Hostess - Front Of House, 1 Openings, 4 To 5 Years Experience

Job Description - MELD - Hostess - Front of House

An Overview:

We are seeking an enthusiastic, organized, and welcoming Hostess to lead guest reception and front of house door operations in our hyper traceable bakehouse & restaurant. This role combines exceptional customer service with operational efficiency, requiring someone who is passionate about delivering outstanding guest experiences, managing section seating flow, coordinating reservations, and communicating our hyper-traceability story (farm origins, seasonal produce, artisanal baked goods) to guests while maintaining high standards of front-of-house organization.

Core Responsibilities

Guest Reception & Hospitality

●    Welcome guests warmly upon arrival, manage guest greetings, and escort guests to their designated tables with enthusiasm and courtesy.

●    Serve as the primary point of contact for guest inquiries, seating preferences, and special dietary notifications.

●    Deliver exceptional first and last impressions, ensuring every guest feels valued and attended to throughout their visit.

●    Communicate menu overviews, daily specials, and MELD’s farm-to-table traceability stories during table seating.

Reservation & Table Management

●    Manage daily reservations, waitlists, walk-in guest flow, and table assignments using restaurant management systems and POS modules.

●    Coordinate table turnaround pacing and section seating balance with the Head Server, Floor Manager, and floor service team.

●    Handle phone calls, booking inquiries, special seating requests, and guest feedback professionally.

Front of House Coordination & Floor Support

●    Communicate seating updates, party sizes, and guest dietary needs continuously to floor servers, hosts, and kitchen/bakehouse teams.

●    Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and visual appeal of the reception area, host stand, menus, and dining room entryway.

●    Ensure menus, beverage lists, and guest promotional collateral are clean, sanitized, accurate, and well-stocked at all times.

Inventory & Host Station Upkeep

●    Maintain inventory records for host station supplies, guest collateral, reservation materials, and entrance amenities.

●    Conduct regular checks of host station supplies and reorder stock based on service forecasts.

●    Manage shift handovers, log guest feedback, and record daily cover counts.

Additional Operational Responsibilities

Front of House Operations

●    Ensure strict compliance with health, hygiene, and safety regulations across the reception and guest entrance areas.

●    Step in to assist floor staff during peak service rushes with water service, table resets, or menu distribution.

●    Report any facility maintenance needs, damaged menus, or operational bottlenecks to the Floor Manager promptly.

●    Participate in pre-service briefings, special event setup, and seasonal menu launches.

Required Qualifications

●    Minimum 2 years of experience as a Hostess, Receptionist, or Front of House team member in a semi-fine dining restaurant or hospitality environment.

●    Excellent interpersonal, communication, and telephone skills with a strong guest-first mindset.

●    Familiarity with reservation management software and POS seating tools.

●    Detail-oriented with strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving abilities under pressure.

●    Understanding of / Willingness to learn sustainable, farm-to-table, and hyper traceable food systems.

●    Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced dining room environment.

●    Physical stamina to stand and move during extended service shifts.

Preferred Qualifications

●    Experience in high-volume farm-to-table restaurants or artisanal bakehouses.

●    Knowledge of food safety standards, allergen management, and menu presentation.

●    Previous experience with guest loyalty tracking and private event guest handling.