Food Expeditor (Expo) - La Serre

Job Description

Job Description

Brought to you by DineAmic Hospitality and situated in Chicago’s West Loop, La Serre and Bar La Rue offer a transportive dining and cocktail experience inspired by the charm and sophistication of the French Mediterranean. La Serre features French-inspired cuisine in an elegant, garden-like setting, while Bar La Rue provides a lively atmosphere for expertly crafted cocktails and elevated bites—creating a destination that seamlessly transitions from dinner to drinks.

La Serre is seeking a Food Expeditors who will ensure efficient kitchen operations by coordinating the flow of food from the kitchen to the dining room. Acting as the communication hub between culinary and front-of-house teams, Expeditors ensure all food is prepared, plated, and delivered according to company standards for quality, accuracy, presentation, and timing.

Successful candidates thrive in fast-paced, high-volume environments and demonstrate exceptional organization, attention to detail, urgency, and communication skills. Expeditors help maintain service flow, monitor ticket times, identify bottlenecks, and support both kitchen and dining room teams to ensure a seamless guest experience.

Essential Responsibilities & Duties

• Coordinate and control the flow of food from the kitchen to the dining room to ensure proper pacing, accuracy, and timely service.
• Organize and prioritize tickets to maintain proper pacing and course timing throughout service.
• Coordinate communication between kitchen stations to ensure orders are completed and plated simultaneously.
• Verify all dishes for accuracy, presentation, temperature, modifications, and allergen requirements before leaving the kitchen.
• Communicate clearly with chefs, cooks, food runners, servers, and managers regarding ticket status, delays, special requests, and service priorities.
• Monitor ticket times and communicate delays, bottlenecks, and service priorities to kitchen and front-of-house teams.
• Ensure all modifications, dietary restrictions, and allergy accommodations are properly communicated and executed.
• Maintain strong knowledge of menu items, ingredients, preparation methods, and presentation standards.
• Assist with final plate presentation, garnishing, and quality control as directed by kitchen leadership.
• Coordinate with food runners to ensure food is delivered promptly and accurately.
• Support kitchen operations by maintaining organization and cleanliness throughout the expo line and surrounding service areas.
• Assist with opening, running, and closing duties as assigned.
• Follow all company policies, food safety standards, sanitation guidelines, and kitchen procedures.
• Support a positive and collaborative working relationship between front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
• Contribute positively to team morale and support fellow team members during high-volume periods.
• Additional duties as needed within the scope of the role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Previous expo, line cook, food runner, or kitchen experience in a high-volume restaurant required
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, ticket management, and service flow.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, allergens, and food handling procedures.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business demands.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8+ hours per shift).
• Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 40 pounds (large trays, multiple plates).
• Continuous movement in a fast-paced environment.
• Frequent bending, reaching, and maneuvering through tight spaces.
• Ability to work safely around hot surfaces, sharp equipment, and kitchen machinery.
• Must be able to work in a hot, noisy, and high-volume environment.

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Adaptability
• Communication Skills
• Emotional Intelligence
• Integrity
• Personal Development
• Professionalism
• Self-Management
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Technical Proficiency with computers and POS systems

Benefits + Perks

• Paid Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Commuter Benefits
• 401K + Match
• Company-paid Employee Assistance Program
• Food & Beverage Discounts

DineAmic Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.