What is the typical role of a busser in a restaurant operation?

• A. Cooking main courses in kitchen.
• B. Managing inventory.
• C. Clearing and resetting tables, delivering dishes to tables, and assisting servers in service areas.
• D. Handling reservations.

Answer: (C)

The key idea being tested is the support role in the dining room that keeps service flowing smoothly. A busser is tasked with clearing away used dishes and debris from tables, resetting the table with clean settings for the next guests, delivering dishes from the kitchen to tables as needed, and assisting servers in the service areas. This combination of clearing, resetting, delivering, and aiding the servers helps maintain fast, organized service and allows servers to focus on greeting guests, taking orders, and attending to guests’ needs.

Other tasks described in the choices don’t fit this role: cooking main courses happens in the kitchen, not on the dining floor; managing inventory is a back-of-house or supervisory function; handling reservations is the job of hosts or reservations staff.