Join us
as a Head Waiter at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, recently recognised as one
of ‘The Sunday Times Top 10 Best Places to Work for’ in 2024 and ‘Hotel of the
year – London’ at the 2024 AA Hospitality Awards. We continually strive to
build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is part of our DNA, reflected
in our values of passion, personality, respect, working together, and
creativity. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our culture and
drives our success.
We care
about your career and are proud to have the absolute best people in the
industry. When you
join us as a Head Waiter at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, you will have a
unique opportunity to excel in your field.
You will learn from your fellow
Legends and our award-winning learning academy to achieve the highest standards
in craft, service, and leadership.
What you’ll do
As a Head
Waiter, you'll enjoy your work and take pride in delighting our guests:
* You will
be responsible for delivering food to guests, working closely with both the
kitchen (culinary) team and the wine service (sommelier) team to ensure
exceptional guest service during the day. This will include preparation of
equipment and setting up tables before the restaurant opens to ensure our guests
receive the best experience.
* You will
also be responsible for completing the closing duties at the end of the day
such as cleaning tables, storing equipment, and resetting the dining area.
* Occasionally,
guests may have special requests, including dietary needs, specific food or
wine preferences, or requests for special celebrations. Most of these requests
will be fulfilled by our Head Waiters.
The items
shared are the essence of a day in the life of a Head Waiter, but we’ll make
sure you are provided with specifics on how we care for our hotel.
The
operational hours of work are shift-based and may be subjected to change. These
currently set as:
* Tuesday
to Saturday: 14:30 - close
* Sunday
and Monday: Off
What you’ll bring
Essential
Skills:
* Attention to Detail: Ability to carefully follow
procedures and ensure accuracy in orders and service
* Communication Skills: Clear verbal communication
to interact with guests and team members; ability to adapt communication
style to suit different guests’ needs
* Teamwork: Willingness to work closely
with kitchen staff and other front-of-house team members to ensure smooth
service.
* Customer Service: Ability to create a
welcoming atmosphere and respond positively to guests' needs or concerns.
* Organization: Capacity to manage time
effectively and handle multiple tasks during busy service.
* Problem-Solving: Ability to think quickly
and calmly when addressing guest requests or unexpected situations.
* Manual Dexterity: Capability to handle table
setting, plate presentation, and serving dishes with precision.
Preferred Skills
* Knowledge of Fine Dining
Etiquette:
Familiarity with Michelin-level service standards, but training will be
provided.
* Language Skills: Additional languages beyond English can be helpful for communicating
with a diverse clientele.
* Experience in Luxury or High-End
Dining: Previous
experience in a fine dining or Michelin-starred environment is beneficial.
What you’ll get
* Complimentary Stays: Enjoy complimentary stays with
breakfast at Dorchester Collection Hotels every year.
* Discounts: Get 50% off food and beverages
at selected bars and restaurants within the Dorchester Collection: Enjoy
Friends & Family stay discounts out hotels, Benefit from discounts at
various high street and online shops
* Employee Perks: Enrol from day 1 into the Aviva
Private Pension scheme (we contribute 8% towards your pension); Benefit from
Seasonal ticket loan, Rental deposit scheme, private financial advice, and Eye
care vouchers.
* Training and Development: Advance in your career by
accessing various apprenticeships from Level 2 to Hospitality Degree Level 5.
We partner with outstanding nationally recognised Apprenticeship providers.
* Social
Events: Participate in vibrant social events, including a summer party, winter
ball, pub quizzes, and cultural and milestone recognition celebrations.
* Referral Bonus: Earn a £1000 bonus when you
recommend a friend.
* Well-being Support: Access immediate well-being
advice because we care about our employees.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to
creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. If you need
us to do anything to support you during the recruitment process (such as
adjustments to how you apply,
alternative formats of information, or adjustments to the assessment process
itself), please do call People & Culture team on 02073197011 or email PeopleAndCultureLondon.UK@dorchestercollection.com so that we can discuss how we
can support you through this process.