At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve guests with a smile and ensure a fantastic dining experience.
- Company: Join Dishoom, a celebrated restaurant group inspired by Bombay's Irani cafes.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, flexible shifts, wellness support, and discounts for friends and family.
- Other info: No uniforms required; smart casual attire is encouraged.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team that values your growth and well-being while making a social impact.
- Qualifications: Must have at least 1 year of experience in a busy restaurant environment.
We are proud to be recognised as one of the best places to work in Hospitality. Looking after people is at the core of what we do and we work hard to make life at Dishoom the best it can be. Since 2010, our restaurants have celebrated the Irani cafes and all of the food and drink of Bombay. We have Dishoom Cafes across London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham. Our Permit Rooms can be found in Brighton, Cambridge and Oxford, with our newest Bar-Cafe opening in Portobello later this Spring!
As well as running busy sites with big teams, we also understand the importance of doing more. From planting trees with our teams in the UK and India, tying Rakhis with our guests, to our dedication to helping to feed children through Meal for a Meal. Since January 2024, we have donated 20 million meals and counting, with each Dishoomwalle contributing to 55 meals per shift!
How we’ll support you
At Dishoom, we care about supporting you and your well-being (inside and outside of work). With this, we tend to think about our team’s well-being in four different ways:
- Financial
- Free weekly wage advances and emergency cash.
- Access to our savings support & 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 & Physical
- All Babus (Managers) are fully trained in mental health support & First Aid.
- Dedicated support from our confidential advice helpline - available to you or someone in your household 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
- On demand GP appointments, free counselling sessions and life coaching through our wellness app.
- Free fitness sessions every month (including yoga and spin classes).
- Calling all cricket fans, we have our very own Dishoom Premier League (an in-house cricket tournament) where you get to compete with your team at Lord’s.
- Socials
- We’re a growing company and love nothing more than bringing our teams (and families) together to celebrate everyone’s hard work across the year.
- You’ll be invited to our Family Mela (Family summer festival) and Huge Christmas celebration.
- Plus, we host regular team events across our cafes.
- Team members who work at Dishoom for 5 years are invited to attend Bombay Bootcamp – an incredible once-in-a-lifetime guided tour of Bombay with our co-founders.
What to expect:
- Free team meals every shift, plus all the Chai you can drink!
- £16 per hour inclusive of tronc (based on the last 3-month’s average). We pay on a monthly basis.
- A full-time role working across 5 days, Monday - Sunday availability required.
- A weekly changing rota provided at least 6 days in advance.
- We’re an all day dining Bar-Cafe meaning our teams work a variety of daytime and evening shifts.
- Access to our award-winning training programmes and support. We focus on your development from day one and proudly promoted 211 Dishoomwalles last year!
- The usual number of days holiday a year - paid for at your usual rate. Our sites are closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and if you have children, we’ll provide one 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.
Have you got Seva?
In Dishoom, we see every team member as valuable and important to ensuring the all-around brilliant experience for our guests. We’re looking for friendly, attentive and organised people to join our Permit Room Bar-Cafe team in Oxford.
Our Front of House Team
- Greet our guests day or night with a smile that makes them instantly feel welcomed.
- Transport our guests to the Permit Rooms of Bombay, with awesome knowledge of all of our drinks, bar snacks, curries, sharing plates and well-loved Dishoom dishes.
- You are on point for your guests’ experience; you ensure there is clear communication to your team, so that everything runs smoothly and nothing goes amiss.
- Pour each drink to perfection and not forgetting to replace the last bottle in the fridge.
- Make each coffee and cup of Chai, with the same importance as the first one of the day.
So what are we looking for?
- Previous work experience as a Server/Waiter/Waitress - at least 1 year minimum, in a high volume restaurant environment, following detailed steps of service (including Allergen procedures) and managing a busy section.
- A desire to grow - we only promote our Head Waiters from within, plus our award-winning Babu (Manager) Masterclass programme supports our teams with the tools to be our future leaders.
- Over time, you’ll be provided with cross-training and exposure within your role to the Host and Cocktail Bartender departments.
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.
Server employer: Babu House
Contact Detail:
Babu House Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Server
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Dishoom's unique culture and values. Understanding their commitment to hospitality and community will help you connect with the team during your interview, showing that you share their passion for providing an exceptional experience.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your knowledge of Indian cuisine and drinks, especially those served at Dishoom. Being able to discuss menu items confidently will impress your interviewers and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples from your previous experience that highlight your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Share specific instances where you successfully managed multiple tables or handled difficult situations, as this will showcase your skills as a server.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your eagerness to grow within the company. Mention your interest in their training programmes and how you aspire to take on more responsibilities, which aligns with Dishoom's focus on promoting from within.
We think you need these skills to ace Server
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in high-volume restaurant environments. Emphasise your previous roles as a Server, Waiter, or Waitress, and include specific examples of how you followed detailed steps of service.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality and your understanding of Dishoom's values. Mention your desire to grow within the company and how you can contribute to creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests.
Showcase Your Knowledge: In your application, demonstrate your knowledge of Dishoom's menu and the Irani cafe culture. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience.
Highlight Teamwork Skills: Since teamwork is crucial in a busy restaurant environment, make sure to highlight your ability to communicate effectively with team members. Provide examples of how you've contributed to a smooth operation in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Babu House
✨Show Your Passion for Hospitality
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the hospitality industry during the interview. Share specific experiences that highlight your love for serving others and creating memorable dining experiences.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Dishoom
Familiarise yourself with Dishoom's menu, values, and unique offerings. Being able to discuss their dishes or the concept of Irani cafes will show your genuine interest in the role and the company.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
Since working at Dishoom involves being part of a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with colleagues in previous roles. Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively and support your teammates.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess how you would handle specific situations, such as dealing with difficult customers or managing a busy service. Think of examples from your past experience that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.