Food server

Food servers are individuals who serve food and drink as their professional occupation. Male food servers are often referred to as waiters, while female food servers are called... wait for it... yes, waitresses. Food servers are usually employed by any eatery licensed to prepare and serve food to the general public including restaurants, diners, fast food establishments, buffets and even catered events. In the United States as well as several other countries, food servers generally receive a small wage for their efforts, with the bulk of their income being generated through tips. The acceptible allowance for tipping can be anywhere from 15 to 18% depending upon the level of service.

On the CW Network television series The Vampire Diaries, one of the principal settings for the show is an eatery called the Mystic Grill. A woman named Vicki Donovan worked there as a waitress.

Another TV series that focused on food servers is the 2008 HBO series True Blood. One of the central settings of the show is Merlotte Bar and Grill, owned and operated by one Sam Merlotte. Although he has a relatively small staff of food preparers and waitresses, they have all made an indelible mark on the show's varied storylines. The most notable of waitresses at Merlotte's is Sookie Stackhouse - a telepath and the main character of the series. Othe frequently seen waitresses include Arlene Fowler - a fiery redhead with a temper to match, Holly Cleary - a witch of the Wiccan tradition, Dawn Green - a busty waitress who is murdered by Rene Lenier, Amy Burley - a flash-in-the-pan food server who replaced Dawn Green (also killed by Rene) and Tara Thornton, a former bartender. Food preparers seen on the show include the flamboyant Lafayette Reynolds, Terry Bellefleur - a disturbed Iraqi war veteran and a seldom seen short-order cook named John.