Head Waiter

About the Role

We invite you to join The Dorchester Hotel’s acclaimed Alain Ducasse restaurant as a Head Waiter. Recognized as one of the 'Sunday Times Top 10 Best Places to Work' for 2024-2026 and honored as 'Hotel of the Year – London' at the 2024 AA Hospitality Awards, The Dorchester fosters an inclusive culture rooted in passion, creativity, respect, and teamwork. We value diverse perspectives that enrich our environment and contribute to our success.

At Alain Ducasse, you will grow in your profession by learning from distinguished colleagues and through our award-winning academy, enabling you to uphold the highest standards of service, craftsmanship, and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional table service, working collaboratively with the kitchen and sommelier teams to ensure an outstanding guest experience.
• Prepare and set tables before opening to provide a seamless dining environment.
• Perform closing duties including cleaning, equipment storage, and resetting the dining area at the end of each day.
• Address guest-specific requests such as dietary requirements, food and wine preferences, and special occasion arrangements.
• Work shift-based hours from Tuesday to Saturday (14:30 until closing), with Sundays and Mondays off.

Essential Skills

• High attention to detail to maintain accuracy and uphold service standards.
• Strong communication skills to engage effectively with guests and team members, adapting style as needed.
• Team-oriented approach to ensure smooth coordination between front-of-house and kitchen staff.
• Excellent customer service aptitude, fostering a welcoming and responsive atmosphere.
• Organizational ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently under busy conditions.
• Problem-solving skills for quick, composed resolution of guest needs and unexpected issues.
• Manual dexterity for precise table setting and dish presentation.

Preferred Attributes

• Familiarity with fine dining etiquette and Michelin-star service standards (training is provided).
• Additional language proficiency is advantageous for communicating with a diverse clientele.
• Experience working in luxury or high-end dining establishments is beneficial.

Employee Benefits

• Annual complimentary stays with breakfast at Dorchester Collection Hotels.
• Discounts on accommodation and across various retail shops.
• Enrollment in the Royal London Private Pension scheme from day one, with an employer contribution of 8%.
• Access to financial benefits including seasonal ticket loans, rental deposit schemes, private financial advice, and vouchers for eye care.
• Opportunities for career progression through apprenticeships ranging from Level 2 to Level 5 Hospitality Degrees provided by prominent partners.
• Participation in social events such as summer parties, winter balls, pub quizzes, and cultural celebrations.
• Referral bonus of £1000 for successfully recommending a friend.
• Immediate well-being support resources available to all employees.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

We are dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our workplace. Should you require any assistance or accommodations during the recruitment process—including alternative application formats or adjustments to assessments—please contact our People & Culture team by phone or email to discuss your needs.