At a Glance
- Tasks: Support daily operations and lead a vibrant team in a contemporary Mexican restaurant.
- Company: Fonda, a modern Mexican eatery with a focus on quality and hospitality.
- Benefits: 50% staff discount, free meals, career development, and extra holiday days.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for growth within award-winning MJMK Restaurants.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in restaurant management and strong leadership skills required.
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 in London employer: Fonda
Contact Detail:
Fonda Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Restaurant Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the restaurant scene! Visit Fonda and other local spots to understand their vibe. This will help you chat about what makes Fonda special during your interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips and maybe even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! Prepare examples of how you've motivated teams in the past. Fonda values strong leaders, so let us see how you shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our Fonda family.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Restaurant Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality: When writing your application, let your love for the restaurant industry shine through! Share 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 experience in supervisory roles and any specific achievements that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to maintain high service standards.
Be Authentic and Personal: We want to get to know the real you! Use a friendly tone in your application and don’t be afraid to share personal anecdotes that reflect your journey in the hospitality industry. This helps us see how you fit into our vibrant team culture.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, your application goes straight to us, and we can review it promptly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining the Fonda family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fonda
✨Know Your Mexican Cuisine
Familiarise yourself with the regional dishes and cooking techniques that Fonda showcases. Being able to discuss specific dishes and their origins will show your passion for the cuisine and align with the restaurant's ethos.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your previous roles where you successfully led a team or managed service under pressure. Highlight how you motivated your team and maintained high service standards, as this is crucial for the Assistant Restaurant Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Think of scenarios where you effectively communicated with both front- and back-of-house teams. Be ready to discuss how you ensure smooth operations and foster a collaborative environment, which is key in a fast-paced restaurant setting.
✨Emphasise Attention to Detail
Be prepared to talk about how you maintain consistency and quality in service. Share specific instances where your attention to detail made a difference, whether in service planning or daily operations, as this aligns with Fonda's commitment to excellence.