The main difference between steward and waiter is that a steward is in charge of all dining operations in a restaurant or hotel dining room while a waiter takes orders and delivers food to customers.
Steward and waiter are two different job positions in the food and beverage industry. The word steward has many meanings, all in different fields. In the hotel field, a steward position is equal to that of a maître d’hôtel. Waiting staff, on the other hand, rank somewhere below stewards.
Key Areas Covered
1. Who is Steward
– Definition, Resoponsibilities
2. Who is a Waiter
– Definition, Resoponsibilities
3. Difference Between Steward and Waiter
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Hotel, Steward, Waiter
Who is a Steward
The word steward actually has many meanings. All of these are positions that involve different duties and responsibilities. For example, the term steward can refer to an attendant on a plane, train, or ship. An air steward is similar to a flight attendant. The word steward can also refer to a person who manages the property and other affairs for someone else. Another meaning of steward is keeper or custodian; in this context, a steward is in charge of buildings, grounds, or animals. In addition, a steward in a ship refers to a ship’s officer who manages provisions and dining arrangements.
Stewards in Hotel and Restaurant Field
In the hotel industry, steward is a position of person in charge of all dining operations in a restaurant or public dining room. This is equal to the maître d’hôtel. Stewards are responsible for all dining and customer service operations, except kitchen and cooking operations. They are also in charge of reservations – scheduling reservations over the phone or the internet. In addition, they are in charge of assigning different areas of the dining room to specific wait staff, ensuring the quality of the service, and resolve any problems faced by the guests.
Who is a Waiter
A waiter is someone who serves customers at their tables in a restaurant. We call a female waiter a waitress. Their main responsibility is to take orders and deliver food to customers. In addition, they carry out various tasks such as polishing dishes and silverware, cleaning and restocking workstations. A good waiter can also help out the customers by recommending the best food on the menu.
Furthermore, the waiting staff at a hotel or a restaurant usually have to follow the guidelines and the orders of the managers. Most waiters and waitresses wear uniforms. Most restaurants encourage tipping. Tips may also be a major or minor part of their earnings.
Difference Between Steward and Waiter
Definition
A steward in the hotel/ food and beverage industry is in charge of all dining operations in a restaurant or hotel dining room while a waiter takes orders and delivers food to customers.
Duties
Stewards are in charge of all dining and customer service operations, except the kitchen. Moreover, they greet guests, schedule reservations, assign different areas of the dining room to specific wait staff, ensure the quality of the service, and resolve any problems faced by the guests. Waiters, on the other hand, take orders, delivers food to customers, arrange tables, polish dishes, and silverware, clean, and restock workstations.
Rank
Waiters are somewhat in a lower rank than stewards. Stewards can give orders to waiters.
Conclusion
The main difference between steward and waiter is that a steward is in charge of all dining operations in a restaurant or hotel dining room while a waiter takes orders and delivers food to customers.
Reference:
1. Damewood, Cassie L. “What Is a Hotel Steward? (with Pictures).” Practical Adult Insights.
2. “Waiting Staff.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 May 2021.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Dining area, hotel, restaurant, seat, cafeteria, luxury, table, dining, interior design, furniture” (CC0) via Pixino
2. “Waiter in a restaurant, Paris 2011” By Florian Plag – Flickr: Serve chilled. (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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