Kelner

Kelner is the Polish term for a person who serves guests in a dining establishment, such as a restaurant, café, or hotel dining room. In Polish usage, the male form is kelner and the female form is kelnerka. The role is a frontline position in the hospitality industry, with equivalents in many languages (such as waiter or waitress).

Duties of a kelner include greeting customers, presenting menus, and taking orders. They serve food and beverages, deliver dishes to tables, and check in with guests to ensure satisfaction. Kelners may handle bill presentation and payment, clear and reset tables, and maintain dining area cleanliness. They need knowledge of the menu, ingredients, and potential allergens, and may assist with wine or drink pairings. In many establishments, they also engage in upselling of specials and coordinate with kitchen staff to ensure timely service. The work is typically performed in a fast-paced environment and often requires working evenings, weekends, and holidays. Physical stamina and good communication are important.

Training for kelner positions is frequently on the job, though vocational hospitality programs and hotel/restaurant management courses exist. Career paths can lead to senior serving roles, supervisory positions, or management roles such as head waiter or maître d’hôtel.

Etymology: the Polish kelner is borrowed from the German Kellner, which denotes a waiter. See also waiter, waitress, and maître d’hôtel.