What does a Host do?
Hosts work at sit-down restaurants ranging from casual family diners to fine dining establishments to make customers feel welcomed and provide attentive service from the moment a customer enters the dining room. They are also in charge of fairly assigning tables to waitstaff so that servers can split the workload fairly. Hosts lead guests to their tables, manage reservations and communicate with front of house staff about when they have a new party in their section. Hosts support servers in clearing tables, wiping down menus and organizing silverware.
Host skills and qualifications
A Host should have skills that allow them to interact with guests and help keep restaurant operations running smoothly. Some qualifications for a Host include the following:
- Prior customer service experience in the hospitality industry
- Positive attitude and interpersonal skills
- Good communication skills and phone etiquette
- Flexibility when working alternating shifts
- Ability to stand for long periods of time