Server Assistant

Cha Chín is part of Éxodo Hospitality Group, a Chicago-based hospitality group bringing together diverse cultures, culinary traditions, and unique dining experiences. Rooted in a celebration of culture, community, and connection, we believe hospitality is about more than great food and service. It's about bringing people together and creating meaningful experiences.

Inspired by the belief that true prosperity is found in the moments we share, Cha Chín celebrates good fortune, community, and togetherness. Our culinary concept brings together Chinese and Peruvian influences, highlighting the ingredients, traditions, and cooking techniques of both cuisines.

Through food, drinks, and genuine hospitality, we strive to create an environment where every guest feels welcomed, valued, and part of something special.

We are seeking attentive, energetic, and dependable Server Assistants who understand that exceptional hospitality is a shared responsibility and that every detail contributes to the guest experience.

The Server Assistant plays an essential role in maintaining the flow, efficiency, and presentation of the dining room. This position supports food delivery, table maintenance, water service, clearing, resetting, and the preparation of service areas throughout the restaurant.

Our ideal Server Assistant is observant, proactive, organized, and comfortable working with a strong sense of urgency. They recognize what needs to be done without waiting for constant direction and understand how their actions directly affect the quality and timing of service.

Every guest is our guest, regardless of assigned section. Server Assistants are expected to remain attentive to the entire dining room, respond to guest needs, and proactively support teammates across all front-of-house positions.

This role requires careful attention to food presentation, seat numbers, proper table settings, and the handling of delicate dinnerware. Speed and efficiency are essential, but must never compromise accuracy, safety, or the guest experience.

Server Assistants also share responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness, organization, presentation, and overall integrity of the restaurant. No reasonable service-related task is beneath any team member.

What You'll Do:

Guest Experience & Attentive Hospitality

• Welcome and acknowledge guests with genuine warmth, professionalism, and courtesy.

• Maintain awareness of guest needs throughout the entire dining room, regardless of assigned section.

• Anticipate needs such as water refills, additional utensils, sharing plates, napkins, and table maintenance before guests have to ask.

• Respond promptly and professionally to guest requests, assisting directly when appropriate or communicating with the responsible team member.

• Use guest names naturally and appropriately when known, helping create a welcoming and personalized experience.

• Remain attentive and available without interrupting conversations or making guests feel rushed.

• Recognize special occasions, guest preferences, and service concerns, communicating relevant information to Servers or management.

• Maintain a positive, composed, and guest-focused attitude throughout service.

• Provide consistent hospitality during both busy and slower periods.

• Contribute to a warm and genuine farewell whenever interacting with departing guests.

• Deliver food promptly and accurately from the kitchen to the correct tables and seat positions.

• Follow established seat-number systems and food delivery procedures.

• Verify table numbers, seat numbers, dish identification, and presentation before delivering food.

• Handle plates and serving equipment safely, maintaining proper food temperatures and presentation.

• Announce dishes clearly and professionally when placing them at the table.

• Understand basic menu components and dish identification to ensure accurate food delivery.

• Recognize and communicate missing items, incorrect dishes, modifications, or presentation concerns before they affect the guest experience.

• Coordinate with the kitchen, expo, Servers, and other support staff to maintain proper food timing and service flow.

• Ensure guests have the appropriate utensils, sharing plates, condiments, and serving pieces before food arrives.

• Communicate food delivery issues or delays promptly to the appropriate team members.

• Follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, and allergen-handling procedures.

• Maintain tables throughout the dining experience by proactively removing unnecessary items, used plates, empty glassware, and other serviceware when appropriate.

• Practice proper prebussing and clearing techniques without interrupting guests or removing items prematurely.

• Assist with clearing between courses and preparing tables for the next stage of service.

• Refill water and maintain appropriate table settings throughout the meal.

• Reset tables promptly, accurately, and consistently according to established standards.

• Ensure tables, chairs, glassware, silverware, napkins, and other service items are clean, polished, properly positioned, and ready for arriving guests.

• Inspect tables and surrounding areas for crumbs, spills, debris, or misplaced items.

• Support efficient table turns while ensuring guests never feel rushed.

• Communicate table readiness and service needs to Hosts, Servers, and management.

• Handle all dinnerware, glassware, and service equipment carefully to prevent unnecessary damage.

• Treat every guest as your responsibility, regardless of assigned section or position.

• Maintain awareness of the entire dining room and proactively recognize when guests or teammates require assistance.

• Support Servers, Hosts, Food Runners, Bussers, Bartenders, and Managers wherever needed to maintain efficient service.

• Assist with food running, beverage delivery, water service, clearing, resetting, stocking, and other front-of-house responsibilities.

• Step in when teammates are occupied, overwhelmed, or unavailable.

