Q: I just got hired for a job in a new restaurant. Since it's new everyone else will be learning with me and I like that. But I've never worked in a restaurant before. I've done customer service jobs so I know how that goes. But I'm wondering what a hostess does exactly. Obviously I'll be seating customers, but I'd like more details. I want to be as knowledgeable as possible going in to this. And I'd love to hear any stories from those of you who work at a restaurant, just don't scare me out of a job! Thanks! I'm also wondering about salary. I'll be doing hostess and takeout orders. Are any tips involved?
A: I've worked in a few restaurants as a waitress. The hostess would greet people, walk them to their table, tell them who their server is, etc. Other duties might be going around the restaurant, gathering up the menus that the servers placed various places, taking phone calls, making reservations, getting highchairs & booster seats for the kids, getting an open menu count (letting the cooks know how many people are sitting down looking at menu's), cleaning and restocking the bathroom. For to go, you would take the order, if could be on the phone or in person. Bag up the order and make sure they have everything they requested such as silverware, napkins, etc. You might have to bring it out to their car for curbside service. Then you might have to refill up the to-go area with to go silverware, napkins, condiments, register paper, pens, etc. As far as tips, I've worked in 3 restaurants that had hosts. Two of them the hostesses did not receive a portion of our tips. Only one restaurant did the servers tip out the hostesses. Now, with to go though. Some people do tip, some people do not. It's not a guarantee. If people will, most of the time it's the ones that have bigger orders and/or you bring it out to their car. Good luck! :)