1. Greeting Guests: Welcome customers as they arrive, with a friendly and professional demeanor.

2. Seating Guests: Manage the seating chart and escort guests to their tables.

3. Reservation Handling: Take and manage reservations, either over the phone, online, or walk-ins.

4. Waiting Area Management: Manage guest wait times and communicate delays tactfully.

5. Maintaining Cleanliness: Keep the entrance, hostess stand, and waiting area neat and presentable.

6. Customer Service: Answer customer questions about the restaurant, menu, or services.

7. Coordinating with Servers: Inform servers of new arrivals and table status.

8. Upselling Special Events: Promote any upcoming events or special offers.

9. Guest Feedback: Occasionally collect feedback or respond to guest concerns.

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Waitress Responsibilities:

1. Taking Orders: Greet guests at the table, present menus, and take food and drink orders accurately.

2. Serving Food & Beverages: Deliver orders promptly and ensure correct dishes are served.

3. Customer Interaction: Answer menu questions, suggest specials, and provide excellent service.

4. Billing & Payment: Present checks, process payments, and issue receipts.

5. Table Maintenance: Clear dishes, refill drinks, and reset tables for the next guest.

6. Cleanliness & Hygiene: Maintain cleanliness of their section and follow hygiene standards.

7. Communication with Kitchen: Relay orders to kitchen staff and handle any special requests or complaints.

8. Upselling: Recommend food, drinks, or desserts to increase guest satisfaction and sales.

9. Complaint Handling: Address customer issues professionally and involve management if needed.

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In some setups, especially smaller operations or fine-dining environments, hostess and waitress roles can overlap — with one person multitasking both guest greetings and service.