Head Waiters
This position may also be called: Head Waiter, Team Head Waiter, Chef de Rang
Dining onboard a cruise ship is often quite an experience. The food is at its finest and the service is excellent, made that way by a Dining Room Head Waiter who carefully oversees the satisfaction of the passengers with promptness and courtesy – and keeps the cruise line happy.
The Head Waiter (often called Chef de Rang) manages and trains all of the Wait Staff within a section of the Dining Room. Various cruise ship restaurants have different needs, but they are usually responsible to:
- Escort guests to their seat.
- Provide them with the menus.
- Make recommendations for wines.
- Answer questions.
- Ensure tables and buffet service is properly set up.
- Maintain inventory.
- Evaluate employees.
Requirements include having a High School Diploma or GED, excellent English and possibly other languages, and previous Head Waiter experience of at least two years on a cruise ship or other five star hotel or restaurant. They must also be computer literate, and may need specialized experience in European hotel service.