At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome guests, take orders, serve food, and create a warm dining experience.
- Company: Ottolenghi, known for vibrant food and a supportive team culture.
- Benefits: 28 days leave, delicious staff meals, health support, and learning opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy exclusive workshops and a collaborative environment where your ideas matter.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and make every guest feel special in a beloved community spot.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality and a passion for food and guest experiences.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 15 £ per hour.
At Ottolenghi, we’re known for vibrant food, busy delis, and restaurants full of energy—but what really matters is our people. We create environments where teams feel supported, take pride in what they do, and deliver a genuinely warm experience to every guest. Ottolenghi Hampstead brings the warmth and creativity of our delis to one of London's most beloved neighbourhoods. Nestled in the heart of Hampstead village, our deli has become a cherished gathering place for the local community.
What you’ll do:
- Welcome and seat guests, ensuring they feel looked after from the moment they arrive.
- Take food and drink orders accurately and with genuine knowledge of the menu.
- Serve food and beverages with care, attention to detail, and great timing.
- Build rapport with guests and respond to their needs proactively.
- Maintain the dining room to a high standard throughout service.
- Collaborate with kitchen and bar teams to ensure smooth service flow.
- Handle guest queries and feedback with professionalism and warmth.
- Support the wider front-of-house team and pitch in wherever needed.
What we’re looking for:
- Previous experience as a waiter or in front-of-house hospitality.
- A genuine passion for food, drink, and creating great guest experiences.
- A warm, confident communicator who thrives in a team environment.
Key skills:
- Excellent knowledge of food and drink service.
- Attentive, calm, and professional under pressure.
- A genuine love of hospitality and making guests feel welcome.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Well-organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Comfortable using relevant IT systems.
- Ability to multitask and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment.
- Calm under pressure with a solution-focused mindset.
- A genuine passion for food, drink, and guest experience and continuous improvement.
What’s in it for you?
- 28 days annual leave per year, inclusive of bank holidays.
- Delicious Ottolenghi staff meals on shift and generous staff discount.
- Health and well-being support through our HSF healthcare plan (covering dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more), plus a 24/7 GP helpline and access to Perkbox discounts.
- Refer a Friend Bonus: £500 for each successful referral.
- Learning & Development opportunities including management coaching, WSET wine training, Ottolenghi Chef’s Academy workshops, and access to external courses.
- A warm, inclusive working culture where individuality, growth, and creativity are celebrated.
- Enhanced Parental Pay after two years’ service.
- A special birthday treat to celebrate your day.
- Exclusive workshops and demos, including cooking, food, wine, and cocktail sessions in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen.
- A collaborative and creative environment where your ideas are valued.
If you care about great food, great people, and doing things properly, we'd love to hear from you.
Waiter employer: Ottolenghi Hampstead
At Ottolenghi, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that values creativity and individuality. Located in the heart of Hampstead, our deli not only serves delicious food but also offers employees generous benefits such as 28 days of annual leave, health and well-being support, and extensive learning opportunities to help you grow in your career. Join us to be part of a team that is passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences while enjoying a supportive environment that celebrates your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waiter
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, pop into Ottolenghi Hampstead and soak up the atmosphere. Familiarise yourself with the menu and the vibe. This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you connect with the team during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a waiter, you'll need to be warm and engaging. Try role-playing with a friend or family member to get comfortable with welcoming guests and taking orders. The more natural it feels, the better!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for food and drink! Be ready to share your favourite dishes or drinks from the menu during your interview. This not only highlights your knowledge but also your enthusiasm for creating great guest experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Waiter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality:When writing your application, let your love for food and hospitality shine through. Share any experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for creating memorable guest experiences—this is what we value at Ottolenghi!
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; give us the juicy details! Talk about specific situations where you’ve excelled in a busy environment or how you’ve built rapport with guests. We want to see how you can bring your skills to our team.
Keep It Warm and Friendly:Your application should reflect the warm and inviting atmosphere we create at Ottolenghi. Use a friendly tone and make sure your personality comes through—after all, we’re looking for someone who can connect with our guests!
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. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ottolenghi Hampstead
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you familiarise yourself with Ottolenghi's menu. Understand the ingredients, flavours, and any special dishes. This will not only impress your interviewers but also show your genuine passion for food and drink.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role is all about creating a warm experience for guests, be prepared to share examples of how you've built rapport with customers in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you handle feedback or queries with professionalism.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Ottolenghi values collaboration, so come ready to discuss how you work well in a team. Share specific instances where you’ve supported colleagues or contributed to a smooth service flow, especially in busy environments.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but it's important to convey that you can remain calm and solution-focused during busy service times. Prepare to talk about how you manage stress and multitask effectively, perhaps by sharing a relevant story from your previous experience.
