Host/Hostess Responsibilities & Duties

Reports to: Restaurant Manager

Summary/Objective 

The host/hostess is the first and last person a guest will interact with within the restaurant.  Therefore, a guest's first and last impression must be positive, gracious, and professional. Most importantly, you will supervise and coordinate the dining room's flow. Constant communication with the managers is key to a successful service.

Essential Functions

• Enthusiastically welcome every guest at the door; Always approach and move towards the guest. Never wait for the guest to come to you.
• Call out the name and number of the party when tables become available.
• Seat guests efficiently and courteously, if business operations require to wait time, the host must provide guests with an accurate waiting time.
• Carries the menu on their forearm while walking through the restaurant.
• Upon seating, offer guests a menu and inform them of their server’s name. Inspect the table for proper presentation and completeness.
• Pulls at least one chair out for guests to sit, then provides a menu in hand to each guest once seated (ladies first).
• Parts table with a positive comment.
• Go above and beyond to accommodate guests’ special requests.
• Graciously say goodbye to all guests and extend an invitation to return to visit soon.
• Oversee daily restaurant reservations, and pre-assign seating where necessary.
• Communicate with management regarding special orders, cake orders, and special requests – responsible for conveying all such information to management.
• Answer restaurant telephone courteously and efficiently.
• ’Thank you for calling', 'This is, 'how may I assist you?’.
• Escort guests to tables and assist in seating at tables; present menus and extend pleasantries.
• Shut down podium and forward phones to voice-loop at end of shift.
• Resolve guest complaints, ensuring guest satisfaction.
• Be familiar with all features and local attractions/activities to respond to guest inquiries accurately.
• Maintain complete knowledge of scheduled daily activities and in-house groups, daily house count, table/seat/station numbers, proper table set ups, room capacity, hours of operation, price range, and dress code of the restaurant.
• Assists with guest service concerns and alerts management as necessary.

Skills/Qualifications

• Be able to work in a standing position for long periods (up to 8 hours).
• Be able to communicate clearly and effectively in English and Spanish.
• Organizational skills.
• Stress Management.
• Multi-task oriented.
• Must have exceptional grooming habits.

Work Environment

This job is performed usually indoors and outdoors, in a controlled environment, and experiences a moderate noise level in the work environment. This job has intermittent levels of high stress.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. The employee is required to stand and walk.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. The employee is expected to work alternating schedules including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Required Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Be able to communicate and understand English and Spanish.
• Possesses excellent basic math skills and can operate a Booking system.
• Attention to detail.
• Great verbal communication skills.
• Customer-oriented.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

V&E provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.