What does a Restaurant Host do?
Published 3 min read
A restaurant host is responsible for greeting guests and seating them at tables. They may also be responsible for taking reservations and answering phones.
Restaurant Host job duties include:
- Greet guests and escort them to their tables
- Answer guests’ questions about the menu and make recommendations
- Manage reservations and waitlists
- Seat guests according to their preferences and the restaurant’s seating capacity
- Coordinate with servers and other staff to ensure that guests have a pleasant dining experience
- Monitor the dining room for empty tables and dirty dishes
- Assist with setting up and breaking down the dining room
- Keep the host stand area clean and organized
- Answer the phone and take reservations
- Perform basic math calculations to total guest bills
Restaurant Host Job Requirements
There are no formal education requirements for a restaurant host, although some may choose to complete a degree or certificate in hospitality. Previous experience working in customer service is often required, as is the ability to stand for long periods of time and lift moderate weights. Restaurant hosts must be able to effectively communicate with customers and co-workers, as well as have strong organizational skills.
Restaurant Host Skills
- Welcoming
- Greeting
- Seating
- Escorting
- Bidding
- Farewells
- Answering phones
- Taking messages
- Transferring calls
- Making reservations
- Confirming reservations
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How to become a Restaurant Host
A restaurant host is the first person that a customer sees when they come into a restaurant. The host greets the customers, shows them to their seats, and helps them to feel welcome and comfortable. If you have a passion for food and customer service, then becoming a restaurant host may be the perfect career for you! Here are a few tips on how to become a restaurant host:
1. Get experience in the food industry. This can be through working in a restaurant, catering, or even just waiting tables. The more experience you have with dealing with customers and food, the better prepared you will be to be a successful host.
2. Be outgoing and friendly. As the first person that customers see when they come into a restaurant, it is important that you make a good impression! Smile, make eye contact, and be polite and professional at all times.
3. Be organized and efficient. As the host, you will be responsible for seating customers and keeping track of reservations. It is important that you are able to stay organized and efficient in order to keep the dining room running smoothly.
4. Have a positive attitude. No matter what challenges come up during your shift, it is important to maintain a positive attitude. Customers will pick up on your energy and if you are positive and upbeat, they will have a better dining experience overall.
If you have a passion for food and customer service, then becoming a restaurant host may be the perfect career for you! By following these tips, you can set yourself up for success in this role.
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