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Food Runner
Company : Highgate
Location : Princeton, NJ, 08542
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 8 January 2026
Compensation Type
HourlyHighgate Hotels
Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $15 billion of assets under management and a global portfolio of more than 400 hotels spanning North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
With a 30-year track record as an innovator in the hospitality industry, this forward-thinking company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate continues to demonstrate success in developing a diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts, featuring contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value.
With an executive team of seasoned hospitality leaders and corporate offices worldwide, Highgate is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. www.highgate.com
Location
Graduate Princeton - Princeton, NJ
Overview
As a Food Runner at Graduate Princeton, you will play a key role in delivering an exceptional dining experience by ensuring food and beverages are served promptly, accurately, and with a warm Graduate welcome. You’ll act as the link between our kitchen and dining team delivering dishes, assisting servers, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring guest satisfaction.
Responsibilities
- Deliver food and beverages promptly and accurately from kitchen/expediting stations to assigned tables.
- Assist waitstaff by setting tables, providing necessary utensils, napkins, condiments, and even offering refills.
- Clear and reset tables, helping maintain cleanliness and flow in the dining area.
- Act as a liaison between kitchen and front-of-house, ensuring dish accuracy, attention to modifications (e.g., allergies), and seamless communication.
- Check on guests addressing satisfaction, taking impromptu requests, and reporting any issues to management.
- Maintain sanitization and safety standards, including proper handling of plateware and cleanliness of service areas.
Qualifications
Previous hospitality or restaurant experience preferred, but not required
Strong communication and teamwork skills
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and lift/carry up to 35 lbs
Positive attitude with a genuine desire to provide excellent guest service
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business requires
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Frequently asked questions
In Princeton's bustling restaurant scene, food runners streamline service by coordinating closely with kitchen staff and servers, ensuring swift delivery and minimizing wait times. Their ability to stay organized and anticipate needs keeps the dining room flowing even during peak hours.
While not always mandatory, obtaining a Food Handler’s Permit or ServSafe certification is highly valued in New Jersey’s hospitality sector. These credentials demonstrate knowledge of sanitation and food safety, enhancing employability for food runner positions.
Food runners must be prepared to stand and walk for extended shifts, often carrying plates up to 35 pounds. Maintaining energy and focus in a fast-paced environment is crucial to delivering timely, high-quality service.
Starting as a food runner can open doors to roles like server, host, or supervisory positions within Highgate’s diverse portfolio. Demonstrating reliability and teamwork often leads to growth opportunities in hotel and restaurant operations.
Highgate emphasizes innovative, guest-focused service, so food runners at Graduate Princeton are encouraged to offer personalized interactions and maintain high standards, contributing to a memorable dining environment aligned with the company’s lifestyle brands.
Highgate’s food runners benefit from working within a globally recognized hospitality management company, gaining exposure to advanced revenue tools and a culture of innovation, which may not be as prevalent in smaller, independent Princeton restaurants.
Food runners in Princeton typically earn between $14 and $18 per hour, depending on experience and establishment. At Highgate-managed properties like Graduate Princeton, hourly pay tends to be competitive within this range, reflecting the company’s commitment to quality staff.
Princeton’s hospitality scene is vibrant with steady demand for food runner roles, especially in well-known hotels and restaurants. While competition exists, candidates who show flexibility and guest service aptitude stand out.
Food runners act as vital communicators between kitchen and guests, carefully verifying any allergy notes or modifications before delivering dishes to ensure accuracy and guest safety, thus enhancing the overall dining experience.
Managing timely delivery during rush periods and maintaining clear communication with kitchen and waitstaff are typical challenges. Adaptability, attention to detail, and a positive attitude help food runners meet these demands effectively.