Food Runner / Busser

Company Description

Forget About Hospitality invites guests to step away from the everyday pace, leave the noise behind, and enjoy being fully present.

Designed for New York and rooted in Italian hospitality, the concept centers on high-quality Italian cuisine, a warm and sophisticated atmosphere, and a seamless journey from aperitivo through dinner and after-dinner experiences.

The name “Forget About It” reinterprets a classic New York expression as an invitation to let go, savor the moment, and embrace an experience shaped by food, people, and ambiance. Blending Italian identity, an international spirit, and a modern vision of hospitality, Forget About It is an attitude-driven, experience-focused destination.

Role Description

The Food Runner / Busser is a full-time or part-time, on-site position based in New York City. This role supports the dining room team by ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of food, maintaining clean and properly prepared tables, and helping service flow smoothly throughout each shift.

The Food Runner / Busser serves as an essential connection among the kitchen, dining room, and bar. Depending on the assigned role and shift, responsibilities may include checking and delivering dishes, announcing food to guests, clearing completed courses, resetting tables, replenishing water and service items, and maintaining clean and organized service stations.

The ideal candidate is energetic, reliable, attentive to detail, and comfortable working with urgency in a fast-paced environment. This is a hands-on position requiring constant movement, clear communication, teamwork, and a genuine commitment to hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

Food Running:

• Deliver food promptly, accurately, and professionally while maintaining presentation standards.

• Verify each order before leaving the kitchen and confirm that dishes are complete, correctly garnished, and served at the appropriate temperature.

• Maintain awareness of table numbers, seat positions, allergies, dietary restrictions, modifications, and special requests.

• Announce and describe dishes clearly and professionally when delivering food.

• Ensure guests have the appropriate utensils, condiments, and accompaniments.

• Inspect plates before service and immediately communicate inconsistencies or quality concerns to the kitchen or management.

• Maintain communication with Chefs, Servers, and Managers regarding table timing and service flow.

• Ensure prepared food is delivered promptly and is not left waiting unnecessarily at the pass.

Bussing and Table Maintenance:

• Clear completed courses promptly, carefully, and unobtrusively.

• Reset and prepare tables quickly and accurately according to Company standards.

• Maintain clean, orderly, and properly presented tables throughout the guest experience.

• Replenish water, tableware, napkins, and other service items when required.

• Remove used plates, glassware, utensils, and other items safely and efficiently.

• Transport dishes and service items to the appropriate cleaning or storage areas.

• Maintain clean and organized dining-room stations, service areas, and traffic routes.

• Support efficient table turns without making guests feel rushed.

Service Support:

• Assist Servers and Bartenders during busy service periods.

• Monitor the dining room and anticipate reasonable guest and service needs.

• Restock service stations with plates, utensils, napkins, glassware, and other supplies.

• Polish plates, utensils, glassware, and service equipment when required.

• Complete assigned opening, side-work, restocking, cleaning, and closing responsibilities.

• Support efficient coordination among the dining room, kitchen, bar, and management teams.

• Respond promptly and professionally to requests from guests, Managers, and other team members.

• Participate actively in menu, allergy, food-safety, and service training.

Service Standards and Teamwork:

• Demonstrate urgency without sacrificing accuracy, safety, or presentation.

• Protect the quality, temperature, appearance, and integrity of every dish.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional appearance.

• Communicate clearly and respectfully with all departments.

• Remain composed and solution-oriented during high-volume service.

• Contribute to a respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and positive workplace culture.

• Represent the hospitality standards and service philosophy of Forget About It at all times.

Compliance and Safety:

• Follow all New York City Department of Health food-handling and sanitation requirements.

• Follow Company procedures concerning allergens, dietary restrictions, and special requests.

• Handle hot plates, trays, glassware, sharp objects, and service equipment safely.

• Maintain safe and unobstructed traffic flow throughout the restaurant.

• Immediately report spills, injuries, broken items, hazards, or unsafe conditions.

• Follow all applicable emergency and evacuation procedures.

Qualifications

• Previous restaurant, hospitality, bussing, or food-running experience is preferred but not required.

• Ability to work efficiently and accurately in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

• Strong communication, teamwork, organizational, and time-management skills.

• Excellent attention to detail and awareness of food presentation.

• Positive, professional, reliable, and solution-oriented attitude.

• Ability to memorize table numbers, seat positions, menu items, ingredients, and service procedures.

• Experience in an upscale casual or fine-dining restaurant is highly beneficial.

• Basic knowledge of food presentation, allergens, ingredients, and service etiquette is preferred.

• Familiarity with Italian cuisine and Italian-style hospitality is a plus.

• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Authorization to work in the United States.

Employment Details

• Employment type: Full-time or part-time, based on business needs.

• Location: New York City, New York.

• Classification: Non-exempt, tipped employee.

• Compensation: $15.00 per hour cash wage, plus tips, for guaranteed total compensation of at least $17.00 per hour.

• This position participates in the Company’s Front of House tip pool, subject to applicable law and the Company’s written Tip Pool Policy.

• Tip-pool allocations vary depending on whether the employee is assigned as a Food Runner or Busser. Food Runner assignments receive a higher tip-pool allocation than Busser assignments.

• When an employee performs both roles, eligible hours are allocated according to the role actually performed during those hours.

• If cash wages and tips do not reach the applicable New York City minimum wage, the Company will pay the required difference.

• Tips may exceed the guaranteed minimum and will be distributed in accordance with eligible hours, assigned duties, and the Company’s written Tip Pool Policy.

• Overtime is paid at the legally required rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

• Eligible employees accrue paid protected time in accordance with applicable New York State and New York City law and Company policy.

• Scheduled opening: end of November 2026

The stated cash wage reflects the base hourly compensation that Forget About Hospitality reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting. Applicable wage rates, tip credits, minimum-wage requirements, and overtime calculations will be administered in accordance with applicable law.

Physical Requirements

This position requires prolonged periods of standing and walking, frequent bending, reaching, squatting, and repetitive movement, and the ability to lift and carry trays, plates, beverage items, and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.

The role requires continuous movement between the dining room, kitchen, bar, and service areas, with exposure to hot surfaces, kitchen equipment, glassware, wet floors, temperature changes, and moderate noise levels.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Forget About Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, New York State, or New York City law.