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Banquet Server Interview Questions

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Banquet Server interview questions and answers.

  1. What approach do you take to keeping a clean environment when serving? See answer
  2. How do you handle a difficult or demanding guest? See answer
  3. How do you handle guests that have food sensitivities or allergies? See answer
  4. When serving large tables over eight guests, how do you memorise drink and food orders? See answer
  5. What experience do you have cooking in front of guests as a banquet server? See answer
  6. Do you have any food handling training or certifications? See answer
  7. Describe a time you saw a fellow server struggling to manage their tables. What did you do? See answer
  8. Describe your experience mixing drinks for guests. See answer
  9. What process do you follow to learn meal ingredients? See answer
  10. Describe the cleaning duties you are familiar with performing as a banquet server. See answer
  11. How do you contribute to the success of the banquet team? See answer
  12. What is your key to successfully communicating with the public? See answer
  13. Why did you apply with our company as a banquet server? See answer
  14. What is your experience in setting up for room for an event?
  15. Describe a time you couldn’t understand a guest’s requests. How did you handle the situation?
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Hire your next Banquet Server today.

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Hire your next Banquet Server today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Banquet Server Interview Questions and Answers

What approach do you take to keeping a clean environment when serving?

An effective banquet server must keep tables and surfaces clean throughout the event. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to watch for messes, spot clean as needed, and provide a sanitary environment for food service. What to look for in an answer:

  • A proactive approach to cleaning by carrying cloths or have them supplied nearby
  • Ability to maintain a safe and sanitary food service area
  • Interest in providing a positive customer experience for guests

Example:

 "When I'm on the floor serving, I always keep a few wiping cloths in my apron or tuck a few aside someplace close. This was I can spot clean as soon as I see a mess."

How do you handle a difficult or demanding guest?

Since a banquet server is dealing with a large number of guests, they will occasionally need to handle a demanding guest. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to dealing with a difficult customer. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills to ask questions and understand the guest's requests
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport with guests
  • Interest in providing a positive guest experience

Example:

 "Whenever I'm handling a difficult guest, I make sure to remain calm and pleasant. I focus on doing my best to accommodate what they want, as they are a facility guest. I also focus on not taking their demeanour personally."

How do you handle guests that have food sensitivities or allergies?

A banquet server must be aware of guests with food sensitivities or allergies and handle their food appropriately. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's expertise in handling special food requests. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to memorise menu ingredients with a focus on allergens
  • Food handling safety protocols to avoid cross-contamination
  • Awareness of guests who require special meals

Example:

 "Depending on the room set-up, I will familiarise myself with my tables and any guests with special dietary needs. During service, I have a habit of serving the special meals first so that they end up with the correct guests and aren't accidentally given away to someone else."

When serving large tables over eight guests, how do you memorise drink and food orders?

A banquet server must be able to memorise drink and meal orders for multiple guests accurately. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's process for managing a large number of guest orders. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to accurately memorise a significant quantity of table orders
  • A systematic approach to remembering individual orders
  • Communication skills to speak with guests to determine their choices

Example:

 "The process I follow when memorizing a table's order is to start at the side closest to the kitchen and work clockwise around the table. I follow this system for both meal and drink orders. Then, when I return to the table with a drink or meal service, I present their order in the same manner."

What experience do you have cooking in front of guests as a banquet server?

Depending on your company, you may require a banquet server to prepare certain dishes directly in front of the guests. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's level of comfort and expertise in cooking in public. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to follow proper food safety and sanitation protocol
  • Basic meal preparation skills to cook in public
  • Communication skills to ask guests about their food choices

Example:

"I have several years experience working on a banquet line cooking specific dishes. For example, I've worked at an omelette station, crepe station, and even made milkshakes. I've also worked at the meat station, carving prime rib."

Do you have any food handling training or certifications?

Depending on your company's operations and location, you may require a banquet server to have specific educational requirements or food safety certifications. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's training background and formal qualifications. What to look for in an answer:

  • Completion of government-regulated food safety and sanitation certification
  • Completion of company-specific educational requirements, as needed
  • Interest to learn safe food handling procedures, if not known

Example:

"I have completed two different Alberta training programmes to work as a banquet server. I have my ProServe certification, which allows me to serve alcoholic beverages. And I've completed a food handling and safety certification programme to ensure proper serving of all food."

What is your experience in setting up a room for an event?

