Head Waiter

MJMK; City of Westminster; Sur place; GBP 28 000 - 38 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

50% team discount across MJMK

Up to £500 team referral bonus

Growth opportunities

Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

Extra holiday up to 5 days

Mental health support

Enhanced pension contributions

Anniversary scheme

Résumé du poste

MJMK Restaurants is seeking a proactive Head Waiter for Fonda in London. You will lead on the floor, coach junior team members and ensure exceptional guest experiences with warmth and precise service.

The role requires passion for food and wine, strong leadership, and the ability to stay calm in a fast-paced, high-standard environment while upholding Fonda's hospitality ethos. Competitive benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Experience leading service in a quality restaurant or hospitality setting.
• Genuine passion for food, wine and hospitality.
• Confidence coaching and developing junior team members.
• Eye for detail across every stage of service.
• Ability to stay calm and organised under pressure.

Responsabilités

• Lead service on the floor, setting pace and tone for the team.
• Coach and support waiters; share knowledge on menu, wine and technique.
• Oversee table allocations and pacing to keep service running smoothly.
• Step in on tables needing extra attention, from VIPs to regular guests.
• Check standards across the floor, including greeting and presentation.
• Train new starters on Fonda's service style and standards.
• Liaise with kitchen to keep timing and communication consistent.
• Handle guest feedback and VIP requests with care.
• Support opening and closing procedures with the management team.
• Champion Fonda's culture and hospitality style each shift.

Connaissances

Team leadership

Hospitality

Wine knowledge

Guest focus

Calm under pressure

Menu knowledge

Flexibility

Hands-on attitude

Warmth with guests

Description du poste

About FONDA

Fonda opened in 2024 on Heddon Street, a contemporary Mexican restaurant from chef Santiago Lastra and MJMK Restaurants. In Mexico, a Fonda is a family-owned eatery serving traditional dishes; Santiago's Fonda builds on this to showcase regional recipes from across the country. Crudos, tacos and plates from the grill come together in a lively menu designed to be shared, with the traditional comal at the heart of the kitchen.

Fonda is lively, fast-paced and rooted in tradition. We want people who love being part of a team, who bring generosity to every table, and who share our drive to be best in class, with a passion for great food, drink and creating unforgettable guest experiences.

This role exists to keep service sharp, warm and consistent, shift after shift. You'll lead by example on the floor, support the wider team, coach newer waiters and step in wherever guests need that extra bit of attention.

We're looking for someone with real experience running service in a quality restaurant, who's ready to take on more responsibility without losing the personal touch. If you love hospitality, know how to read a room and want to help shape how Fonda welcomes people, this is a role for you.

This is a hands-on leadership role, led from the floor.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead service on the floor, setting the pace and tone for the wider team.
• Coach and support waiters, sharing knowledge on menu, wine and technique.
• Oversee table allocations and pacing to keep service running smoothly.
• Step in on tables that need extra attention, from VIP requests to regulars.
• Check standards across the floor, from table presentation to guest greeting.
• Train new starters on Fonda's service style and standards.
• Liaise with the kitchen to keep timing and communication consistent.
• Handle guest feedback and VIP requests calmly and with genuine care.
• Support the management team with opening and closing procedures.
• Champion Fonda's culture and hospitality style throughout every shift.

What We're Looking For

We're after a Head Waiter who leads with warmth and holds the floor to a high standard, whatever the pace of service. You will bring:

• Experience leading service in a quality restaurant or hospitality environment.
• Genuine passion for food, wine and hospitality.
• Confidence coaching and developing junior team members.
• An eye for detail across every stage of service.
• The ability to stay calm and organised under pressure.
• Real warmth when welcoming and looking after guests.
• Strong knowledge of menus, wine pairing and service technique.
• Flexibility to adapt to a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• A willingness to go the extra mile with a proactive, hands-on attitude.

What we offer

• 50% team discount across all MJMK restaurants.
• Up to £500 team referral bonus.
• Opportunity to grow within one of London's most ambitious hospitality groups.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after one year with us.
• Extra day's holiday every year you're with us, up to 5 extra days.
• Mental health and well-being assistance via Hospitality Action, offering free advice and counselling.
• Enhanced pension contributions after 5 years with us.
• Anniversary scheme reward for every year you're with us.

About MJMK Restaurants

MJMK Restaurants owns and operates a collection of award-winning restaurants. Founded in 2018 by lifelong friends Jake Kasumov and Marco Mendes, our journey began with Casa do Frango.

In 2020, we partnered with chef patron Santiago Lastra to open KOL, a restaurant in Marylebone celebrating Mexican cuisine with British ingredients. KOL has since earned a Michelin star and been named one of the World's 50 Best Restaurants.

2024 saw two new ventures: Fonda, a contemporary Mexican concept in Mayfair, our second collaboration with Santiago Lastra, and AngloThai in Marylebone, a debut restaurant from husband-and-wife John and Desiree Chantarasak, blending Thai flavours with British ingredients. Within three months of opening, AngloThai earned a Michelin star.

In the 2025 National Restaurant Awards, AngloThai was named The Square Opening of the Year and ranked 7th in the Top 100 list, followed by KOL at number 50. Luso, a contemporary Portuguese restaurant in Fitzrovia, opened in September 2025.

We're building ambitious restaurant brands with a focus on quality, creativity and guest experience, and we're just getting started.