Restaurant: Carnatic Cafe – South Indian Pure Vegetarian Restaurant

Position: Food Runner / KOT Handler

Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time

Reports To: Restaurant Manager / Kitchen Supervisor / Chef

Position Overview

We are looking for a reliable, organized, and energetic Food Runner / KOT Handler to support the smooth day-to-day operation of our kitchen and dining service.

The successful candidate will be responsible for receiving, organizing, monitoring, and coordinating Kitchen Order Tickets (KOTs), ensuring that food is prepared and delivered according to the correct order, table, and customer requirements.

A good understanding of South Indian cuisine and common South Indian dishes is required to accurately identify orders, coordinate with the kitchen team, and ensure timely food service.

Key Responsibilities

- Receive and carefully review KOTs / kitchen orders generated through the POS system.
- Organize and prioritize orders according to their sequence, table number, order type, and preparation time.
- Coordinate continuously with the chef and kitchen team regarding pending, ongoing, and completed orders.
- Ensure that all items on the KOT are prepared correctly before sending them to the dining area.
- Check food against the KOT before running it to the customer.
- Deliver food promptly to the correct table or customer.
- Communicate any missing, delayed, modified, or unavailable items to the manager and service team.
- Monitor the kitchen order flow during busy periods and help prevent delays or missed items.
- Understand common South Indian dishes such as dosa, idli, vada, uttapam, sambar, rasam, pongal, upma, South Indian rice varieties, curries, chutneys, and other menu items.
- Understand common customer modifications and special requests, including Jain, Swaminarayan, no onion/no garlic, and allergy-related notes, and ensure these are clearly communicated to the kitchen.
- Coordinate dine-in, takeout, catering, and other kitchen orders as assigned.




- Ensure takeout orders are checked against the ticket before being handed over to the customer or delivery driver.
- Maintain proper communication between the front-of-house and kitchen teams.
- Keep the KOT/order area organized and ensure completed tickets are properly cleared or marked as completed.
- Assist with basic dining-area support, table clearing, and maintaining cleanliness when required.
- Follow all restaurant food safety, hygiene, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures.
- Report order errors, customer concerns, equipment issues, or kitchen delays to the manager promptly.
- Perform other reasonable duties required to support smooth restaurant operations.

Required Skills & Qualifications
- Previous experience as a Food Runner, KOT Handler, Kitchen Assistant, Server, or Restaurant Team Member is preferred.
- Good knowledge of South Indian cuisine.
- Ability to quickly learn and recognize restaurant menu items.
- Ability to read and understand KOTs and POS-generated orders accurately.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately under pressure.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced restaurant setting.
- Physically able to stand and walk for extended periods and safely carry food trays/orders.
- Reliable, punctual, and responsible.
- Customer-service-oriented attitude.
- Food Handler Certificate is an asset.

Key Performance Expectations The Food Runner / KOT Handler is expected to ensure: Right Order → Right Items → Right Table/Customer → Right Time

Accuracy, speed, communication, and teamwork are essential to this position.

Working Environment

This is a fast-paced South Indian vegetarian restaurant environment. The employee will work closely with the kitchen, servers, managers, and customers and must be able to remain organized and calm during busy service periods.

Core Qualities We Value

- Accuracy
- Speed
- Teamwork
- Good Communication
- Knowledge of South Indian Food
- Customer Focus
- Cleanliness & Food Safety
- Reliability & Punctuality

Pay: Up to $17.60 per hour Expected hours: 25.0 – 50.0 per week

Benefits

- Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person

📌 Food Runner/Busser and Helper (Oakville)
🏢 Shree Lakshmi Holdings
📍 Oakville