Restaurant jobs in the Caribbean

Where the jobs are

Most restaurant jobs in the Caribbean are close to the visitors: in hotel and resort restaurants, beach bars, and independent restaurants in the main tourist areas. A large all-inclusive resort runs several restaurants and bars at once, so it hires cooks, servers and bartenders in numbers. Our all-inclusive resort guide explains how that work differs.

The roles

• Kitchen: chefs, sous chefs, line cooks, pastry cooks, stewards and dishwashers. See chef and cook jobs, with a guide to the work and how to move up.
• Bar and dining room: bartenders, servers, hosts, supervisors and restaurant managers. See bartender, waiter and server jobs.

Pay, tips and service charge

Restaurant pay is often a base wage plus a share of service charge or tips, and the rules differ from island to island. In the Dominican Republic, for example, the 10% legal tip on bills must be shared in full among the staff who gave the service. Each job here gives the base pay and says whether service charge or tips come on top. Our service charge guide explains the rest.

Food handler permits

Some islands require anyone working with food to hold a food handler's permit. In Jamaica, everyone in the food trade, including cashiers, needs an up-to-date permit (Jamaica Information Service). Ask the employer what you need where you will work, and who pays for it.

Before you accept

Ask, and get the answers in writing:

1. What is the base pay, and how are service charge and tips shared?
2. What are the shifts, and how often are late nights and weekends?
3. Are meals provided on duty?
4. How do I get home after a late shift?
5. Who pays for uniforms, permits and medical checks?