A hostess or host is responsible for greeting, welcoming, and seating customers as they enter a restaurant or dining area. They are typically the first point of contact for guests and create a warm and welcoming environment for patrons from the moment they enter the establishment. Some of the key responsibilities of a hostess or host include:

• Greeting guests as they enter the restaurant or dining area.
• Providing accurate wait times and monitoring waiting lists.
• Managing reservations.
• Seating guests at tables or in waiting areas.
• Assigning guests to tables they prefer, while keeping table rotation in mind so that servers receive the right number of customers.
• Engaging with guests to ensure theyre happy with food and service.
• Responding to complaints and helping to resolve them.
• Answering phone calls, taking reservations, and answering questions.
• Having knowledge of the menu.
• Helping out with other positions in the restaurant as needed.
• Providing great customer service.

To be successful in this role, a hostess or host should be comfortable standing for long periods and managing a very busy shift. They should also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to handle money accurately and operate a point-of-sale system. A high school diploma is typically required, and hospitality certification is a plus.