English for Restaurant Workers

02 January 2024

Consider a restaurant employee. You probably imagined a chef. Perhaps you pictured a waiter or waitress. However, there are several additional careers available in the food business! This post will discuss the jobs of waiters, hosts, bartenders, managers, chefs, and bussers.

Knowing English is a significant benefit for all of these occupations. The English restaurant employees use varies depending on the employment, but it is often formal, courteous, easy, and worthwhile to master!

English for restaurant staff is similar to English for offices. If you are in a managerial position in a restaurant, we recommend that you study English for office workers here.

English Phrases for Restaurant Workers

Waiter

Waiters and waitresses are among the most visible restaurant personnel. They handle food and beverage orders, serve meals and beverages, and generally assist customers in getting what they want.

Every day as a server, you will see and chat with many clients. English proficiency is essential! This role requires a lot of repetition, which you'll pick up quickly as you work.

Because waiters can be found in practically any restaurant, this is one of the most accessible jobs to practise for. You may also gather menus from your favourite restaurants (or get them online) and learn about the many types of foods you could have to offer.

  • Can I take your order?
  • The special for today is...
  • Can I fetch you something to drink?
  • How are things going for you?
  • My name is Adam, and I'll be serving you this evening. 

Host

A host's or hostess's role is to meet and seat visitors (customers). A restaurant host smiles at clients, speaks nicely, and occasionally accepts bookings.

A host must also be considerate (pleasant but not overbearing). For example, if there is a long wait to be seated, the host must inform clients that they will need to wait—without making them furious about the delay.

This employment requires excellent English skills and a genuine (actual) grin!

Frequently used phrases:

  • How many persons are at your party?
  • Have you made a reservation?
  • A 10-minute delay is expected.
  • Your table has been set.
  • This way, please. 

Chef

The cook, you guessed it, cooks! There are several types of culinary jobs, each with titles and experience requirements.

The vocabulary you'll need will depend on the sort of restaurant you work in. There are a few phrases and restaurant vocabulary terms that you will encounter wherever, so start there.

Common expressions:

  • Please convey my gratitude to the chef.  (This is what pleased customers say to the cook!)
  • I urgently want a chicken pasta supreme!  ("On the fly" means very quickly.)
  • Kill this burger because it has to be well done.
  • Chef, do you agree?
  • I'm right behind you!