The Head Hostess in a fine dining restaurant is a leadership role, acting as the primary ambassador for the establishment and managing the guest flow and the hosting team to ensure an exceptional and seamless dining experience. The position combines superior hospitality skills with administrative and supervisory responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities Guest Services & First Impressions:Warmly greet and welcome all guests upon arrival, setting a welcoming and elegant tone for their experience. Personally escort guests to their tables, pulling out chairs and presenting menus in a professional manner. Handle guest inquiries, complaints, and special requests (e.g., dietary restrictions, seating preferences) with professionalism and efficiency. Ensure a personalized experience, recognizing returning guests and VIPs and notifying management of their arrival. Reservation & Seating Management:Manage all reservation requests via phone, email, and online platforms. Maintain and optimize the seating chart and floor plan to maximize capacity and ensure a balanced workload among servers. Manage the waitlist during peak times, accurately estimating wait times and keeping guests informed and comfortable. Coordinate with the kitchen and service staff to manage the flow of dining and table turnover, ensuring smooth service operations. Team Leadership & Supervision:Recruit, train, and supervise the host/hostess team, ensuring adherence to high service standards and protocols. Create and maintain staff schedules, managing shifts and breaks to ensure adequate coverage. Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback and mentorship to the team. Administrative & Operational Tasks:Maintain records of reservations, guest information, and seating preferences using reservation management software. Assist with opening and closing duties, ensuring the front-of-house area is clean, organized, and the ambiance (lighting, music, temperature) is appropriate. Work closely with the Restaurant Manager and Maître d' to communicate feedback and operational needs. Assist other staff members, such as servers and bussers, when necessary to ensure seamless service across the dining room. Required Skills & Qualifications Experience: Previous experience in a fine dining or upscale hospitality environment is essential, ideally in a supervisory host/hostess or reservation management role. Customer Service: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a focus on delivering memorable guest experiences. Leadership: Strong leadership qualities with the ability to motivate, manage, and mentor a team. Organization: Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multitask and remain calm and composed under pressure. Technical: Proficiency in reservation management software and basic computer applications. Professionalism: Impeccable grooming, a professional appearance, and a poised demeanor.