Server

ASADOR BASTIAN

Server | Fine Dining

Eat Well Hospitality | Chicago, Illinois | Hourly, Non-Exempt

ABOUT ASADOR BASTIAN

Asador Bastian is a Chicago chophouse with Basque influences, located in the iconic Flair House, an 1883 River North townhouse. At the heart of our restaurant is live-fire cooking, featuring the world's finest boutique beef and a Barcelona-inspired seafood program.

Recognized as the No. 1 Steak Restaurant in North America (2025) by World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants, Asador Bastian has also earned recognition from The New York Times and Esquire as one of America's best restaurants.

Asador Bastian represents the highest standards of culinary excellence and hospitality within Eat Well Hospitality. Our team is composed of dedicated professionals who take their craft seriously, possess exceptional food and wine knowledge, and share an unwavering commitment to delivering extraordinary guest experiences.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking highly experienced, knowledgeable, and career-driven Servers who bring a sophisticated understanding of food, wine, and fine-dining hospitality.

At Asador Bastian, exceptional food and wine knowledge is not simply preferred — it is an expectation.

Our Servers must possess the confidence and expertise to guide guests through an elevated culinary experience. From explaining the breed, origin, and aging of our boutique beef to recommending wines from our exclusively Spanish wine program, every interaction should reflect preparation, passion, and a deep understanding of the product.

We are looking for accomplished hospitality professionals who are naturally engaging, technically proficient, intellectually curious, and committed to mastering their craft.

This is an opportunity for serious hospitality professionals who want to work at the highest level of food, wine, and service.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Demonstrate Exceptional Food Knowledge

• Possess extensive knowledge of premium beef, including breeds, origins, cuts, aging techniques, flavor profiles, and cooking methods.
• Confidently communicate the distinctions between our boutique beef offerings and guide guests toward selections that match their preferences.
• Develop a thorough understanding of our Basque-inspired cuisine, Barcelona-influenced seafood program, and live-fire cooking techniques.
• Understand ingredients, preparation methods, flavor profiles, and the culinary philosophy behind every dish.
• Articulate menu offerings with accuracy, confidence, and enthusiasm.
• Maintain complete knowledge of allergens, dietary considerations, and menu modifications.
• Actively participate in menu tastings, culinary education, and continued product development.

Bring Advanced Wine & Beverage Expertise

• Demonstrate strong foundational and practical wine knowledge, including grape varietals, regions, producers, vintages, and winemaking techniques.
• Possess a working understanding of Spanish wine regions, with the ability and desire to develop expertise in our exclusively Spanish wine program.
• Confidently discuss wine styles, tasting notes, structure, and food pairings.
• Recommend wines thoughtfully based on guest preferences, menu selections, and occasion.
• Execute professional wine service, including bottle presentation, opening, decanting, and appropriate glassware.
• Demonstrate comfort discussing premium and allocated wines with knowledgeable guests.
• Participate actively in wine education, tastings, and beverage training.
• Continuously expand product knowledge and demonstrate a genuine passion for wine.

Deliver Exceptional Hospitality

• Provide warm, intuitive, and highly personalized service throughout the guest experience.
• Build genuine relationships with guests through confident, engaging, and thoughtful conversation.
• Recognize returning guests, VIPs, celebrations, and special occasions.
• Anticipate guest needs while maintaining professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Adapt service style to each table while consistently upholding Asador Bastian's hospitality standards.

Execute Service with Precision

• Demonstrate mastery of fine-dining service standards, etiquette, coursing, pacing, and table maintenance.
• Maintain exceptional accuracy when communicating orders, allergies, and dietary restrictions.
• Coordinate seamlessly with culinary, beverage, and support teams.
• Manage demanding sections while maintaining composure, organization, and consistency.
• Take full ownership of the guest experience from arrival through departure.

Drive Sales Through Knowledge

• Use extensive food and wine knowledge to confidently recommend premium selections and thoughtful pairings.
• Guide guests through the menu with an understanding of their preferences and the overall dining experience.
• Recognize opportunities to enhance the experience through additional courses, premium beef selections, and wine recommendations.
• Build guest trust through authentic, knowledgeable recommendations rather than transactional selling.
• Understand the importance of check averages, beverage sales, and restaurant performance.

Contribute to a Culture of Excellence

• Arrive prepared, polished, and knowledgeable for every shift.
• Actively participate in preshift education, tastings, and ongoing training.
• Take personal responsibility for continued food and wine education.
• Maintain high standards of accountability, teamwork, and professionalism.
• Support fellow team members and contribute to a disciplined, collaborative service environment.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Extensive Fine-Dining Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of serving experience in established, high-end restaurants with sophisticated food and wine programs.
• Advanced Food Knowledge: Demonstrated expertise in premium proteins, seafood, culinary techniques, ingredients, and menu presentation.
• Strong Wine Knowledge: Ability to confidently discuss wine regions, grape varieties, producers, tasting profiles, and pairings.
• Professional Wine Service: Experience presenting, opening, and serving premium wines, including proper decanting techniques.
• Technical Service Excellence: Mastery of fine-dining etiquette, service sequence, pacing, and table management.
• Exceptional Communication: Ability to communicate complex food and wine information clearly, naturally, and confidently.
• Genuine Hospitality: A natural ability to connect with guests and create memorable, personalized experiences.
• Professional Presence: Confidence, composure, polished presentation, and attention to detail.
• Salesmanship: Proven ability to enhance the guest experience and drive sales through thoughtful recommendations.
• Career Commitment: A serious passion for food, wine, and hospitality with a desire for continued professional growth.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT

• Experience in Michelin-starred, nationally recognized, or award-winning restaurants.
• Extensive knowledge of premium beef, dry-aging, and live-fire cooking.
• Strong familiarity with Spanish wine regions, producers, and varietals.
• CMS, WSET, or comparable wine education or certification.
• Experience selling and serving premium and collectible wines.
• Strong knowledge of seafood, sourcing, and seasonal ingredients.
• Experience with tableside presentations and elevated service techniques.
• Demonstrated history of continued food and beverage education.
• Experience with Toast POS and SevenRooms.
• Multilingual communication skills.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation: Hourly + Tips / Tip Share (where applicable)

Benefits for eligible employees may include:

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k)
• Employee Dining Discounts
• Continued Food & Wine Education
• Professional Development & Training
• Career Growth & Leadership Opportunities

WHY ASADOR BASTIAN?

At Asador Bastian, food and wine knowledge is fundamental to the experience we create.

Our Servers are expected to understand beef with the same depth and confidence that a sommelier understands wine. They can explain the origin and character of a cut, speak intelligently about cooking techniques, and guide guests toward thoughtful pairings from one of the city's most distinctive Spanish wine programs.

We believe great service is built on preparation, curiosity, discipline, and genuine hospitality. We provide an environment where experienced professionals can continue learning, refine their expertise, and work alongside a team that shares their commitment to excellence.

We are looking for professionals who study their craft, take pride in their knowledge, and have the confidence to deliver exceptional food, wine, and hospitality experiences.

If you have the experience, passion, and dedication to perform at this level, we would love to meet you.

Eat Well Hospitality | Asador Bastian

More detail about Asador Bastian part of Eat Well Hospitality