Reservationist

KOL; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A fine dining restaurant in the City of London seeks an experienced Reservationist to manage guest reservations and ensure a welcoming experience. The role requires strong organizational and communication skills, with a focus on creating memorable guest experiences. Ideal candidates will have previous experience in front-of-house roles within hospitality. This position offers work-life balance and competitive staff benefits.

Benefits

Work/life balance with a four-day working week

50% staff discount across all restaurants

Free staff meals while on shift

Up to £500 team referral bonus

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

Extra day’s holiday for each year of service

Employee Assistance Programme with well-being support

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a quality-focused restaurant or hospitality environment.
• Confident in managing reservations and greeting guests.
• Strong attention to detail when managing guest information.

Responsibilities

• Manage reservations and ensure a smooth guest arrival experience.
• Handle phone and email reservations accurately.
• Coordinate with floor and kitchen teams to deliver guest services.

Skills

Previous experience in a host or front-of-house role

Strong organisational skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to manage guest flow and seating plans

Comfortable with using reservation and POS systems

Ability to remain calm under pressure

Reliable and punctual

Job description

Reservationist candidate requirement

• Previous experience in a host or front-of-house role within a quality-focused, high-volume restaurant or hospitality environment
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage reservations, guest flow, and seating plans efficiently
• Confident in greeting guests warmly, managing waitlists, and ensuring a smooth and welcoming arrival experience
• Skilled in handling phone and email reservations, confirming bookings, and managing special requests accurately
• Excellent communication skills and able to coordinate seamlessly with the floor, bar, and kitchen teams
• Committed to delivering professional, friendly, and attentive service at all times
• Ability to remain calm and proactive under pressure, especially during peak service periods
• Strong attention to detail when managing guest information and ensuring accurate updates in the booking system
• Knowledge of basic food and beverage offerings to assist guests with queries and recommendations
• Comfortable with using reservation and POS systems; quick to learn new technology
• Reliable, punctual, and a positive team player who contributes to a welcoming atmosphere
• Understands and complies with all health & safety and guest service standards
• Passionate about creating memorable guest experiences and maintaining high hospitality standards

As a Reservationist at KOL, we can offer you:

• Work/life balance with a four-day working week
• 50% staff discount across all MJMK restaurants
• Free staff meals while on shift.
• Up to £500 team referral bonus.
• Opportunity to develop your career with MJMK Restaurants
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after your first year with us.
• Extra day’s holiday every year you’re with us, up to 5 extra days
• Employee Assistance Programme with Hospitality Action - Including:

1. •Mental health & well-being support, free advice and counselling
2. •Benefits Hub(Shopping Discounts)
3. •Wellbeing ( e-learning courses )
4. •Soundspace - Podcasts
5. •Nutrition - Recipes
6. •Wellbeing Series - Monthly Studio Content
7. •Fitness
8. •Digital Gym - Live and on-demand Gym Glasses, training plans
9. •BeCalm – Mindfulness, self-guided meditations

About KOL

At KOL, part of the MJMK group, we source and celebrate the finest expressions of British ingredients, championing wild food and seasonality to create dishes that reflect the bright, fresh flavours of Mexican cooking. The kitchen team is headed up by Chef Patron Santiago Lastra and was awarded a Michelin star in 2022, followed by being named in the World’s 50 Best.

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 as one the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

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

At 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. September, saw the opening of Luso, a contemporary Portuguese restaurant in Fitzrovia.