Restaurant Host

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

About Appellation

Born from the elegant merger of the culinary and hospitality worlds, Appellation is much more than a typical hotel company. Inspired by its name, this new hotel brand brings together the best of local elements in a new way: a hotel collection powered by people, connected by food, and defined by place—all designed to celebrate its destinations’ culture, community, and craftsmanship. Developed by visionary co-founders Charlie Palmer, one of America’s best-known, award-winning chefs and pioneer in the American hotel-restaurant model, and Christopher Hunsberger, a 30-year veteran of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and its former president of North Americas. Join Appellation as its first hotels and resorts take root in 2025. 

Overview of Position:  

The Host is responsible for greeting guests, managing the waitlist, seating guests, and ensuring the dining area runs smoothly. The role requires exceptional customer service skills, a friendly attitude, and a strong ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment. The Host serves as the first point of contact for guests and plays a key role in creating a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. This is a non-exempt, hourly position that adheres to California wage and labor laws , including meal and rest break compliance.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Guest Greeting & Seating

• Greet guests warmly and professionally as they arrive at the restaurant.
• Manage reservations and walk-ins, ensuring guests are seated promptly and according to the restaurant’s seating plan.
• Escort guests to their assigned tables and provide them with menus.
• Maintain a clean and organized host stand and waiting area, ensuring that guests are comfortable while waiting for a table.

Waitlist & Reservation Management

• Monitor and manage the restaurant’s reservation system, ensuring that all reservations are accurately noted and managed.
• If the restaurant is busy, maintain an accurate and organized waitlist, providing wait times and communicating with guests as necessary.
• Communicate effectively with servers and kitchen staff to ensure smooth guest flow and table turnover.

Customer Service & Communication

• Answer the phone, take reservations, and provide guests with information about the menu, specials, and restaurant services.
• Handle guest inquiries or concerns in a professional manner, escalating issues to management when necessary.
• Assist with coordinating guest seating preferences (e.g., window seat, booth) when possible.
• Maintain a positive, friendly demeanor at all times to ensure an excellent guest experience.

Compliance & Safety

• Follow all California health and safety regulations , including proper sanitation practices at the host stand and throughout the dining area.
• Ensure that guests are seated in accordance with social distancing guidelines or any other applicable regulations.
• Comply with California Labor Code , including accurate timekeeping, meal/rest break compliance, and safety standards.

  Skills & Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a restaurant, hospitality, or customer service environment is preferred but not required.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a focus on providing excellent customer service.
• Ability to multitask and remain organized in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to maintain a professional and friendly attitude even during high-volume periods.

• Basic math skills for managing waitlist and reservations.
• 18+ may be required for some duties based on restaurant policy

Working Conditions:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time (up to 8 hours).
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs (e.g., menus, seating materials).
• Exposure to hot, noisy environments, and fast-paced conditions.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.

Compensation & Classification:

• Non-exempt, hourly position.
• Eligible for meal and rest breaks as required by California labor laws.

Essential Functions: To perform the duties and requirements for this job, you must have the following physical abilities:

• Sit and stand for extended periods of time, walk up and down stairs
• Enter data into a computer terminal, operate standard office equipment, and use telephone
• See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids
• Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone
• Speak so that others may understand at normal levels and on the telephone
• Constant: sitting, standing and repetitive use of hands, arms, and legs
• Frequent: typing, use of mouse, bending of neck, climbing stairs
• Occasional: twisting of neck

You must have the ability to lift up to 25 pounds, bend, stoop, and reach; lift and carry equipment and supplies; walking daily up and down the stairs and sitting for periods up to 4 hours and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with or without reasonable accommodations. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Appellation Hotels is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants regardless of race, color, national original, ancestry, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status considered unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.