Festive Bar and Restaurant Waiter/Waitress

Dakota Hotels; Leeds; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts on stays and dining

Meals on duty

Uniforming

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Dakota Leeds is hiring a Restaurant Waiter/Waitress for a fixed-term festive period from 2 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. The role operates on a zero-hours contract with induction sessions on 4 November and 13 November.

Estimated earnings are £13.80 per hour, comprised of a £12.71 base plus tron; tron is variable and not guaranteed. Successful candidates will serve guests with attentiveness, promote food and beverage options, and work closely with Bar and Kitchen teams.

Qualifications

• 1+ year working experience in hospitality.
• Outgoing with effective communication skills.
• Able to pour, serve and sell alcohol.
• Available for Christmas Day and New Year.
• Induction/training attendance dates specified in ad.

Responsibilities

• Provide attentive table service as section waiter/waitress.
• Offer personalised food and beverage recommendations.
• Coordinate with Bar and Kitchen teams for smooth service.
• Maintain knowledge of menu and allergen information.

Skills

communication

hospitality experience

pace working

Job description

We are seeking an outgoing and enthusiastic individual with waiting experience for the role of Restaurant Waiter / Waitress, delivering exceptional service to our guests.

This is a fixed-term festive role running from 2nd November 2026 to 10th January 2027. The role is offered on a zero-hours contract.

To be considered for this role, you must be available to attend induction and training on Wednesday 4th November (10:00am to 4:30pm) and Friday 13th November (10:00am to 4:30pm). Applicants should also have good availability across key festive dates throughout the contract period, as this will be taken into account when offering shifts.

Estimated earnings of £13.80 per hour, comprising a basic hourly rate of £12.71 plus average anticipated tronc. Team members in this role at Dakota Leeds received an average of £1.09 per hour in tronc over the 12 months to September 2026. Tronc payments are variable, non-contractual and not guaranteed

PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Carry out the role of a section waiter/waitress, providing attentive table service, taking guest orders and delivering large trays of delicious food to guest tables.
• Create a memorable dining experience through genuine conversation with personalised food and beverage recommendations
• Work closely with the Bar and Kitchen team to ensure the effective flow of communication.
• maintain a comprehensive knowledge of our food and beverage menu, including allergens, to guide guests’ choices.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant will have/be:

• At least 1 year working experience, ideally in a hospitality environment.
• Be an outgoing personality with effective communication skills.
• Ability to work at pace and be proactive throughout your shift
• Willing and able to pour, serve and sell alcohol.
• Available to work Christmas Day and New Year.
• An enthusiastic individual who will promote our culture of positivity.
• Be task oriented with a great pride for the work they do and attention to detail.
• Flexible with shift patterns and available around the needs of our business.
• Successful candidates must demonstrate having researched our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team.

In addition to being part of a culture infused with positivity and opportunity for ongoing development, tangible benefits you could enjoy when you join our team include:

FINANCIAL

• Special discounts on stays and dining at any Dakota
• Bonuses to recommend a friend to join our team and every time you are mentioned on Trip Advisor
• Additional holiday day on the first anniversary of your employment
• Meals on duty and uniforming

WELLBEING

• Access to our Employee Assistance Program which includes free private mental health support and counselling sessions, video GP consultations and private prescription services, as well as access to daily rewards to be cashed out for shopping vouchers
• Support from our inhouse Mental Health Champions
• Family-friendly flexible working options
• Participation in meaningful initiatives such as Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning and the Walk for Wellbeing, Supporting causes that matter while connecting with colleagues

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

• Accredited, certified compliance training given on employment
• Access to a suite of external, certified resources via our Learning Management System
• Supportive continuous professional development culture with an annual appraisal and objectives, or a Personal Development Plan
• Opportunities to undertake both internal and external training courses, including potential for in-house Apprenticeships

Full terms on our benefits can be found in our Handbook.