Host / Hostess

Role Overview

The Host / Hostess is tasked with warmly greeting guests upon arrival and managing the flow at the venue's front of house. The position ensures that guests receive a polished, well-structured welcome that aligns with The Food and Beverage Group's high standards. Serving as a foundational contact point, the role involves handling guest greetings, managing reservations and waitlists, facilitating table assignments, and assisting the service team to ensure a seamless arrival experience.

This role integrates guest interaction, reservation management, and operational coordination, prioritizing excellent communication, guest seating flow, and a professional appearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide hospitable and professional welcomes to arriving guests and offer courteous farewells upon their departure.
• Establish a positive first impression that embodies the venue’s brand image, service ethos, and energetic atmosphere.
• Manage guest arrivals effectively, especially during busy times, preserving a calm and friendly demeanor.
• Handle various reservation channels, walk-ins, and waitlist entries carefully and accurately.
• Assist in allocating tables and managing seating flows according to capacity, priority bookings, and readiness of the service areas.
• Inform guests accurately about expected wait times and update them professionally if delays arise.
• Collaborate closely with management and service teams to maintain smooth seating arrangements and balanced floor sections.
• Respond to guest phone inquiries courteously and clearly.
• Escort guests to their tables and provide menus when necessary to ensure a smooth transition to the service staff.
• Communicate guest preferences, special requests, and seating requirements to the floor team promptly and clearly.
• Quickly escalate any guest complaints, dissatisfaction, or operational concerns to the duty manager.
• Keep the host area, entrance, and waiting space tidy, organized, and ready to welcome guests at all times.
• Maintain high personal standards of grooming, punctuality, and professionalism as a representative of the brand.
• Ensure reservation logs, guest notes, and front desk materials are properly maintained and organized.

Success Metrics

• Quality of guest reception and initial impression.
• Accuracy and efficiency in managing reservations, waitlists, and seating flow.
• Effective communication and cooperation with both management and service teams.
• Consistent adherence to professionalism, grooming, and front desk presentation benchmarks.

Candidate Requirements

• Between one to three years of experience in host/hostess, reception, or other guest-facing roles within hospitality sectors like restaurants, cafes, or hotels.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, paired with a confident and warm approach to guest interaction.
• Familiarity with reservation systems or booking platforms is preferred.
• Capability to stay composed, organized, and professional during high-pressure, busy service times.
• Fluency in English is essential; additional language skills are considered an asset.