Host and Hostess Job Description

To be an effective host or hostess you must begin with your dress. If there is a uniform that would make it easy, but most restaurants today are looking for you to wear your own cloths. The finer restaurants will have a code of dress that they expect but the most important thing to remember is you need to look sharp. Try to keep jewelry to a minimum and do not over perfume. Hair should be neat and clean and men should be clean-shaven. A host or hostess is the first impression of an establishment so make sure you make a good one.

The host stand is your domain. To be effective organization is key. The host or hostess job description includes keeping the stand or reception desk clean and organized at all times. Your first duty when getting to work is making sure that it is organized and ready for operation.

Make sure all menus are wiped down, free of spots or stains, and complete.

Make sure entry doors are clean, free of debris and inviting.

Check with phone reservationists, or answering machine messages to assure you have all reservations.

Check with manager to assure there are no large or private parties you do not know about.

Check with kitchen to see where they stand. See if they are behind or if they are out of anything.

Plan out the seating chart and organize the reservations (planning is everything when running an effective host stand).

Greets guests, escorts them to their table, pull seat out for the ladies, and present menus.

Make sure the server is aware they have been sat.

Keep the counts for individual server so things come out fair at the end of the night

Keep in constant contact with the servers and the kitchen to make sure you are not putting them in the weeds. A hostess job description does not include running a smooth shift, but it does separate the good from the great. A large part of the night’s effectiveness is orchestrated from the host stand.

Keep an eye out that the dining room, entryway, bathrooms, and menus are kept clean throughout operations.

Say good-bye to all of the guests. Check to see that everything was wonderful. Not only is the host or hostess the first impression the guest gets when they come to an establishment they are also the last. You should check with every guest and if there was any kind of problem quickly get a manager.

At the end of the shift you may want to do the server ant restaurant tallies.

Some establishments may also have you be a cashier as well.

Pay will be all over the map depending on where you are working and what is expected of you, but you can expect somewhere between $7-$15 per hour plus a percentage tip out from the wait staff.

The host or hostess description will very from restaurant to restaurant but this should give you a good idea of what to expect going in or what you should expect from your host personnel.