Function

• A banquet server ensures that the food and drinks ordered for a banquet reach guests quickly, either by delivering food directly to where guests are seated for a sit-down dinner or by keeping a buffet well-stocked. For cocktail receptions, banquet servers often circulate through the room, offering guests finger foods from large trays.
  
  

Variations

• In some facilities, banquet servers assist with the set-up and clean up from banquets. Servers may also perform simple tasks like putting dressing on salads or pouring beverages.
  
  

Skills

• Successful banquet serves possess upbeat, positive personalities and willingness to work on a team. The ability to move quickly, carry and balance heavy loads and work standing up for long periods of time is also necessary for the work of a banquet server.
  
  

Time Frame

• Banquets are often held during evenings and on weekends, requiring severs to work corresponding shifts. During certain times of the year, servers may have more banquets to work, such as around the end of the year for holiday parties or in the summer for weddings.
  
  

Education

• Although there is no specific education required for the work of banquet servers, most employers prefer applicants with a high school diploma or GED. On-the-job training is usually given to new banquet servers.
  
  

Compensation

• As of December 2009, banquet servers averaged annual salaries of $22,000, according to Indeed.com.