At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome guests, take orders, serve food, and ensure a fantastic dining experience.
- Company: Ottolenghi, a vibrant restaurant known for its exciting and progressive dining.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, delicious staff meals, health support, and referral bonuses.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and create memorable experiences for guests every day.
- Qualifications: Previous hospitality experience and a love for food and guest service.
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. ROVI is Ottolenghi's flagship restaurant on Wells Street, celebrating vegetables and live-fire cooking in a way that is entirely our own. Since opening in 2019, ROVI has established itself as one of London's most exciting and progressive dining destinations.
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.
- 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.
Waiter employer: ROVI
At Ottolenghi, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and supportive work culture where our team members are valued and encouraged to thrive. Working at ROVI on Wells Street not only offers the chance to be part of one of London's most exciting dining experiences but also provides excellent benefits such as 28 days of annual leave, delicious staff meals, and comprehensive health support. Join us to grow your career in hospitality while delivering exceptional guest experiences in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waiter
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the restaurant! Before your interview, pop into ROVI and soak up the atmosphere. Familiarise yourself with the menu and the vibe. This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Being a waiter is all about connecting with guests. Try role-playing with friends or family to get comfortable with taking orders and handling queries. The more relaxed you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for food and drink! When you chat with us during the interview, share your favourite dishes or experiences in hospitality. We love hearing about what excites you in the culinary world—it’s a great way to connect!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for joining the Ottolenghi team right from the start!
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 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; dive into the details! Talk about specific situations where you excelled in a busy environment or how you handled guest queries with warmth and professionalism. We want to see how you’ve made an impact!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the waiter position at ROVI. Use keywords from the job description and relate them to your own skills and experiences. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy—just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at ROVI
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you familiarise yourself with Ottolenghi's menu. Understand the ingredients, preparation methods, and any unique dishes. This will not only impress your interviewers but also show your genuine passion for food and drink.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
During the interview, highlight your previous experiences in hospitality. Share specific examples of how you've built rapport with guests or handled difficult situations. Remember, they’re looking for someone who can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere!
✨Demonstrate Your Calm Under Pressure
Be prepared to discuss how you manage stress in a busy environment. You might be asked situational questions, so think of times when you successfully multitasked or solved problems on the spot. Show them you can keep your cool while delivering excellent service.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they maintain high standards in service. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
