Expo / Food Runner

Job Title

The Bartolotta Restaurants is a nationally recognized restaurant and catering organization co-founded by restaurateur Joe Bartolotta and his brother, two-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Paul Bartolotta. Since 1993, The Bartolotta Restaurants has grown to become the premier culinary brand in the Greater Milwaukee region, offering first-class service and cuisine across a portfolio of 17 one-of-a-kind restaurants and catering facilities. As a forward-thinking and respected company, we also give back to our community through Care-a-lotta, a charitable program that supports numerous nonprofit organizations throughout Milwaukee.

At The Bartolotta Restaurants, we are committed to excellence in every aspect of our business, from the products we source to the food and service we deliver every day in our restaurants and catering venues. Our greatest asset in our company is our team members because, without them, we wouldn't be in business.

We look for people who have what we call a "hospitality heart," characterized by a commitment to providing excellence, a passion for taking care of our guests, and a "can-do" attitude. We're a family-run business, and we consider our team members part of The Bartolotta Restaurants family.

Job Purpose

The expo is the final checkpoint in the kitchen before food reaches our guests. They are responsible for ensuring accuracy, presentation, and timely delivery of all items.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures each dish is plated to perfection, following restaurant standards.
• Checks garnishes, accompaniments, portion sizes, and overall plating before a dish leaves the kitchen.
• Catches mistakes before dishes go out, preventing errors, undercooked food, or missing components.
• Prioritizes dishes to ensure courses are delivered in the proper sequence and at the right time.
• Balances the timing between the kitchen and front-of-house, preventing service delays.
• Acts as the middleman between FOH and BOH, ensuring clear and effective communication.
• Relays special requests, modifications, and last-minute changes to avoid errors.
• Ensures food allergies, dietary needs, and special requests are met with precision.
• Maintains composure and efficiency under pressure, keeping service running smoothly.
• Perform side work before, during and after shift as has ended.
• Maintains a clean and organized work area/station.
• Assist other team members and management as needed.
• Assist in maintaining a safe working environment.
• Present professional demeanor in attire, language and attitude.
• Must purchase and wear appropriate uniform.

All Other Duties as Assigned

Requirements

Qualification Requirements:

• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, presentation and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, changing environment.
• Excellent guest service skills
• Pleasant and accommodating personality with continuous and outgoing demeanor
• Communicate with management regarding guest questions and/or comments
• Be able to maintain positive attitude towards each guest and fellow team members and management.
• Promote and participate in a strong team effort.
• Ability to initiate communication effectively with staff and guests.

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

• Restaurant experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:

• Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle and feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to bend, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and reach overhead.
• Walking through dining room on carpeted and hard wood flooring.
• Light/moderate lifting is required.
• Position dictates working in a fast-paced environment and subject to irregular hours including late nights, early mornings, weekends, and holidays.

ADA Disclaimer: In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.