Hostess

Roles and responsibilities

A Hostess (or Host) is responsible for greeting and managing guests at a restaurant, event, or other venues. The role requires a mix of customer service, organizational, and communication skills. Here are key skills that are important for a hostess:

1. Customer Service Skills

• Friendly Demeanor: Greet guests with warmth, kindness, and a positive attitude.
• Active Listening: Pay attention to guests' needs and requests to ensure satisfaction.
• Problem-Solving: Handle guest concerns or complaints effectively and calmly.
• Professionalism: Maintain a courteous and respectful attitude at all times.

2. Communication Skills

• Clear Verbal Communication: Articulate clearly when speaking to guests and coworkers.
• Non-Verbal Communication: Use body language, such as smiling and eye contact, to make guests feel welcome.
• Multitasking in Conversation: Handle multiple guest interactions simultaneously without confusion.

3. Organizational Skills

• Table Management: Efficiently manage reservations, seating, and waiting lists to avoid overcrowding or delays.
• Time Management: Prioritize tasks, such as checking in guests, managing wait times, and coordinating with servers and kitchen staff.
• Attention to Detail: Ensure the seating chart is updated and guests are assigned to the right tables based on their preferences or special requests.

4. Interpersonal Skills

• Teamwork: Collaborate with the rest of the restaurant staff, including servers, bartenders, and managers, to ensure smooth operations.
• Empathy: Understand the emotions and needs of guests and address them appropriately.
• Conflict Resolution: Handle difficult situations (e.g., complaints, long wait times) in a calm and efficient manner.

5. Multitasking Ability

• Handling Multiple Tasks: Balancing phone calls, reservations, greeting guests, and dealing with walk-ins simultaneously.
• Adaptability: Quickly shift between tasks when the situation changes, such as moving guests from a waiting area to a table.

6. Physical Stamina

• Standing for Long Periods: Being on your feet for long hours while greeting and seating guests.
• Carrying Menus or Other Items: Sometimes hostesses need to move light items like menus, checks, or promotional materials.

7. Tech-Savvy (in Some Environments)

• Reservation Systems: Experience using reservation software (e.g., OpenTable, Resy) to manage bookings.
• POS Systems: Some hostesses may also be trained to use the point of sale (POS) system for payment processing or customer check-ins.

8. Attention to Cleanliness and Presentation

• Maintaining the Waiting Area: Ensuring that the entrance and waiting areas are tidy and welcoming.
• Table Readiness: Ensuring that tables are clean, set, and ready for guests before they are seated.

9. Patience

• Managing Wait Times: Deal with guests’ patience during busy times without getting frustrated.
• Calm Under Pressure: Handle the busy times of the day with composure and poise.

Desired candidate profile

As a Hostess at Ayamna, you will be the first point of contact with our guests, creating a positive impression, greeting guests upon arrival, informing them of their wait time, monitoring the waiting list, showing guests to their tables, and bidding guests farewell as they leave. Using your charm to carry out a natural conversation with our guests, you will showcase your effective communication skills, customer service skills, and your efficiency as a team player, showcasing your ability to work positively in a fast-paced environment. In return, we will make sure you have the right support with the right training and leadership along the way. You will attend both external and internal training courses, developing your skills and fine-tuning your food and beverage acumen.

About You

Ideally, we’d love you to have international exposure in a similar role or either 2 years of experience working within a luxury hotel and high-end restaurant. In addition to this, you will have excellent communication skills.