Lead Host

Casa do Frango; City Of London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A vibrant Portuguese restaurant in London is looking for a Host to deliver unforgettable guest experiences. You will manage reservations, handle guest inquiries, and maintain a professional tone. The ideal candidate should possess strong organisational skills and previous experience in a similar role. This position offers a vibrant work environment and opportunities for career growth, including a 50% discount at all MJMK restaurants.

Benefits

50% discount across all MJMK restaurants

£500 referral bonus

Career development opportunities

Mental health & well-being support

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

Extra holiday days

Qualifications

• Experience in a Host, Receptionist, or front-of-house role within a quality-driven restaurant.
• Strong understanding of guest service.
• Familiarity with guest database systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage reservations, walk-ins, and guest flow efficiently.
• Handle guest inquiries and special requests with discretion.
• Complete opening and closing duties, including checklists.

Skills

Warm personality

Strong organisational skills

Excellent verbal communication

Ability to handle inquiries

Calm under pressure

Understanding of hospitality standards

Willingness to learn

Detail-oriented

Booking management

Experience as Host/Receptionist

Job description

Host Candidate Requirements

• A warm, welcoming, and confident personality with a genuine passion for hospitality.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage reservations, walk-ins, and guest flow efficiently.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, maintaining a friendly and professional tone at all times.
• Ability to handle guest inquiries, special requests, and feedback with discretion and care.
• Calm and composed under pressure, especially during peak service times or when managing waitlists.
• A strong understanding of hospitality standards and a commitment to delivering best-in-class guest experiences.
• Willingness to learn and confidently speak about the menu, ingredients, and the story behind our dishes.
• Skilled at liaising between guests, the kitchen, and the dining room team to ensure seamless coordination.
• Detail-oriented and proactive in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in public-facing areas.
• Experience managing bookings via phone, online systems, and in-person interactions.
• Confident in handling large groups and VIP guests with personalised attention and care.
• Responsible for completing opening and closing duties, including daily checklists and handovers.
• Enthusiastic about team culture and actively contributes to team briefings and service improvements.
• Previous experience in a Host, Receptionist, or front-of-house role within a quality-driven restaurant.
• Familiarity with guest preference tracking or experience using guest database systems is a plus.

What We Offer Our Host

• 50% discount across all MJMK restaurants
• £500 referral bonus for recommending a friend
• Opportunity to develop your career growth with MJMK Restaurants
• Mental health & well-being support with Hospitality Action who can offer free advice and counselling
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after your first year with us
• Extra day’s holiday every year you’re with us, up to 33 days

About Casa

Our journey began in 2018 with the launch of Casa do Frango in London Bridge – a Portuguese grill concept inspired by Marco’s Portuguese heritage and fond memories of his upbringing in Southern Portugal. Offering a menu of fresh, wood charcoal-grilled dishes in a warm atmosphere, it quickly became a local favourite. Building on this success, we were fortunate to be able to expand Casa to the neighbourhoods of Mayfair (2022) and Victoria (2023).

We’re looking for a Host to join our team at Casa London Bridge, our flagship restaurant, where you will play a key role in delivering unforgettable guest experiences and help us continue to grow. The site welcomes around 3000 guest each week, we’re a thriving 200+ cover space spread across two floors, including a charming private dining room. Since opening in 2018, we’ve earned rave reviews from critics like Jay Rayner and Marina O’Loughlin, and we’re just getting started.

We are passionate about creating memorable experiences for our guests and nurturing a positive, energetic work environment for our team. After winning Disruptor Brand at the 2023 Peach 20/20 Hero & Icon Awards and Emerging Concept at the MCA Hospitality Awards 2023, there’s never been a better time to join us. With our expansion continuing in 2025, career progression opportunities are endless.

About MJMK Restaurants

MJMK Restaurants own and operate 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 fine dining restaurant in Marylebone celebrating Mexican cuisine with British ingredients. KOL has since earned a Michelin Star, named No. 17 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

In 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 and Lisboeta at 93rd place and opening of Luso in September 2025, contemporary Portuguese restaurant in Fitzrovia.