Host/Greeter

Host Olive & Hay (must be able to work Mornings)

Department: Food & Beverage Position: Host Location: The Meritage Resort & Spa

Position Summary

The position pays $16.90 hour

The Host is responsible for creating a warm and welcoming first impression for guests dining at Olive & Hay. This position plays a key role in ensuring efficient breakfast and lunch operations by managing reservations, coordinating seating, maintaining guest flow, and supporting the service team. The ideal candidate is friendly, organized, attentive to detail, and committed to delivering exceptional hospitality.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Warmly greet and welcome guests upon arrival, escort them to their tables, present menus, and provide information about dining options and resort amenities.
• Manage reservations, walk-ins, and waitlists while ensuring efficient seating arrangements and balanced guest distribution among servers.
• Monitor table availability, guest counts, and estimated wait times, communicating updates to management and the service team.
• Accommodate guest preferences, special requests, and dietary considerations whenever possible.
• Answer incoming telephone calls, assist with reservations, and respond professionally to guest inquiries.
• Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and overall presentation of the host stand, menus, entrance, and waiting areas.
• Communicate relevant guest information, VIP arrivals, special occasions, and service requests to the appropriate team members.
• Assist with monitoring table readiness and coordinating with bussers and servers to support efficient table turns.
• Support the service team with food running, beverage refills, table clearing, and other duties as business levels require.
• Thank guests upon departure, invite them to return, and address guest concerns within the scope of the position.
• Remain informed of daily resort occupancy, special events, group arrivals, and restaurant promotions to anticipate guest needs.
• Follow all established food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and resort service standards.
• Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality, reporting to scheduled shifts prepared to work.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with preparing menus, polishing or rolling silverware, and maintaining restaurant supplies as needed.
• Monitor the cleanliness of restaurant entrances, waiting areas, and nearby guest facilities, reporting concerns to the appropriate department.
• Communicate operational challenges, guest complaints, and unusual incidents promptly to management.
• Assist with opening procedures and preparation for morning service.
• Work collaboratively with culinary, service, and management teams to ensure a seamless guest experience.

Qualifications

• Previous hospitality, restaurant, or customer service experience preferred.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Friendly, professional demeanor with a genuine passion for guest service.
• Ability to multitask and remain composed in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Basic computer skills and willingness to learn restaurant reservation and telephone systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests and team members.
• Flexible availability, including mornings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Valid Food Handler Card or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.
• Commitment to maintaining professional appearance, punctuality, and resort hospitality standards.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced dining environment.
• Frequent bending, reaching, carrying, and handling of restaurant supplies and equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally, with lighter lifting required more frequently.
• Ability to work around kitchen equipment, hot surfaces, cleaning products, and varying noise levels.
• Must wear approved non-slip, oil-resistant footwear and follow all established safety procedures.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform essential job functions.

Position Expectations

The Morning Host serves as the first and last point of contact for many of our guests and is instrumental in setting the tone for their dining experience. Success in this role requires genuine hospitality, effective communication, attention to detail, and the ability to maintain an organized and welcoming environment while supporting the operational needs of Olive & Hay.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional duties may be assigned based on business needs. Management reserves the right to modify responsibilities and provide reasonable accommodations as appropriate.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

The Meritage Resort and Spa, Napa