Along with the actual serving during an event, a banquet server may also need to set up and take down an event room before the occasion. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's experience in preparation and clean up after a banquet event. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in performing physical duties, such as setting tables, placing chairs, and placing banquet tables
  • Experience in setting up and taking down banquet rooms
  • Understanding of the full scope of duties and responsibilities of a banquet server

Example:

"In my previous banquet server positions, it was required for all banquet staff to help in setting up a room. This included moving tables into position, placing chairs, and setting the tables for service."

Describe a time you saw a fellow server struggling to manage their tables. What did you do?

A banquet server works with others to provide food and beverage service to a significant number of guests during an event. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's awareness of their team members and willingness to offer help when possible. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in helping a coworker out when possible
  • Awareness of the current surroundings to be proactive with staff and guests
  • Desire to provide a positive guest experience by helping other colleagues

Example:

"I was working with a new team member at my previous position who wasn't experienced with serving such a large amount of people at the table. After I completed my tables, I went over to help them out until they were caught up."

Describe your experience mixing drinks for guests.

A banquet server must be able to mix drinks and serve beverages to their guest effectively and accurately. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's expertise in bartending and serving drinks. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of basic alcoholic drinks, such as cocktails, beers, and wines
  • Experience or training in serving alcoholic beverages safely and following local regulations
  • Ability to memorise drink orders of guests

Example:

"I'm familiar with mixing basic highballs and cocktails. I'm also comfortable with serving beers, wines, and other bottled beverages, such as ciders or coolers. I have a valid certificate in Manitoba to serve alcoholic beverages."

What process do you follow to learn meal ingredients?

A banquet server must be familiar with the basic ingredients in each meal in case of guest food allergies or sensitivities. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to learning meal ingredients. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to remember key ingredients of all served dishes
  • Communication skills to ask questions about ingredients and preparation methods
  • Ability to relay important ingredients to guests as needed

Example:

"When I start my shift, the first thing I do is review what's on the menu that evening. I'll go talk to the kitchen to familiarise myself with anything new or to refresh my memory. Then, as I go about preparing for the evening, I'm going over the menu in my head."

Describe the cleaning duties you are familiar with performing as a banquet server.

A banquet server must maintain a clean dining space for guests by clearing tables, washing down counters, and maintaining general cleanliness. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to the cleaning duties required of the position. What to look for in an answer:

  • A systematic approach to keeping a clean dining environment
  • Interest in creating a positive guest experience
  • Awareness of safe food handling practises and cross-contamination avoidance

Example:

"As a banquet server for over five years, I'm very familiar with maintaining a clean work environment. I keep tables clean by removing dirty dishes and utensils, cleaning up any messes as they happen, and restocking napkins and other essentials. I also..."

How do you contribute to the success of the banquet team?

A banquet server is one person within a large team and everyone must perform for a successful event. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to contribute positively to the banquet team. What to look for in an answer:

  • A positive and enthusiastic attitude about the position
  • Desire to contribute to the team and overall success of events
  • Willingness to go above the minimum expectations of the position

Example:

"When I perform my duties and tasks to the best of my ability, I'm contributing to the success of the team. I also believe in exceeding a guest's expectations, so I try to always do something above what's expected. This includes helping out my coworkers if I see they're struggling."

What is your key to successfully communicating with the public?

A banquet server must be confident in speaking with guests about their meal choices, beverage selection, and answering questions. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's communication abilities to ask questions and hold a conversation with others effectively. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to speak with others, ask questions, and be understood
  • Listening skills to understand what guests are saying
  • A positive and confident demeanour when speaking with guests

Example:

"Since a banquet facility can be quite noisy, the key for successful communication is to make eye contact and pay attention to what the guest is saying. I give them my full focus for that moment."

Describe a time you couldn't understand a guest's requests. How did you handle the situation?

A banquet server may struggle on occasion to understand a guest, either due to a noisy environment or a language or communication barrier. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to an intelligible request. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to remain calm and patient when speaking with guests
  • Flexibility to adapt communication styles to the environment or guest
  • Interest in providing a positive guest experience to all customers

Example:

"I once had a guest who had hearing aids and the environment was so loud. I felt bad that we couldn't understand one another. So I kneeled down and spoke very close to them while keeping eye contact. And then..."

Why did you apply with our company as a banquet server?

The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's motivation for application and what research they've completed about the company and job description. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in completing research about the company before the interview
  • Awareness of motivating factors for application
  • Understanding the full scope of duties and responsibilities for the position

Example:

"My interest in applying for the position is motivated by the types of events that your company is known for. Your reputation is known for proving high-quality, beautifully decorated events that offer amazing food and beverage options. I want to be a part of a company like yours that provides memorable events."

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