UNCOMMON INSIGHTS

Why Food Service Experience is Your Secret Weapon

When we’re scouting new team members, one unexpected skill set always grabs our attention: food service experience.

At first glance, it might seem unrelated to architecture, but the truth is, working in restaurants teaches resilience, quick thinking, and people skills—all crucial in the design world. Architects, like servers, need to juggle competing demands, navigate high-pressure situations, and create exceptional experiences for clients.

Take Michele, one of our talented designers. We met her while she was serving at a local restaurant and taking CAD classes. Her warmth and curiosity sparked a conversation, which led to an internship the very next week. Seven years later, she’s on the cusp of becoming a licensed architect—a testament to the grit and adaptability she first honed in food service.

Still think waiting tables doesn’t belong on a resume? Think again.

What Food Service Teaches That Architecture Demands

Wondering what waiting tables has to do with design? More than you’d think. Food service builds qualities that are hard to teach but essential to a successful career in architecture.

• Resilience: Managing tight deadlines, high stakes, and competing demands without cracking under pressure.
• Quick Thinking: Solving unexpected challenges with speed and creativity.
• Empathy and Communication: Building rapport, defusing tense situations, and making others feel cared for.

For instance, when a server has to placate an upset customer while coordinating with a busy kitchen and keeping other tables happy, they’re practicing skills directly applicable to architectural work. Managing clients, consultants, and contractors requires the same mix of negotiation, empathy, and effective communication.

Ultimately, our designs are about human connection. The homes and communities we help create are meant to inspire and bring people together. The same can be said for the best in food service—those who thrive aren’t just good at keeping the plates spinning; they’re driven by a desire to serve and make someone’s day better. That spirit resonates with us.

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Interviewing? Here’s How to Uncover Transferable Skills

If you’re hiring, don’t discount candidates with food service experience. Instead, dig deeper into the skills they’ve gained and how those skills translate to your business. Consider asking questions like:

• Can you share a time when you had to balance multiple priorities?
• Can you tell me about a challenging customer interaction and how you got through it?
• Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you resolve it?
• How do you stay organized when things get busy?
• What strategies do you use to ensure excellent service, even under pressure?
• How did you adapt to unexpected changes or challenges during a busy shift?
• Can you provide an example of how you went above and beyond for a customer?

These kinds of questions reveal valuable traits like resilience, problem-solving, and strong communication skills—intangibles that may not appear on a transcript but shine in a workplace setting.

Advice for Job Seekers: Lean Into Your Service Experiences

If you’re job hunting, leave that restaurant experience on your resume—but don’t just let it sit there. Be ready to connect the dots for potential employers, showing how your service skills translate to their needs. Food service experience is a mark of resilience, creativity, and heart—all of which directly apply to tackling design challenges, collaborating effectively, and bringing projects to life.

Leaning into those experiences shows that you’re proud of what they’ve taught you: how to navigate high-pressure environments, manage the unexpected, and make others feel taken care of—all while juggling a dozen priorities at once.

Take it from us: your food service background isn’t just relevant—it’s an asset.

Let’s Build Something Amazing Together

Your food service experience tells a story of resilience, adaptability, and heart—traits we value deeply. If you're ready to bring those skills to the design world, pull up a seat on the Red Bench, and let’s start creating something extraordinary together.