Afternoon Tea Head Waiter - Harrogate

Grantley Hall; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Grantley Hall in Harrogate is seeking a seasoned Senior Tea Service Manager to oversee the complete afternoon tea service—from preparation through to presentation—ensuring every guest experience reflects our luxury standards and impeccable hospitality.

You will lead, coach and schedule a diverse team of waitstaff, bartenders and kitchen assistants, maintain flawless table settings and beverage service, monitor costs, safety, and quality, and collaborate with the culinary team on menus and

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in a senior waiting or tea service role at a luxury hotel or high-end restaurant.
• Exceptional knowledge of traditional British afternoon tea etiquette, food handling and premium beverage service.
• Strong leadership and people management with a track record of developing motivated teams.
• Excellent communication with guests and internal teams, reflecting honesty and clarity.
• Ability to work flexibly, including weekends/holidays, while maintaining composure.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and curiosity about hospitality trends.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the complete afternoon tea service, from preparation through to presentation, ensuring every guest experience reflects the hotel's luxury standards.
• Lead, coach and schedule a team of waitstaff, bartenders and kitchen assistants, fostering a collaborative and high performance environment.
• Maintain meticulous attention to detail in table settings, food and beverage quality, and service flow, adhering to health and safety regulations.
• Coordinate with the culinary team to manage inventory, special dietary requests and seasonal menu updates.
• Handle guest enquiries and resolve any service issues promptly, turning challenges into memorable moments.
• Monitor and control service costs, waste and portion control while upholding the highest standards of presentation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, sharing ideas that enhance efficiency and guest satisfaction.

Skills

Leadership

Team coaching

Guest service

Communication

Attention to detail

Cost control

Health & safety

Job description

• Oversee the complete afternoon tea service, from preparation through to presentation, ensuring every guest experience reflects the hotel's luxury standards.
• Lead, coach and schedule a team of waitstaff, bartenders and kitchen assistants, fostering a collaborative and high performance environment.
• Maintain meticulous attention to detail in table settings, food and beverage quality, and service flow, adhering to health and safety regulations.
• Coordinate with the culinary team to manage inventory, special dietary requests and seasonal menu updates.
• Handle guest enquiries and resolve any service issues promptly, turning challenges into memorable moments.
• Monitor and control service costs, waste and portion control while upholding the highest standards of presentation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, sharing ideas that enhance efficiency and guest satisfaction.
• Proven experience (minimum 3 years) in a senior waiting or tea service role within a luxury hotel or high end restaurant.
• Exceptional knowledge of traditional British afternoon tea etiquette, food handling and premium beverage service.
• Strong leadership and people management abilities, with a track record of developing motivated teams.
• Excellent communication skills, both with guests and internal departments, reflecting the values of honesty and frequent, clear communication.
• Ability to work flexibly, including weekends and holidays, while maintaining composure under pressure.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, curiosity about emerging trends in hospitality and a passion for delivering flawless guest experiences.