At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver exceptional service, take orders, and ensure a memorable dining experience.
- Company: Join Dakota Hotels, a stylish and growing lifestyle brand in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40% off stays, flexible working, and access to mental health support.
- Why this job: Be part of a positive culture with opportunities for growth and development.
- Qualifications: 1 year of hospitality experience and a proactive, outgoing personality.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 16 £ per hour.
Dakota Hotel based in Leeds City Centre are seeking an outgoing individual with waiting experience for the role of Restaurant Waiter / Waitress to deliver exceptional service to our guests.
CONTRACT AND PAY RATE
The role carries a permanent contract with typical hours 12 - 16.5 hours per week, working any 2/3 days out of 7 including weekends. Earnings are £13.30 per hour (inclusive of the anticipated tronc payment), paid weekly. Estimated start date 29th January 2026.
PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Carry out the role of a section waiter/waitress, providing table service, taking guest orders and running large trays of delicious food to guest tables.
- Provide the highest levels of guest service, offering personalised dish and beverage recommendations, and delivering a memorable dining experience.
- Work closely with the Bar and Kitchen team to ensure the effective flow of communication.
- To have a comprehensive knowledge of food and beverage menu options to enhance the guest experience.
BENEFITS
- 40 per cent off stays at any Dakota
- 25 per cent off drinks and dining at any Dakota
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program which includes:
- Free private mental health support and counselling sessions
- Video GP consultations and private prescription services
- Access to daily rewards to be cashed out for shopping vouchers
Full terms on our benefits can be found in our Handbook.
ABOUT DAKOTA HOTELS
Dakota is a growing UK-based lifestyle brand, known for our stylish hotels, bustling brasserie Grills and upscale cocktail Bars. Dakota’s story started with two boutique hotels on the outskirts of Edinburgh, in South Queensferry, and Glasgow, in Eurocentral. We have now expanded into prime city centre locations in Glasgow, Leeds, and Manchester, with Newcastle coming in 2025 and more in our pipeline. Dakota is synonymous for delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard-working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards and have been voted within The Caterer’s Top 15 Best Employers in Hospitality for the last five years in a row. We were also featured within the Top 10 employers in the 2024 Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK, as well as being awarded the Spotlight Award for Best Places to Work for LGBTQIA+ employees.
As recent winners of The Cateys ‘People Team of the Year’, we have award-winning internal training programmes within Dakota Academy fostering continuous development and ongoing training. As a result, over 75% of our leaders have been promoted internally and, for four consecutive years, a member of our team has won a prestigious Acorn Award awarded by The Caterer to the ‘Top 30 under 30’ in the industry, demonstrating our success in developing talent.
Our location, 8 Russell St, Leeds LS1 5RN, ideally located on Greek Street, we are just a 5 min walk from Leeds Train Station. We are also easily accessible by bus, close to the east parade bus link and within a 10 min walk from Leeds Bus Station. We are a 94-bedroom luxury hotel boasting a destination cocktail bar with a champagne room, and brasserie-style Grill.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
- At least 1 year working experience, ideally in a hospitality environment.
- Ability to work at pace and be proactive for the duration of your shift.
- Willing and able to pour, serve and sell alcohol.
- Be an outgoing personality with effective communication skills.
- Be able to be physically active in your role, standing for much of your shift and working at pace.
- An enthusiastic individual who will promote our culture of positivity.
- Be task oriented with a great pride for the work they do and attention to detail.
- Flexible with shift patterns and available around the needs of our business.
- Successful candidates must demonstrate having researched our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team.
APPLY
Please send us your up to date CV. Visit our Careers page to learn about current opportunities and find your #DreamRolesAtDakota – we’d love to hear from you!
Restaurant Waiter/Waitress - Part time in Leeds employer: Dakota Leeds
Contact Detail:
Dakota Leeds Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Restaurant Waiter/Waitress - Part time in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Dakota! Research the hotel, its culture, and what makes it special. This will help you stand out during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a waiter/waitress, you'll need to connect with guests and work closely with the kitchen and bar teams. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Be flexible with your availability! Dakota values individuals who can adapt to different shifts. Highlight your willingness to work weekends and evenings when you chat with them.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you can explore all the perks and benefits we offer while you're there!
We think you need these skills to ace Restaurant Waiter/Waitress - Part time in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We’re looking for outgoing individuals, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Restaurant Waiter/Waitress. Highlight any relevant experience in hospitality and showcase your skills in providing exceptional guest service. We want to see how you can contribute to our positive culture!
Do Your Research: Before applying, take some time to research Dakota Hotels. Mentioning specific details about our brand or values in your application will show us that you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll find all the information you need about the role and our amazing benefits there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dakota Leeds
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you familiarise yourself with Dakota's food and beverage offerings. Being able to discuss menu items confidently will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and ready to provide exceptional service.
✨Show Off Your Personality
As a waiter or waitress, your outgoing personality is key! During the interview, let your enthusiasm shine through. Share experiences where you've gone above and beyond for guests, as this will demonstrate your commitment to delivering memorable dining experiences.
✨Practice Effective Communication
Communication is crucial in a restaurant setting. Prepare to discuss how you would handle communication between the bar and kitchen teams. You might even want to role-play scenarios where you need to relay orders or manage guest requests efficiently.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since the role requires working various shifts, be prepared to discuss your availability openly. Highlight your willingness to adapt to the needs of the business, and share any previous experiences where you successfully managed flexible working hours.