Head Waiter

Fonda; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% discount across MJMK restaurants

Up to £500 team referral bonus

Career growth within MJMK Restaurants

Enhanced maternity/paternity pay after

Extra days holiday annually (up to 5)

Mental health support via Hospitality

Job summary

Fonda is seeking a hands-on Head Waiter to lead service on the floor with warmth and a high standard of guest care. You will coach junior team members, oversee pacing, and ensure flawless communication with the kitchen to deliver unforgettable guest experiences.

You'll thrive in a fast-paced, people‑focused environment, maintaining calm under pressure while upholding Fonda's culture and hospitality style across every shift.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Skills

Leadership

Hospitality expertise

Coaching juniors

Attention to detail

Calm under pressure

Guest relations

Job description

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.