• Communicate guest requests, special occasions, allergies, service concerns, and other important information promptly to the appropriate team members.

• Recognize that maintaining the guest experience sometimes requires performing tasks beyond immediate position assignments.

• Remain flexible and responsive to changing service priorities.

• Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with kitchen and front-of-house employees.

• Follow direction from management and remain receptive to coaching and feedback.

• Contribute to a collaborative, accountable, and supportive team environment.

• Take shared ownership of the overall integrity of the restaurant, including cleanliness, organization, presentation, atmosphere, and readiness for service.

• Maintain awareness of the condition of tables, chairs, floors, service stations, menus, and other guest-facing areas.

• Proactively address spills, clutter, dirty surfaces, misplaced items, and other issues affecting cleanliness, safety, or presentation.

• Keep service stations clean, organized, stocked, and prepared for service.

• Restock glassware, silverware, napkins, water supplies, serving equipment, and other service essentials as needed.

• Assist with polishing glassware, silverware, and service equipment according to established procedures.

• Handle delicate plates, specialty dinnerware, glassware, and serving pieces with exceptional care.

• Avoid improper stacking, overcrowding, or transporting fragile items in ways that may cause chips, cracks, scratches, or breakage.

• Immediately remove and report chipped china, damaged glassware, defective silverware, or unsafe equipment.

• Communicate maintenance concerns, cleanliness issues, equipment shortages, and operational needs to management.

• Complete assigned opening, running, closing, and side-work responsibilities.

• Recognize that maintaining the restaurant's appearance and functionality is a shared responsibility rather than the responsibility of any single position.

• Develop working knowledge of Cha Chín's Chinese-Peruvian culinary concept, signature dishes, ingredients, and basic preparation methods.

• Learn to accurately identify all menu items and recognize common modifications, dietary considerations, and allergens.

• Maintain current knowledge of daily specials, menu changes, and unavailable items relevant to food delivery.

• Understand the restaurant's layout, table numbering, seat numbering, service stations, and operational flow.

• Never guess when responding to questions involving allergens, ingredients, or dietary restrictions; refer guests to the Server or appropriate manager when necessary.

• Demonstrate strong attention to detail, urgency, and accuracy in all assigned responsibilities.

• Communicate delays, mistakes, missing items, or service concerns immediately.

• Take responsibility for assigned duties and follow through until tasks are completed.

• Remain attentive to changing operational needs and adjust priorities appropriately.

• Participate actively in training, preshift meetings, and ongoing service development.

• Maintain professional conduct, appearance, and communication throughout every shift.

• Strong sense of urgency, initiative, and willingness to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

• A genuine interest in hospitality and a willingness to assist guests and teammates beyond immediate responsibilities.

• Strong attention to detail, particularly with food delivery, seat numbers, table settings, cleanliness, and service accuracy.

• Ability to remain observant and anticipate guest and operational needs.

• Strong organizational habits and commitment to maintaining a clean, orderly workspace.

• Ability to follow instructions, service procedures, and established safety standards.

• Willingness to learn menu items, ingredients, allergens, table numbers, and seat-number systems.

• Ability to handle delicate dinnerware, glassware, and service equipment carefully.

• Strong communication and teamwork skills with a positive, professional attitude.

• Reliability, punctuality, accountability, and willingness to accept coaching.

• Ability to maintain composure and efficiency during busy service periods.

• Willingness to assist with food running, prebussing, clearing, resetting, stocking, polishing, and general dining room support.

• Commitment to upholding all Éxodo Hospitality Group service standards and operational expectations.

• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.

• Valid Illinois Food Handler Training certification where applicable, or ability to obtain it within the legally required timeframe.

• 3+ years experience as a Server Assistant, Food Runner, Busser, or other front-of-house support position.

• Experience in a high-volume, upscale casual, fine-dining, or comparable full-service restaurant.

• Familiarity with professional table service, food running, and seat-number etiquette.

• Basic knowledge of menu ingredients, allergens, and food safety procedures.

• Experience handling delicate dinnerware, specialty plates, and glassware.

• Familiarity with restaurant POS systems or table management systems.

• Bilingual communication skills, particularly English and Spanish.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout a full shift.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 lbs, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, and repetitive movements while navigating a busy dining room.

• Ability to safely carry trays, bus tubs, plates, glassware, and other service equipment.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced restaurant environment with exposure to noise, heat, and crowds.

• Ability to maintain awareness of surroundings and move safely through guest and employee areas.

• Ability to remain attentive, professional, and engaged throughout scheduled shifts.

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.

If you believe every guest deserves your attention, every teammate deserves your support, and every detail of the restaurant contributes to the guest experience, we would love to meet you.

Éxodo Hospitality Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.