Server - The Ridley

Thompson Hospitality Corp.; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ridley, a Charlottesville-based restaurant located within The Draftsman Boutique Hotel near The University of Virginia, is seeking a Server to deliver welcoming, inclusive dining experiences. Join Thompson Hospitality as part of a team dedicated to hospitality, quality cuisine, and community engagement.

As a Server, you will greet guests, explain menus, accommodate dietary needs, and ensure accurate orders and smooth service in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Server in a fine dining experience.
• A great attitude and work ethic.
• Must be 21 or older to handle alcoholic beverages.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests warmly and provide a welcoming atmosphere upon their arrival.
• Present menus, make recommendations, and answer questions about dishes and beverages.
• Take accurate food and drink orders, ensuring special requests and dietary preferences are accommodated.
• Serve food and beverages to guests with attention to detail and an emphasis on guest satisfaction.
• Handle payments and process transactions efficiently, providing excellent customer service.

Skills

Server experience

Customer service

Communication

Job description

Overview

Join the service team at The Ridley, Charlottesville's destination for high-quality American fare, local beer, and craft cocktails. Located within The Draftsman Boutique Hotel near The University of Virginia, The Ridley is not just a restaurant but a tribute to Dr. Walter Ridley, the first Black student to graduate from UVA and receive a graduate degree from any major historically white public university in the South. As a Server, you will play a pivotal role in creating a welcoming and inclusive dining experience for our guests. Your warm hospitality, knowledge of the menu, and genuine passion for providing exceptional service will ensure that every guest feels valued and appreciated at The Ridley.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests warmly and provide a welcoming atmosphere upon their arrival.
• Present menus, make recommendations, and answer questions about dishes and beverages.
• Take accurate food and drink orders, ensuring special requests and dietary preferences are accommodated.
• Serve food and beverages to guests with attention to detail and an emphasis on guest satisfaction.
• Handle payments and process transactions efficiently, providing excellent customer service.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Server in a fine dining experience.
• A great attitude and work ethic.
• Must be 21 or older to handle alcoholic beverages.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk continuously for extended periods during shifts.
• Frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and twisting.
• Ability to lift and carry trays, dishes, and supplies weighing up to 25–35 pounds.
• Manual dexterity to handle glassware, plates, and service tools safely.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Tolerance for exposure to heat, noise, and crowded spaces.
• Ability to navigate dining areas quickly and safely.
• Strong balance and coordination while carrying food and beverages.
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Who We Are

The Ridley is a Charlottesville-based restaurant located within The Draftsman Boutique Hotel near The University of Virginia. As part of Thompson Hospitality, the nation's largest minority-owned food and facilities management company, we take pride in being one of Charlottesville's Black-owned restaurants, paying homage to Dr. Walter Ridley, a trailblazer in education. Our menu is designed with inclusivity in mind, offering a modern Southern dining experience that celebrates diversity and brings people together through food.

Thompson Hospitality

is of the largest restaurants, food service, and facilities management companies in the country. We are highly built upon our values, do the right thing, do the best you can, and treat others how you want to be treated, which are shaped by more than 33 years of relationships with our clients, guests, and communities. We offer competitive benefits, see our website for more. https://www.thompsonhospitality.com/

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.