At a Glance
- Tasks: Support daily operations and lead a vibrant team in a contemporary Mexican restaurant.
- Company: Join Fonda, a modern eatery showcasing regional Mexican cuisine with a family-run vibe.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% staff discount, free meals, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal growth and well-being support.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting culinary journey and make a real impact on guest experiences.
- Qualifications: Previous supervisory experience in a quality restaurant and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About FONDA
Fonda is an exciting, contemporary Mexican restaurant, years in the making from chef Santiago Lastra and MJMK Restaurants. Opened in 2024 in Mayfair's Heddon Street, Fonda has showcased regional Mexican cooking through Santiago's unique lens, presented in an elegant, vibrant style, complemented by contemporary design.
In Mexico, a Fonda is a family-owned eatery, serving traditional dishes in an informal setting, each inspired by personal recipes from the generations that came before. Santiago Lastra's Fonda builds on this concept to showcase recipes from across the country. Though seemingly simple, Fonda's dishes draw on the quality and provenance of ingredients, combined with innovative techniques to elicit the flavours of Mexico in a modern way. The warmth and genuine hospitality is at the forefront of how we look after our team and guests, replicating Mexico's traditional family-run Fondas.
We are looking for an experienced and driven Assistant Restaurant Manager to support the day-to-day running of Fonda. Working closely with the General Manager, you will help lead the team, maintain high service standards, and ensure smooth operations across the restaurant in a fast-paced, quality-focused environment.
Assistant Restaurant Manager's requirements:
- Previous experience in a supervisory or management role within a quality restaurant environment
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and support a diverse team
- Excellent communication skills across front- and back-of-house teams
- Confident managing service, people, and operational priorities simultaneously
- Strong understanding of service standards
- Ability to lead by example and remain calm under pressure
- High attention to detail and commitment to consistency and quality
- Experience supporting rotas, service planning, and daily operations
- Professional, reliable, and well-organised
- Positive, proactive mindset with a desire to develop and progress
What we offer to our Assistant Restaurant Manager:
- 50% staff discount across all MJMK restaurants
- Free staff meals while on shift
- Up to £500 team referral bonus
- Opportunity to develop your career with MJMK Restaurants
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after your first year with us
- Extra days holiday every year you're with us, up to 5 extra days
- Wide range of benefits from Hospitality Action - Including: mental health & well-being support, Benefits Hub with retail discounts, wellness podcast, nutrition-focused recipes, digital gym, mindfulness meditation, as well as Employee Assistance Program
- Company sick pay after one year of service
About MJMK Restaurants
MJMK Restaurants own and operate a collection of award-winning restaurants. Founded in 2018 by lifelong friends Jake Kasumov and Marco Mendes, our journey began with Casa do Frango. In 2020, we partnered with chef patron Santiago Lastra to open KOL, a restaurant in Marylebone celebrating Mexican cuisine with British ingredients. KOL has since earned a Michelin Star and been named one of the World's 50 Best Restaurants.
In 2024 saw two new ventures: Fonda, a contemporary Mexican concept in Mayfair - our second collaboration with Santiago Lastra - and AngloThai in Marylebone, a debut restaurant from husband-and-wife John and Desiree Chantarasak, blending Thai flavours with British ingredients. Within three months of opening, AngloThai earned a Michelin star.
In the 2025 National Restaurant Awards, AngloThai was named The Square Opening of the Year and ranked 7th in the Top 100 list, followed by KOL at number 50. Luso, a contemporary Portuguese restaurant in Fitzrovia, opened in September 2025.
We'd love to hear from you if you're an experienced Assistant Restaurant Manager and you're up for a new challenge and opportunity.
Assistant Restaurant Manager employer: Fonda
Contact Detail:
Fonda Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Restaurant Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the restaurant industry, especially those who might know someone at Fonda. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get an interview, let your passion for hospitality shine through. Share stories about your experiences and how you've led teams in the past – it’s all about making that personal connection.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Fonda and its unique vibe. Understand their menu and values, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. This shows you're genuinely interested and not just another applicant.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Restaurant Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality: When writing your application, let your love for the restaurant industry shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for providing excellent service and creating memorable dining experiences.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Assistant Restaurant Manager role at Fonda. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with our values and the job description, showing us why you're the perfect fit!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon, making it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience without getting lost in unnecessary details.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Fonda.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fonda
✨Know Your Mexican Cuisine
Familiarise yourself with the unique dishes and flavours of regional Mexican cooking. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to maintaining the authenticity and quality of Fonda's menu, as well as any personal experiences you have with similar cuisines.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your previous roles where you've successfully led a team or improved service standards. Highlight your ability to motivate staff and manage operations under pressure, as this is crucial for the Assistant Restaurant Manager position.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice clear and confident communication, especially in scenarios involving both front- and back-of-house teams. Being able to articulate your thoughts and ideas will demonstrate your strong communication skills, which are essential for this role.
✨Emphasise Attention to Detail
Be ready to discuss how you ensure consistency and quality in service. Share specific instances where your attention to detail made a difference in the dining experience, as this aligns with Fonda's commitment to high service standards.