Restaurant Server Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The pay rate for this role is $16.90 per hour

About Appellation

Born from the elegant merger of the culinary and hospitality worlds, Appellation is much more than a typical hotel company. Inspired by its name, this new hotel brand brings together the best of local elements in a new way: a hotel collection powered by people, connected by food, and defined by place—all designed to celebrate its destinations’ culture, community, and craftsmanship. Developed by visionary co-founders Charlie Palmer, one of America’s best-known, award-winning chefs and pioneer in the American hotel-restaurant model, and Christopher Hunsberger, a 30-year veteran of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and its former president of North Americas. Join Appellation as its first hotels and resorts take root in 2025.

Overview of Position:

The Server Assistant supports the service team by ensuring a clean, organized, and efficient dining environment. Responsibilities include clearing and resetting tables, assisting with food running, and supporting guest service throughout the shift. This is a non-exempt, hourly role that complies with California wage and hour laws and may participate in a valid tip pool if the employer has one in place.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Guest Support & Table Maintenance

• Clear and clean tables promptly after guests depart.
• Reset tables in accordance with restaurant standards.
• Maintain cleanliness in the dining room, service stations, and restrooms.

Service Assistance

• Deliver water, bread, condiments, or utensils to guests as needed.
• Assist servers in delivering food and beverages to tables.
• Respond to guest requests in a courteous and prompt manner.

Team Collaboration

• Assist with restocking silverware, glassware, and service stations.
• Support host, server, and kitchen teams during peak periods.
• Communicate guest needs and issues to servers or management promptly.

Compliance & Safety

• Follow all food safety and sanitation procedures as required by local and state health regulations.
• Report any unsafe conditions or guest incidents to management.
• Comply with California labor laws, including:
• Meal and rest periods.
• Accurate timekeeping.
• Proper hygiene and safety standards.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Prior experience in a restaurant or hospitality setting preferred, but not required.
• Friendly, professional demeanor and strong work ethic.
• Ability to multitask and remain organized under pressure.
• Able to follow directions and work as part of a team.
• Must be at least 16 years old (18+ if operating certain equipment).
• Must possess or obtain a California Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Certification if serving alcohol (required as of 2022).
• Under California Food Handler Card Law (SB 602), server assistants must have a valid California Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire.

Working Conditions:

• Frequent walking, standing, bending, and lifting.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs and occasionally carry trays or bus tubs.
• Exposure to cleaning supplies, kitchen heat, and busy dining room environments.
• Availability for evenings, weekends, and holidays is required.

Compensation & Classification:

• Non-exempt, part-time, hourly position.
• Paid at or above the California minimum wage (state or local rate applies).
• Eligible for overtime pay, meal/rest period premiums, and participates in the tip pool.

The pay rate for this role is $16.90 per hour

Essential Functions:

To perform the duties and requirements for this job, you must have the following physical abilities:

• Sit and stand for extended periods of time, walk up and down stairs
• Enter data into a computer terminal, operate standard office equipment, and use telephone
• See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids
• Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone
• Speak so that others may understand at normal levels and on the telephone
• Constant: sitting, standing and repetitive use of hands, arms, and legs
• Frequent: typing, use of mouse, bending of neck, climbing stairs
• Occasional: twisting of neck

You must have the ability to lift up to 25 pounds, bend, stoop, and reach; lift and carry equipment and supplies; walking daily up and down the stairs and sitting for periods up to 4 hours and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with or without reasonable accommodations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Appellation Hotels is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants regardless of race, color, national original, ancestry, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status considered unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.