Urschel, a 100% employee-owned company, is seeking an energetic and service-focused Runner to join the Food & Beverage team at the Grand Gardner Hotel. The Grand Gardner Hotel is an Urschel Development property located in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana. Urschel Development is a wholly owned subsidiary of Urschel Laboratories in Chesterton, Indiana.
The Grand Gardner Hotel is an independent boutique hotel featuring 58 guest rooms and suites, a speakeasy, banquet space, and welcoming shared spaces. As part of our employee-owned culture, every team member contributes to the hotel's success. We believe that excellent guest experiences are the result of employees who understand how their work impacts guests, coworkers, and the overall operation of the business.
At Grand Gardner Hotel, we value teamwork, accountability, and pride in a job well done. Whether serving guests directly or supporting operations behind the scenes, each employee-owner plays an important role in maintaining the high standards that define our property.
Why You’ll Love Working at the Grand Gardner Hotel:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Stock Issued Annually
- Accrued Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay
- Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Free Health Clinic (Available to Employees and Their Dependents)
- 401(k) with Employer Matching
- Free Life Insurance
- Hotel stay and on-property dining discounts
- Flexible scheduling whenever possible
- Free 24/7 Access to An Onsite Workout Center with Personal Trainers @ Urschel’s Chesterton Facility
- Professional Development Support
- Support for Community Involvement/Philanthropy
The Runner serves as a vital connection between the kitchen, bars, and guests, ensuring food and beverages are delivered accurately, efficiently, and with exceptional presentation. This position plays an important role in creating memorable dining experiences by supporting servers, bartenders, chefs, and banquet staff while maintaining seamless communication between the front and back of house. Runners help uphold the Grand Gardner Hotel's commitment to hospitality by anticipating guest needs, maintaining service standards, and contributing to a smooth and enjoyable dining experience across Little Gem, The Honor Roll, Bar 101, banquets, and room service operations.
The ideal candidate is dependable, attentive, and passionate about hospitality. Successful candidates thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy working as part of a team, and take pride in delivering exceptional guest experiences. Candidates should possess strong communication skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm and organized during busy service periods. Previous restaurant, food runner, banquet, hotel, or guest service experience is preferred. Candidates with experience working with point-of-sale systems, food safety standards, and elevated dining service will be especially successful in this role.
What You'll Do
- Deliver food and beverages promptly and accurately while maintaining presentation standards.
- Verify guest orders, dietary restrictions, garnishes, and plating quality before food leaves the kitchen.
- Describe menu items, ingredients, accompaniments, and preparation methods when delivering dishes.
- Support service teams by clearing tables, resetting place settings, and maintaining dining room appearance.
- Anticipate guest needs and assist with requests such as refills, extra napkins, condiments, and service items.
- Communicate effectively between the kitchen and front-of-house teams to ensure smooth and efficient service.
- Assist servers, bartenders, barbacks, chefs, banquet staff, and room service operations as needed.
- Support dining room and expo line setup before service and complete cleaning and closing duties after service.
- Polish silverware and glassware, stock service stations, and maintain organized work areas.
- Follow food safety, cleanliness, and hospitality standards throughout each shift.
- Support banquet events, private functions, and special hotel events as business needs require.
- Work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Physical Requirements
- Remain standing and walking for extended periods, including frequent movement throughout the property.
- Frequently lift, carry, push, and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Carry multiple plates and service items while maintaining balance and presentation standards.
- Bend, reach, twist, crouch, and navigate stairs throughout the shift.
- Work efficiently in fast-paced restaurant, banquet, and bar environments with moderate noise levels.
- Maintain a professional and guest-focused demeanor during busy service periods
If you are seeking an outstanding career opportunity, visit the Urschel careers link directly at http://www.urschel.com/careers or find us on Facebook or LinkedIn.
EEO/Veteran/Disability
Date Posted: 11/10/2026
