Host / Hostess

A restaurant hostess (or host) is the first point of contact for guests. They are responsible for greeting customers, managing reservations and waitlists, assigning tables to ensure servers have an equal workload, and escorting diners to their seats. They set the overall tone and first impression of the dining experience. [1, 2, 3]

A typical day for a hostess involves a wide variety of tasks to keep the front-of-house running smoothly:

• Welcoming Guests: Greeting arriving patrons warmly, acknowledging them even when the restaurant is busy, and handling seating arrangements based on party size and preferences. [1, 2]
• Managing Reservations: Taking bookings over the phone or through digital reservation systems, and organizing walk-in diners by providing accurate wait time estimates. [1, 2, 3]
• Coordination: Acting as a liaison between the guests, waitstaff, and the kitchen. They alert servers when a new table sits in their section and communicate any special dietary needs or requests. [1, 2, 3]
• Customer Service: Answering customer questions about the menu, specials, or restaurant policies. They also handle initial guest complaints and ensure waiting areas remain clean and organized. [1, 2]
• Supporting Staff: Assisting the waitstaff by handing out menus, occasionally helping to clear tables, and supporting take-out logistics during rushes. [1, 2]

To learn more about what goes into managing a restaurant's flow, you can check out this comprehensive guide on What Does a Host Do at a Restaurant? or explore a standard Host/Hostess Job Description.