At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the friendly voice for guests, handling bookings and queries with warmth and expertise.
- Company: Join Dishoom, a celebrated restaurant group inspired by Bombay's Irani cafés.
- Benefits: Earn £15.50/hour, enjoy flexible hours, and access wellness support and training.
- Other info: Enjoy team events, career growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on guests' experiences while developing your hospitality skills.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and a passion for helping others are essential.
The predicted salary is between 15.5 - 15.5 £ per hour.
Have you got Seva?
Every day, hundreds of people get in touch with us wanting to celebrate a birthday, book a big table, tell us about an allergy, or simply ask what time we open.
You're the person they reach.
Before anyone tastes a Bacon Naan Roll or hears the buzz of a Friday night café, they've spoken to you, and that first conversation sets the tone for everything that follows.
This is a proper hospitality role that happens to be at a desk. You're not reading from a script, you're looking after people.
About the role
You'll be part of our Guest Services team, based at Babu House (head office) and looking after guests across all of our cafés and Permit Rooms.
Phone, email, social, live chat.
You'll handle bookings, requests, questions and the occasional grumble, and you'll be the link between our guests and our café teams.
It's fast, it's varied, and no two shifts look the same.
- What you'll be doing
- Being our guests' first impression. Greeting everyone with real warmth, whatever channel they come through, and making them feel instantly at ease.
- Becoming a genuine expert on Dishoom. Our menus, our reservation policy, our sites, our stories, so you can answer confidently and find a way to say yes wherever we can.
- Listening properly. Not waiting for your turn to talk, not jumping to conclusions. Understanding what someone actually needs, then going a step further than they expected.
- Taking ownership when things go wrong. Leaning into problems, finding the fix rather than passing it on, and looking for ways to solve things once and for all.
- Keeping it positive. We tell guests what we can do rather than what we can't.
- Recording everything beautifully. Dietary requirements, special occasions, access needs, all captured clearly so the café team is never caught out.
- Being the bridge. Flawless communication between guests and our café teams so everyone has the same information and nobody is surprised.
- Asking your Babu (Manager) for help when you need it, and flagging when a teammate needs a hand.
So, what are we looking for?
- Some customer-facing experience behind you, ideally 6 to 12 months or more.
Hospitality, retail, contact centre, guest services, anywhere you've had to look after real people in real time.
- Experience with reservations, bookings systems or guest comms would be brilliant, though we'll teach you our systems from scratch if the rest is there.
- A natural communicator, in writing and on the phone. Warm, clear and human, never robotic.
- Organised and detail-minded. You get things written down properly and you follow a process without losing the personality.
- Calm under pressure and self-aware enough to keep your own head straight on a busy day.
- Comfortable with tech and happy to learn new tools.
- Above all, Seva. Big-hearted and first-class in everything you do.
- What to expect
- £15.50 per hour. We pay monthly.
- A full-time role, 5 days a week, with Monday to Sunday availability required.
- Based at our head office.
- A weekly changing rota provided at least 6 days in advance.
- Access to our award-winning training programmes. We focus on your development from day one and proudly promoted 211 Dishoomwalles last year.
- The usual number of days holiday a year, paid at your usual rate.
We're closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and if you have children we'll give you an extra day to take them to their first day at school.
- No uniforms here. Smart casual and comfortable is key, and of course trainers are fine.
- How we’ll support you
At Dishoom, we care about supporting you and your wellbeing, inside and outside of work. We tend to think about it in a few different ways.
- Financial
- Free weekly wage advances and emergency cash.
- Access to our savings support and financial health planning tool.
- Up to 50% off when dining at Dishoom with friends and family.
- Enhanced family leave and pay, plus specific Dishoom-walle benefits for those growing little families.
- Mental and physical
- All Babus (Managers) are fully trained in mental health support and First Aid.
- A confidential advice helpline for you or anyone in your household, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- On demand GP appointments, free counselling sessions and life coaching through our wellness app.
- Free fitness sessions every month, including yoga and spin.
- Calling all cricket fans, we have our very own Dishoom Premier League, an in-house tournament where you compete with your team at Lord's.
- Socials
We love nothing more than bringing our teams and their families together to celebrate everyone's hard work.
You’ll be invited to our Family Mela (our family summer festival) and our huge Christmas celebration, plus we host regular team events across our cafés.
Team members who reach 5 years with us are invited to Bombay Bootcamp, an incredible once-in-a-lifetime educational guided tour of Bombay. Over 200 people came last year.
A little about us
Since 2010, our restaurants have celebrated the Irani cafés and all of the food and drink of Bombay.
We have Dishoom cafés across London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Our Permit Rooms can be found in Brighton, Cambridge and Oxford, with our newest Bar-Café in Portobello.
We also have kitchens across London so our guests can enjoy our food at home.
We're proud to be recognised as one of the best places to work in hospitality.
And we care about doing more, from planting trees with our teams in the UK and India, to tying Rakhis with our guests, to Meal for a Meal.
Since January 2024 we've donated 20 million meals and counting, with each Dishoomwalle contributing 55 meals per shift.
At Dishoom, everyone is welcome.
We are committed to having an inclusive and diverse workplace and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds, identities and experiences to apply for roles with us.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Reservations/Guest services employer: Babu House
Dishoom in Edinburgh is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where team members are valued and supported. With extensive training, flexible hours, and delicious team meals, employees can thrive both personally and professionally while enjoying a competitive wage. Join us to be part of a diverse team that celebrates inclusivity and growth in a dynamic café environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Reservations/Guest services
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Babu House. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Babu House
Don't be shy about reaching out to Babu House directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Reservations/Guest services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Babu House and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babu House
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!