At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant team to deliver exceptional dining experiences and manage high-profile events.
- Company: Join a renowned British brasserie in the heart of Westminster.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, team meals, discounts, and extra time off for your birthday.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic environment where your leadership can shine and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality management with a passion for food and customer service.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
In the heart of historic Westminster, Old Queen Street Café is a British brasserie offering refined food in a relaxed, elegant setting. Located moments from Parliament, we serve as a space to debate the news of the day within a beautifully restored townhouse, featuring a 50-cover restaurant, events space, and private members’ club. Lantana leads the creation and delivery of this unique hospitality experience on behalf of our client, political and cultural magazine UnHerd. We are now looking for a Restaurant Manager to join the leadership team. This is a senior role for someone commercially aware, operationally sharp, and confident in taking ownership of a high‑performing site.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Driving exceptional customer experiences through active engagement and elevated hospitality
- Inspiring and developing your team through coaching, structured feedback, and clear expectations
- Maintaining high operational standards across cleanliness, safety, and compliance
- Ensuring all food and drinks are delivered to spec and with consistency
- Building and maintaining a strong day‑to‑day relationship with our client, ensuring clear communication and seamless delivery of expectations
- Owning the operational delivery of events and private dining, from planning through to execution, ensuring smooth service and maximising revenue opportunities
- Leading the team to confidently deliver high‑quality events, setting clear briefs, managing timings, and maintaining standards throughout
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing training to build a confident, capable team
- Preparing and leading for high‑demand services, events, and large bookings
- Driving sales through strong shift leadership, upselling, and team focus on items per cover
- Supporting stock control and cost management to deliver strong gross profit, minimising waste and shrinkage
- Monitoring labour and flexing the rota to maintain productivity targets
- Ensuring accurate reporting and adherence to all financial procedures
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in a management role within a quality, event driven, high‑volume hospitality environment
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to motivate and develop a team
- Commercial awareness and confidence in managing costs, labour, and sales performance
- High attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence
- A genuine passion for food, drink, and hospitality
- Someone who takes ownership, solves problems proactively, and raises standards
What We’ll Be Doing In Return
- Supporting your development into a senior leadership role within the business
- Providing structured training and progression opportunities
- Serving team meals from our menu
- Offering 50% discount across our restaurants
- Giving an additional day off for your birthday
- Providing an annual CODE app subscription
- Enrolling you into the Hospitality Action support programme
- Celebrating success through team events and socials
You must have the right to work in the UK to apply. Lantana is proud to be a London business and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are happy to provide support throughout the application process where needed.
Old Queen Street - Restaurant Manager in City of Westminster employer: Mary Rush Care Ltd
At Lantana, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer in the heart of Westminster, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters personal and professional growth. As a Restaurant Manager, you will benefit from structured training, generous discounts, and a supportive environment that celebrates diversity and inclusivity, all while leading a passionate team in delivering outstanding hospitality experiences. Join us to not only advance your career but also to be part of a unique dining experience that engages with the cultural pulse of London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Old Queen Street - Restaurant Manager in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, pop by Old Queen Street Café and soak in the atmosphere. This will help you understand their vibe and give you some great talking points during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've motivated teams in the past. We want to see that you can inspire others and drive exceptional customer experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your operational knowledge! Familiarise yourself with key metrics like cost management and sales performance. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're commercially aware and ready to take ownership.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare a few thoughtful queries about the restaurant's goals or team culture. This shows your genuine interest and helps us see how you’d fit into our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Old Queen Street - Restaurant Manager in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality:When writing your application, let your love for food and hospitality shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about creating exceptional experiences for our guests.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Make sure to showcase your experience in leading teams and driving performance. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and develop others, so share examples of how you’ve motivated your team in the past.
Be Detail-Oriented:Attention to detail is key in our industry. In your application, mention specific instances where your focus on operational excellence made a difference. This will show us that you understand the importance of maintaining high standards.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates during the process. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mary Rush Care Ltd
✨Know the Venue Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you familiarise yourself with Old Queen Street Café. Understand its menu, atmosphere, and clientele. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how you can enhance the customer experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Restaurant Manager, your leadership skills are crucial. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles. Highlight your coaching techniques and how you set clear expectations to drive performance.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
The role requires strong commercial acumen. Come ready to discuss how you've managed costs, labour, and sales performance in past positions. Use concrete figures or outcomes to illustrate your success in driving profitability while maintaining high operational standards.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about handling high-demand services and events. Think through potential scenarios you might face at Old Queen Street and how you would ensure smooth service and maximise revenue opportunities. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and operational expertise.
