure customers have everything they need
- use a till and vending machines
- handle customer enquiries and complaints
Working environment
You could work at a store or at a restaurant.
Your working environment may be hot and noisy.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a supervisor or manager.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with others
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be flexible and open to change
- knowledge of food production methods
- knowledge of public safety and security
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Related subjects
Most relevant
- Food Preparation and Nutrition - Counter service assistants handle raw and cooked food daily and need to follow strict food hygiene rules. They also advise customers about menu choices and food content, including allergens and dietary requirements, so understanding ingredients and nutrition is really important.
Also relevant
- Business - Counter service assistants work in a fast-paced commercial environment where customer satisfaction directly affects the business. Understanding how hospitality businesses operate – including stock management, customer service, and teamwork – helps them contribute to a well-run establishment.
- Mathematics - Counter service assistants use tills, handle cash, and process payments throughout their shifts. Being confident with mental arithmetic helps when giving change, totalling orders, and checking that transactions are correct.
- English Language - Counter service assistants communicate with customers constantly – taking orders, explaining menu options, and handling complaints. Being able to speak clearly, listen carefully, and respond politely is essential for providing good service.
- Modern Foreign Languages - Counter service assistants in busy restaurants, tourist areas, or diverse communities often serve customers who speak different languages. Being able to communicate in another language can make customers feel welcome and help resolve queries more easily.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
You could take a course in food and beverage service or hospitality and catering.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
You could apply to do a Food and Beverage Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
More Information
You could apply directly for jobs. Some employers may expect you to have experience in customer service, catering or hospitality work.
You could start with a weekend or temporary job to build up your skills.
Further information
You can find out more about working in catering from Caterer.com.
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