Kitchen Expo / Food Runner

The Tavern Restaurant

Position Summary

The Kitchen Expo / Food Runner plays an important role in ensuring food leaves the kitchen accurately, promptly, and presented to our standards. This position serves as a key connection between the kitchen and front-of-house team, helping coordinate orders, maintain an organized expo line, and deliver food to guests with urgency and professionalism.

The ideal candidate is organized, attentive, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and able to communicate clearly with both the culinary and service teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Organize and coordinate completed food orders at the expo line.
• Review tickets carefully to ensure all items for a table are complete before food leaves the kitchen.
• Confirm proper presentation, garnishes, sides, sauces, modifications, and special requests.
• Communicate clearly with chefs, servers, managers, and other food runners regarding ticket timing and missing items.
• Run food promptly and safely to the correct tables and guests.
• Announce dishes when placing them at the table and provide professional, friendly guest interaction.
• Understand table numbers, seat positions, menu items, ingredients, and common modifications.
• Pay close attention to allergy and dietary notifications and follow all restaurant procedures regarding allergy orders.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and fully stocked expo station throughout the shift.
• Keep necessary plates, utensils, napkins, condiments, sauces, and other expo supplies stocked and ready for service.
• Assist servers and other team members when needed to keep service moving efficiently.
• Communicate immediately with a manager or chef when there is an issue with an order rather than allowing incorrect or incomplete food to leave the kitchen.
• Help maintain cleanliness and organization in kitchen service areas and food-running stations.
• Complete assigned opening, closing, and side-work responsibilities.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and restaurant policies and procedures.

Expectations

Kitchen Expo / Food Runners are expected to:

• Work with a strong sense of urgency while maintaining accuracy.
• Stay focused and organized during high-volume periods.
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with both FOH and BOH team members.
• Take ownership of the expo area and recognize problems before they affect the guest.
• Never send food that is incomplete, incorrect, or does not meet presentation standards.
• Be dependable, punctual, and prepared for each scheduled shift.
• Maintain a positive, team-oriented attitude and be willing to assist wherever needed.

Qualifications

• Restaurant experience required.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to learn the menu, table numbers, seat positions, and restaurant service standards.
• Must be able to stand and move for extended periods and safely carry multiple plates or trays.
• Availability to work weekdays, evenings, weekends, holidays, and other high-volume periods as scheduled.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Kitchen Expo / Food Runner helps create a smooth connection between the kitchen and dining room. Food reaches the correct guest quickly, accurately, and looking its best. The expo line stays organized, communication remains clear, and the entire team is supported in providing a great guest experience.