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Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Occupation Detailed Description

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

The main tasks and work activities of Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop are to present food or beverage information or menus to customers, assist customers with seating arrangements, schedule dining reservations, communicate dining or order details to kitchen personnel. In general, for the Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop, active Listening, speaking, service Orientation, social Perceptiveness and other 2 skills are required.
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop jobs. 62.00% of Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 0.22% of Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
31.86%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
62.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.22%
Some College Courses
0.22%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
5.70%

Tasks and Work Activities of Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

  • Provide guests with menus.
  • Greet guests and seat them at tables or in waiting areas.
  • Receive and record patrons' dining reservations.
  • Maintain contact with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and customers to ensure that dining details are handled properly and customers' concerns are addressed.
  • Inform patrons of establishment specialties and features.
  • Direct patrons to coatrooms and waiting areas such as lounges.
  • Operate cash registers to accept payments for food and beverages.
  • Prepare cash receipts after establishments close, and make bank deposits.
  • Supervise and coordinate activities of dining room staff to ensure that patrons receive prompt and courteous service.
  • Prepare staff work schedules.
  • Order or requisition supplies and equipment for tables and serving stations.
  • Hire, train, and supervise food and beverage service staff.
  • Plan parties or other special events and services.
  • Confer with other staff to help plan establishments' menus.
  • Perform marketing and advertising services.
  • Assign patrons to tables suitable for their needs and according to rotation so that servers receive an appropriate number of seatings.
  • Speak with patrons to ensure satisfaction with food and service, to respond to complaints, or to make conversation.
  • Answer telephone calls and respond to inquiries or transfer calls.
  • Inspect dining and serving areas to ensure cleanliness and proper setup.
  • Inspect restrooms for cleanliness and availability of supplies and clean restrooms when necessary.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersHandling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside OrganizationCommunicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Present food or beverage information or menus to customers.
  • Assist customers with seating arrangements.
  • Schedule dining reservations.
  • Communicate dining or order details to kitchen personnel.
  • Provide customers with general information or assistance.
  • Process customer bills or payments.
  • Operate cash registers.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Coordinate activities of food service staff.
  • Manage food service operations or parts of operations.
  • Perform human resources activities.
  • Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
  • Train food preparation or food service personnel.
  • Plan special events.
  • Plan menu options.
  • Communicate with customers to resolve complaints or ensure satisfaction.
  • Inspect facilities, equipment or supplies to ensure conformance to standards.
  • Package food or supplies.
  • Take customer orders.
  • Assist chefs or caterers with food or drink preparation.

Skills and Abilities for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Carbonated beverage dispensere.g. Carbonated beverage dispensers
  • Cash registerse.g. Cash registers
  • Commercial use coffee or iced tea makerse.g. Commercial coffeemakers
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Pocket calculatore.g. Handheld calculators
  • Ice dispenserse.g. Ice-making machines
  • Non carbonated beverage dispensere.g. Juice dispensers
  • Special purpose telephonese.g. Multi-line telephone systems
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Point of sale POS terminale.g. Point of sale POS computer terminals
  • Touch screen monitorse.g. Touch screen monitors
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Food ProductionKnowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
  • Sales and MarketingKnowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.