Restaurant, Food Expeditor (Full Time, AM)

Rebel Hotel Company; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 28,929; Full time

Job summary

El Encanto in Santa Barbara is seeking a Food Expeditor for a full-time AM shift. You will act as the essential connection between the Culinary and Restaurant service teams, ensuring each order is prepared correctly, presented beautifully, and delivered to guests on time.

You must communicate clearly under pressure, coordinate timing with the kitchen pass, and maintain organization during fast-paced service.

Qualifications

• Experience in luxury or high-volume dining preferred.
• Ability to read guest checks, modifications, and allergy info accurately.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate order flow between kitchen and service to ensure timely delivery.
• Maintain a clean, organized kitchen pass and support staff as needed.
• Communicate clearly with culinary and service teams to resolve issues quickly.

Skills

Excellent communication

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Calm under pressure

Education

California Food Handler Card

Job description

Restaurant, Food Expeditor (Full Time, AM)

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Description

The Food Expeditor serves as the essential connection between the Culinary and Restaurant service teams, ensuring that each order is prepared accurately, presented beautifully, and delivered to the correct guest in a timely manner. This position maintains organization and communication at the kitchen pass while verifying that every dish reflects El Encanto’s standards for quality, presentation, temperature, and personalized luxury service.

The Food Expeditor must remain composed and attentive in a fast-paced environment, communicate clearly with culinary and service team members, and anticipate potential service challenges before they affect the guest experience.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Order Accuracy, Quality & Presentation

• Review guest checks and confirm that each order is complete, accurate, and prepared according to the guest’s specifications.
• Inspect dishes for presentation, portioning, temperature, cleanliness, and consistency before they leave the kitchen.
• Verify table numbers, seat positions, coursing, modifications, and special requests to support accurate delivery.
• Ensure allergies and dietary restrictions are clearly communicated and handled according to established food safety procedures.
• Coordinate the timing and release of dishes so all guests at the table receive their meals together whenever possible.
• Confirm that appropriate garnishes, sauces, condiments, and service pieces accompany each order.
• Immediately communicate missing, delayed, or incorrectly prepared items to culinary and restaurant leadership.

Service Coordination & Communication

• Serve as the primary communication point between the kitchen, servers, food runners, and restaurant leadership during service.
• Organize the kitchen pass and prioritize orders based on ticket times, coursing, guest needs, and operational demands.
• Direct food runners and service team members to ensure dishes are delivered promptly to the correct table and seat.
• Maintain awareness of service flow, large parties, VIP guests, celebrations, and time-sensitive requests.
• Communicate professionally and calmly during periods of high business volume while helping the team maintain an organized and efficient service environment.
• Support Restaurant, In-Room Dining, Pool Dining, private events, and other food and beverage operations as assigned.
• Assist with resolving service delays or order discrepancies before they negatively affect the guest experience.

Cleanliness, Safety & Team Support

• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen pass, expediting station, and surrounding work areas.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, allergen-awareness, workplace safety, and Health Department requirements.
• Ensure plates, trays, service equipment, and surrounding surfaces remain clean and properly maintained.
• Restock necessary service supplies, garnishes, condiments, and equipment before and throughout service.
• Collaborate respectfully with culinary and restaurant team members while demonstrating urgency, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Assist with opening, closing, side-work, and other operational responsibilities as assigned.
• Report safety hazards, equipment concerns, guest issues, and operational deficiencies promptly to leadership.

Position Requirements

• Previous experience in a luxury restaurant, hotel, resort, fine-dining establishment, or high-volume food service environment preferred.
• Familiarity with restaurant service standards, menu terminology, food presentation, coursing, and kitchen operations preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret guest checks, modifications, table numbers, seat positions, and allergy information accurately.
• Strong verbal communication, organization, multitasking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and detail-oriented in a fast-paced service environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with culinary and restaurant teams while giving clear and respectful direction at the kitchen pass.
• Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and allergen procedures.
• California Food Handler Card required or ability to obtain within the required timeframe.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and frequently bend, reach, twist, and perform repetitive motions.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 40 pounds and safely handle hot plates, trays, and service equipment.
• Ability to work around heat, steam, sharp equipment, food products, and potentially slippery surfaces.
• Flexible availability, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime based on business needs.

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Salary Range $18.00 Hourly + Tips

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

This position is currently accepting applications.