What essential skills should I include in a Restaurant Host job description?

Date modified: 29th September 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.

Waiter Job Description Template

This job description template provides a full working exmaple using our six step approach. Open the template in the Pilla app and customise each section to make it specific to your role and business.

We operate a contemporary casual dining restaurant serving 140 covers daily with emphasis on fresh, seasonal cuisine and exceptional guest experiences. Our waiters are the heart of our service delivery, creating memorable dining moments through professional hospitality, detailed menu knowledge, and seamless coordination with our kitchen brigade. The atmosphere balances relaxed comfort with attentive service, welcoming diverse guests from intimate date nights to family celebrations and business meetings. Our service philosophy centers on genuine warmth, efficiency, and anticipating guest needs while maintaining the energy and precision required during busy service periods.
• Welcome guests warmly and guide them to tables, ensuring comfortable seating and immediate attention to their needs • Take comprehensive food and beverage orders with attention to dietary requirements, allergies, and special requests • Provide expert menu recommendations based on guest preferences, including wine pairings and chef specialties • Deliver food and beverages promptly while verifying order accuracy and presentation standards • Maintain ongoing guest satisfaction through table visits, refills, and proactive service throughout the meal • Process payments efficiently using our POS system, handling cash, cards, and split bills with accuracy • Coordinate with kitchen and bar teams on timing, special preparations, and service flow optimization • Maintain immaculate table setup, cleanliness, and proper mise en place between services • Handle guest feedback professionally, resolving concerns and escalating complex issues to management • Support team efficiency during peak periods through section coordination and mutual assistance • Complete opening duties including dining room setup, equipment checks, and service preparation • Execute closing responsibilities including cleaning, cash reconciliation, and preparation for following service
Essential Skills: Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities with natural hospitality instincts; exceptional multitasking capability in fast-paced service environments; strong attention to detail for order accuracy and guest preferences; professional presentation and grooming standards; physical stamina for extended periods of standing, walking, and carrying service items; basic mathematics skills for payment processing and bill calculations; team collaboration skills for coordinating with kitchen, bar, and management. Preferred Qualifications: Previous restaurant or hospitality service experience demonstrating guest relations expertise; familiarity with POS systems and payment processing technology; wine and beverage knowledge including basic pairing principles; food safety and hygiene certification; additional language skills for diverse guest demographics; experience with dietary restrictions and allergen protocols; knowledge of fine dining service techniques and etiquette.
We're looking for both experienced hospitality professionals and enthusiastic newcomers who are excited to build their service careers. While previous restaurant experience is great to have, we care more about your attitude, work ethic, and genuine passion for hospitality than years on your CV. We'll provide comprehensive training covering our service standards, menu knowledge, wine program, POS systems, and how to create amazing guest experiences. New team members will work alongside experienced waiters during their first week, gradually taking on full responsibilities with plenty of support. We believe in helping people grow and offer real opportunities for career progression within our restaurant group.
We're looking for someone who genuinely loves creating great experiences for guests and enjoys working as part of a close-knit team. You should be naturally warm and authentic, able to stay calm and positive even when things get busy or challenging. We value people who take pride in what they do, are reliable and punctual, and want to contribute to our supportive workplace culture. The right person will be flexible and adaptable, pay attention to the little details that matter to guests, and be keen to keep learning and improving. Being able to think on your feet and handle pressure with a smile is really important in our fast-paced restaurant environment.
Competitive hourly rate of £11.00-£13.50 based on experience, plus share of service charges and gratuities (typically £40-70 per shift depending on service period). Comprehensive benefits package includes: nutritious staff meals during all shifts; 25 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays; flexible scheduling accommodating work-life balance where operationally feasible. Ongoing professional development including wine education and service technique training; clear progression pathways to senior waiter, section leader, and supervisory roles; supportive team environment with regular social events and recognition programs. Health and wellness initiatives including employee assistance programs; staff discounts at our restaurant group properties.

Include essential restaurant host skills covering excellent interpersonal communication and guest greeting abilities that create memorable first impressions, seating coordination and table management skills for optimal guest flow, reservation system proficiency and booking management for efficient operations, crowd control and wait time management during busy periods, conflict resolution abilities for addressing guest concerns professionally, and professional appearance with positive attitude that reflects restaurant standards and hospitality excellence.

Common misunderstanding: Restaurant host positions require only basic customer service skills rather than specialised front-of-house expertise and guest management capabilities.

Restaurant host roles demand sophisticated customer service skills including guest psychology understanding, seating optimisation strategies, reservation coordination, and crowd management. Host expertise often determines guest satisfaction and restaurant reputation more than basic service interactions alone.

Common misunderstanding: Host skills are primarily social rather than operational competencies requiring technical knowledge and systematic approach.

Effective restaurant hosting combines interpersonal abilities with operational expertise including reservation systems, table rotation strategies, wait time management, and guest flow optimisation. Technical competencies often support social skills whilst ensuring efficient operations and guest satisfaction.

How should I describe customer service requirements for Restaurant Host job description essential skills?

Describe warm and welcoming greeting techniques that make guests feel valued and appreciated, active listening skills for understanding guest preferences and special requirements, clear communication about wait times and seating options with transparency and helpfulness, problem-solving abilities for guest accommodation including special requests and challenges, professional telephone manner for reservations and inquiries with courtesy and efficiency, and maintaining positive attitude during busy periods whilst ensuring consistent service quality and guest satisfaction.

Common misunderstanding: Restaurant host customer service focuses on greeting rather than comprehensive guest experience management throughout the visit.

Host customer service encompasses initial greeting, seating coordination, ongoing communication, problem resolution, and departure management. Comprehensive service often determines overall guest experience whilst influencing return visits and restaurant reputation.

Common misunderstanding: Customer service skills are natural talents rather than professional competencies requiring development and training.

Restaurant host customer service involves specific techniques including greeting protocols, communication strategies, problem-solving approaches, and guest psychology understanding. Professional service skills often improve through training whilst ensuring consistent quality and guest satisfaction.

What organisational skills are crucial for Restaurant Host job description essential skills?

Emphasise table rotation management and seating optimisation for efficient guest flow and revenue maximisation, reservation coordination and accurate record keeping with attention to detail, wait list management and guest communication including realistic time estimates, multitasking abilities during peak periods whilst maintaining quality service, attention to detail for guest preferences including dietary requirements and seating requests, and time management for efficient guest flow that minimises wait times whilst optimising table utilisation and restaurant capacity.

Common misunderstanding: Restaurant host organisational skills are administrative rather than strategic operational management affecting restaurant efficiency and profitability.

Host organisational competencies directly impact table turnover, guest satisfaction, revenue optimisation, and operational efficiency. Strategic organisation often determines restaurant success whilst supporting overall business objectives and guest experience quality.

Common misunderstanding: Organisational skills can be learned quickly rather than requiring practice and system understanding for effective implementation.

Restaurant host organisation involves complex coordination including table management, reservation systems, guest preferences, and timing optimisation. Effective organisation often develops through experience whilst requiring systematic approaches and continuous improvement.