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.