Position: Head Waiter/Waitress
What will I get?
* A competitive salary of £40,000–£41,000 per annum (gross), based on a 40-hour working week and inclusive of service charge
* Enhanced annual leave, increasing with length of service
* Complimentary meals while on duty
* £1,000 “Refer a Friend” bonus scheme
* Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities
* Reward programmes, long service recognition, and employee appreciation incentives
* Employer pension contribution of 3%
* Complimentary dry cleaning
* Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
* A vibrant social calendar and engagement programme, including team events, seasonal celebrations and a quarterly Chair’s message
* Access to the HSF Health Plan*, including:
* Dental reimbursement
* 24/7 GP advice line and confidential counselling support, including assistance for dependents
* Optical reimbursement
* Complimentary cover for your partner and children
* High street and grocery discounts, discounted cinema tickets, and a wide range of retail offers
* Discounted gym memberships
As a Head Waiter/ Sloane, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring an exceptional dining experience for our guests with your focus being not only your section, but passionate knowledge of French Wines.
We are a unique property, blending a service style of gastro precision with dining room warmth, and Parisian glamour. Our menu has existed for 25 years, delivering precise dishes that cannot be found outside of us in London. This iconic menu comes from Hotel Costes in Paris, meaning we have a legacy to uphold. It is this unique legacy that draws people to us, requiring irreproachable standards, so we are strict on set up, service, intervention on a table, and guest relations.
What sets apart our more junior waiters/waitresses and our head waiters/waitresses besides an elevated service style is their wine and food knowledge, and ability to sell. Strict sommelier service is not our style. Our wine-list is French focused, so a real passion for French wine is a must, without the fluff. Honest knowledge, care, and attention when describing and serving wine, but without fanfare or dramatics.
You will collaborate closely with our Restaurant Manager, Floor Manager, and Supervisors, as well as the rest of the team to enhance guest satisfaction and foster a culture of continuous improvement. In this role you will work hard to become part of something truly unlike anywhere else in London.
Guest Experience & Service Excellence:
* Be a dynamic and visible presence on the floor—working a section while supporting the wine sales and service of more junior waiters in their sections.
* Deliver personal, intuitive service that reflects the calm elegance of our hotel and the individuality of each guest.
* Lead by example through your service, setting the tone for energy, professionalism, and guest care.
* Direct more junior members of staff on SOPs.
* Help develop junior staff by sharing deep knowledge of food, wine, and service etiquette.
* Handle guest feedback efficiently and resolve any service issues with care and urgency.
* Engage with VIP guests discreetly and professionally, maintaining the high standards expected in our unique setting.
What are we looking for?
* Minimum 1 year of experience in a similar role within a luxury dining room/property.
* Someone who is not afraid of a quiet service, where focus and commitment must still be maintained.
* Excellent knowledge of cocktails, spirits, wines and champagne. Strong French wine knowledge with an ability to treat our wines with care, but not fuss. A desire to learn more about the wines on our list is a must.
* Someone who feels at home on the dining room floor—personable, gracious, and always guest-first.
* Excellent knowledge of food with a high aptitude to learning and describing dishes with flair to both guests and team members.
* Strong upselling skills and ability to tailor service to differing guests’ needs.
* Somone who stays informed about new trends, fashions, art, and culture.
* Ability to speak and write French is desirable but not essential.
* Self-starter with creativity, high drive, and result-oriented approach.
* Strong work ethic and ability to handle tasks under pressure and meet deadlines.
* Strong leadership skills to motivate the team and maintain a high level of service.
* Calm under pressure, exceptionally detail-oriented, and always aiming higher.
* Availability to work flexible shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Who are we?
We are a 5-star luxury lifestyle boutique hotel located in the heart of Chelsea. Set in a 19th century building next to Sloane Square station and featuring a rooftop restaurant, an intimate cocktail bar, and thirty exceptionally designed bedrooms, the property has been elegantly restored to create unique experiences.
Within one of London’s most stylish interiors, the hotel combines the quintessentially British style of the Cadogan Estate with a unique French touch. Designed as an exceptional and inspiring destination, it highlights the distinguished and historic pedigree of the Sloane Square Conservation Area in a private and intimate setting.
Independently run, the hotel employs passionate, focused individuals with a determination to succeed. To assist us in hosting our wonderful clients, we are on the search for the ambassadors of this truly unique property. They will be given the opportunity to make their own mark while delivering an exceptional service of unparalleled quality.
*Upon successful completion of the probation period
*The service charge range fluctuates based on our forecasted business levels and may vary from month to month.