Head Waiter/waitress

Hotel Cafe Royal; London; On-site; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury hotel in London is seeking a Head Waiter to deliver exceptional service at Cakes & Bubbles. The ideal candidate will possess fine dining experience, strong knowledge of desserts and champagne, and excellent interpersonal skills. The role involves maintaining service standards, training staff, and creating memorable experiences for guests. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Pay of up to £34,000 including service charge

Discounted friends and family room rates

Complimentary room nights after 1 year

Colleague discount in food and beverage

Wellness sessions in the spa

Regular social events

Christmas celebrations

Life assurance scheme

Gym discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Training and development programmes

Free meals on duty

Uniform laundry, pension & holiday

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Head Waiter or Senior Waiter in luxury dining.
• Strong knowledge of fine desserts and champagne.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver personalized service to all guests.
• Maintain in-depth product knowledge to answer questions.
• Support the Restaurant Manager in training new team members.

Skills

Fine dining service standards

Communication skills

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Knowledge of desserts

Tools

POS system proficiency (MICROS)

Job description

Located within the prestigious Hotel Café Royal, Cakes & Bubbles is an acclaimed dessert destination created in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Albert Adrià. Celebrated for its artfully crafted and innovative desserts, Cakes & Bubbles offers an experience where creativity meets indulgence. Guests are treated to signature creations such as the iconic Cheese Cake, Cakes & Bubbles Corks, The Rose, and the Passion Golden Egg Flan, complemented by a curated champagne list. In addition to its world-class desserts, the menu features a selection of savoury dishes, creating a unique and memorable dining experience for every guest.

The Role

As Head Waiter, you will be at the forefront of delivering the exceptional service standards that Cakes & Bubbles is renowned for. You will take ownership of your section, ensuring each guest receives warm, personalised, and knowledgeable service while supporting the wider team in achieving operational excellence. This role requires a passion for luxury hospitality, meticulous attention to detail, and a genuine enthusiasm for showcasing our extraordinary desserts and champagne offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver warm, attentive, and highly personalised service to all guests, anticipating their needs and exceeding expectations.
• Present and explain the menu with expert knowledge, highlighting signature desserts, champagne pairings, and savoury dishes.
• Maintain in-depth product knowledge to confidently answer questions, make recommendations, and upsell items where appropriate.
• Ensure your section is prepared and presented to the highest standard before, during, and after service.
• Liaise with the kitchen and bar teams to ensure accurate and timely delivery of orders.
• Handle guest feedback, queries, and special requests with professionalism and discretion.
• Support the Restaurant Manager and Supervisors in training new team members, sharing product knowledge, and demonstrating best service practices.
• Maintain a strong understanding of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety procedures at all times.
• Assist in the smooth running of service during peak periods and special events.
• Lead by example in upholding the venue’s service philosophy and representing the brand’s luxury image.

Requirements

• Previous experience as a Head Waiter, Senior Waiter, or similar role in a luxury or fine dining environment.
• Strong knowledge of fine desserts, champagne, and high-end dining service standards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a warm, engaging, and professional manner.
• Ability to multitask and remain composed under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for delivering outstanding guest experiences with an eye for detail.
• Knowledge of health & safety and food hygiene standards.
• Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
• POS system proficiency, especially MICROS would be highly advantageous.

Benefits

• Pay of up to £34,000 including service charge
• Access to heavily discounted friends and family rooms rates
• Two complimentary rooms nights per year (after 1 year of employment)
• Up to 50% colleagues discount in all our food and beverage outlets
• Colleague wellness sessions in our Akasha spa each month including osteopath, podiatrist, yoga and fitness classes (as well as staff discounts on spa treatments)
• Regular social events, including our infamous Summer Party (August) and Black-Tie Annual Awards dinner (January)
• Christmas celebrations, including colleague lunch, children’s party and Christmas gift
• Automatic membership of the company’s life assurance scheme from day one
• Generous discounts on retail and dining in Central London through the West End Club app
• Mental health support including Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and mental health champions in all departments
• A variety of external benefits including gym discounts and free eye tests
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• A wide range of both internal and external training and development programmes to support all of our colleagues’ career progression
• The usual bits and bobs such as free meals on duty, uniform laundry, pension & holiday