A leading player in the casual dining and hospitality sector is currently seeking to recruit suitable candidates for the position of Host / Hostess at its Nairobi location. This opportunity is ideal for individuals who are interested in starting or developing a career within the food and beverage service industry and who are motivated by customer interaction, teamwork, and service excellence. The organization operates in a fast-paced restaurant environment and places strong emphasis on guest satisfaction, operational consistency, and professional service standards.
The Host / Hostess role is a frontline position that plays a central part in shaping the guest experience from the moment customers arrive at the restaurant to the time they leave. The successful candidates will be responsible for welcoming guests, managing seating arrangements, coordinating reservations, and supporting service teams to ensure smooth dining operations. This role requires attentiveness, organization, and the ability to communicate clearly with guests and internal teams.
The position is based in Nairobi and is open to multiple candidates, reflecting the organization’s growth and commitment to maintaining high service levels across its branches. Individuals with a positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, and a willingness to learn are encouraged to consider this opportunity. The role does not require prior work experience, making it suitable for entry-level candidates seeking exposure to the hospitality industry.
Position Overview
Job Title: Host / Hostess
Industry: Hospitality and Food Service
Location: Nairobi
Number of Vacancies: Multiple
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
Employment Type: Full-time
Experience Requirement: 0 years
Salary Range: Not specified
This role involves direct interaction with guests and close coordination with restaurant managers, chefs, and service staff. The Host / Hostess is expected to uphold service standards, support operational efficiency, and contribute to a welcoming and organized dining environment.
Detailed Job Description
The Host / Hostess will be responsible for a wide range of duties related to guest reception, seating management, communication, and overall service coordination within the restaurant. The responsibilities outlined below provide a comprehensive overview of the expectations associated with this role.
Guest Reception and First Contact
The Host / Hostess will be responsible for meeting, greeting, and welcoming all guests upon arrival at the restaurant. This includes acknowledging guests promptly, maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor, and ensuring that every guest feels recognized and attended to. As the first point of contact, the Host / Hostess plays a critical role in setting the tone for the dining experience.
Guests should be guided through the initial stages of their visit in an orderly and friendly manner. This includes confirming the number of guests in a party, checking for reservations where applicable, and providing clear information regarding seating availability or waiting times. The Host / Hostess is expected to manage guest flow in a calm and organized way, even during busy service periods.
Seating Management and Table Organization
An essential responsibility of the role is seating guests efficiently and appropriately within the restaurant. The Host / Hostess will assign tables based on availability, group size, and operational considerations, ensuring that seating arrangements support smooth service delivery.
The role also involves organizing and reserving tables for large groups and advance bookings. This requires maintaining an accurate understanding of the restaurant layout, current occupancy levels, and upcoming reservations. The Host / Hostess must coordinate closely with service staff and management to ensure that reserved tables are prepared on time and that guest expectations are met.
Effective seating management also involves balancing workloads among service staff and ensuring that no section becomes overwhelmed. The Host / Hostess must be attentive to changes in guest flow and adjust seating plans accordingly to maintain service quality.
Monitoring Service Touch Points
The Host / Hostess is expected to ensure that key service touch points are consistently checked and maintained. This includes observing guest interactions, monitoring waiting areas, and ensuring that guests are acknowledged even when delays occur.
Service touch points may include greeting guests at the entrance, providing menus promptly, informing guests about wait times, and checking in on guests who are waiting to be seated. The Host / Hostess should remain visible and accessible, ready to respond to guest inquiries or concerns related to seating and initial service.
Maintenance of Menus and Service Items
Another key responsibility is maintaining clean and presentable menus, baby chairs, crockery, and cutlery, particularly in takeaway and waiting areas. The Host / Hostess must ensure that menus are clean, complete, and readily available for guests.
Baby chairs and related items should be checked regularly for cleanliness and safety. Crockery and cutlery used in takeaway stations must be maintained in a hygienic and orderly condition. This aspect of the role supports overall cleanliness standards and contributes to a positive impression of the restaurant.
Takeaway and Seated Guest Support
The Host / Hostess is responsible for ensuring that all seated and takeaway guests are addressed appropriately. This includes acknowledging takeaway customers, guiding them through the ordering process, and ensuring that their orders are handled efficiently.
For seated guests, the Host / Hostess should ensure that they are promptly attended to by the service team after being seated. This may involve communicating with wait staff or managers to confirm that guests have been assigned correctly and that service begins without unnecessary delays.
Communication of Daily Specials and Run-Outs
The role involves assisting the manager and chef in communicating daily specials, menu highlights, or items that are unavailable. The Host / Hostess may be required to relay this information to guests at the point of seating or during initial interactions.
Clear and accurate communication of specials and run-outs helps manage guest expectations and supports smooth service operations. The Host / Hostess must ensure that any information shared with guests aligns with guidance provided by management and the kitchen team.
Support for Mise-en-Place and Operational Readiness
The Host / Hostess is expected to support operational readiness by ensuring that necessary orders for proper mise-en-place are communicated to the manager for ordering. While not directly involved in food preparation, the Host / Hostess contributes by observing service flow and identifying potential needs related to guest volume and seating arrangements.
This may include alerting management to increased guest numbers, anticipated busy periods, or shortages in service items that could affect the guest experience.
Takeaway Orders and Phone Assistance
The position includes assisting in taking and fulfilling takeaway orders via phone when required. The Host / Hostess should answer calls professionally, record orders accurately, and ensure that information is passed on to the relevant team members.
This responsibility requires clear communication skills and attention to detail to ensure that orders are prepared correctly and that guests receive accurate information regarding order collection times.
Guest Experience and Satisfaction
A central expectation of the role is ensuring that guests’ needs are met throughout the entire dining experience, from arrival to departure. The Host / Hostess should remain attentive to guest behavior and be proactive in identifying situations where assistance may be required.
This includes responding to guest concerns related to seating, wait times, or general comfort and escalating issues to management when necessary. The Host / Hostess should contribute positively to the overall atmosphere of the restaurant by maintaining professionalism and composure at all times.
Teamwork and Collaboration
The Host / Hostess is expected to contribute to team efforts aimed at achieving high levels of customer satisfaction. This involves working collaboratively with managers, chefs, wait staff, and other team members to support service goals.
Effective teamwork includes sharing information, assisting colleagues when needed, and following established procedures. The Host / Hostess should demonstrate a cooperative approach and a willingness to support the wider team during busy service periods.
Guest Departure and Farewell
At the conclusion of the dining experience, the Host / Hostess is responsible for bidding farewell to guests as they exit the branch. This final interaction is an important part of the guest journey and should be handled with courtesy and professionalism.
Acknowledging guests as they leave helps reinforce a positive impression and encourages repeat visits. The Host / Hostess should thank guests for their visit and ensure that they leave the restaurant feeling valued.
Work Environment and Expectations
The Host / Hostess role is based in a restaurant environment that may involve standing for extended periods, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, and interacting with a diverse range of guests. The position requires flexibility, as working hours may include weekends, holidays, and peak dining times.
The organization expects Hosts and Hostesses to adhere to established service standards, hygiene practices, and workplace policies. Punctuality, reliability, and a professional appearance are important aspects of the role.
Application Information
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications on or before 31 January 2026. Multiple positions are available, and applications will be reviewed in line with operational requirements.
