Restaurant Host

Host Position at Hotel Covington

Hotel Covington is looking for an experienced and passionate Host to join the food and beverage department. Hotel Covington embodies the transformation of a celebrated, century-old downtown building into a modern luxury hotel. As the first of its genre in the market, Hotel Covington appeals to business and leisure travelers accustomed to upscale hotels in primary markets seeking an authentic and locally influenced experience. The hotel draws inspiration from the local culture and cultivates a following through a sense of civic pride and exciting food & beverage along with our addition, North by Hotel Covington.

Job Requirements

• Set up the host/hostess stand, review reservations and make recommendations as to the setup of the room
• Open the restaurant for business at the prescribed time each shift
• Inspect the cleanliness of each section of the dining room and the private dining rooms and make necessary improvements as well as check each table prior to opening to ensure its proper set
• Pick up the daily menus and insert them properly in their covers. Inspect every menu and list to ensure their condition and appearance
• Develop a complete working knowledge of the menus, menu ingredients and what is unavailable for the day
• Assign seating, taking into account service standards
• Know the server stations, their daily assignments, their personal timing patterns and their maximum workload capacity
• Maintain a station chart and cover count for the restaurant
• Answer telephones according to hotel standard and take reservations or provide information regarding the restaurant or any other hotel service
• Balance and close shift properly
• Serve and clear food and beverage items in an unobtrusive and professional manner
• Utilize the hotel's computer system ringing up sales, printing checks, closing checks and completing closing readings
• Carry trays, bus and reset tables with linen, china, glass and silver
• Complete side work assigned by manager
• Follow the established procedures to ensure knowledgeable, correct and efficient order taking, may act as a Room Service order taker and cashier
• Record all guest charges, gratuities and cash transactions accurately

Additional Requirements

• Good reading, writing and oral proficiency in the English language
• Must have a high school education or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 2 years of food and beverage experience
• Great wine and food knowledge
• Computer skills helpful but not required
• Able to work alone without direct supervision
• Demonstrate high degree of drive and determination
• Constantly recommend service and product improvement to better the operation
• Keep the work area clean and tidy at all times
• Attend all required meetings
• Follow proper payroll and uniform procedures
• Properly handle and report associate and guest accidents
• Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all departmental polices/service procedures/standards
• Assist with responsibilities and duties in other departments and as assigned by management
• Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, associates may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the hotel

Teamwork

• Maintain a good working relationship with other associates by promoting teamwork and fostering a harmonious working climate
• Partake in a positive work ethic and surrounding environment

Work Environment

Standard restaurant, kitchen, banquet, room service setting

Physical Demand

• Positions
• Continuous standing and walking
• Negotiating wet tile floor and steps
• Fine motor coordination is needed to pour beverages, decorate cocktails and folding napkins

Forces

• Trays weigh 30lb.
• Carts: 250 lbs. (12-20 lbs. of push/pull force required)
• Hot box: 20 lbs.
• Banquet tables & chairs
• Repetitions
• Standing and walking is continuous for 4-5 hours at a time
• Lifting and carrying 30 lb. tray, crate or box is occasional
• Negotiating varied floor surfaces is continuous
• Carrying over shoulder is occasional
• Hand and elbow movements for polishing glassware, silver, setting up tables, shacking, pouring and mixing drinks
• Pushing Room Service cart continuous
• Lifting and carry hot boxes continuous
• Rolling and/or carry Banquet tables continuous
• Carrying stackable banquet chairs by loading the cart continuous

Sensory

• Handling lighted candles, and handling hot fluids (coffee and tea)
• Excellent speech and hearing to interact with guests
• Excellent sight for completion of paper work
• Must be able to work in extreme temperatures like freezers (-10 degrees F) and kitchens (+110 degrees F), possible for one hour or more

Hotel Covington does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws. Hotel Covington is a smoke-free, drug-free facility, and equal opportunity employer.