Waiter

Sonder Bar & Bistro; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonder Bar & Bistro in Cardiff is seeking a confident Section Waiter to join our Front of House team. You will own your section during service, delivering warm and knowledgeable hospitality from arrival to departure.

As a key member of a small but experienced team, you’ll understand the menu, take accurate orders and ensure smooth delivery of food and drinks while maintaining a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy restaurant environment preferred.
• Ability to communicate confidently with guests and team.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and guest experience.

Responsibilities

• Own your section throughout service and deliver warm, attentive service.
• Understand the menu and communicate confidently with guests.
• Take accurate orders and ensure timely delivery of food and drinks.
• Anticipate guest needs and manage the pace of service.
• Collaborate with the Front of House team to maintain a smooth operation.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Hospitality

Attention to detail

Team player

Independent worker

Job description

We’re looking for a confident, personable and passionate Section Waiter to join the Front of House team at Sonder. You’ll be responsible for delivering warm, knowledgeable and attentive service throughout your section, whilst working independently and as part of the wider team. This is a great opportunity for someone who takes pride in hospitality and wants to develop their skills and build a genuine career in the industry.

About Sonder:

At Sonder, we believe exceptional hospitality is about much more than simply taking an order and delivering food. It's about creating an experience that guests remember, through genuine warmth, attention to detail and a team that cares about what they do.

Sonder is an independent neighbourhood bistro based in the Canton / Pontcanna area. Chef-owned, with over 13 years of experience in professional kitchens, we're building a small but experienced team who care about hospitality, enjoy coming to work and want to create a great atmosphere for both our guests and each other.

We believe in premium service and ingredients, whilst creating a relaxed, welcoming and unpretentious environment. All of our food is made in-house, alongside our own butchery and baking.

We hire for attitude, mindset and passion over simply counting years of experience, and we're looking for people who genuinely want to develop within hospitality.

The Role

As a Section Waiter, you'll take ownership of your section throughout service, ensuring every guest receives warm, attentive and knowledgeable hospitality from the moment they sit down until they leave.

You'll be responsible for understanding the menu, communicating confidently with guests, taking accurate orders and ensuring food and drinks are delivered smoothly and efficiently.

A great Section Waiter understands that excellent service is about being aware of what's happening around you. You'll need to anticipate guest needs, communicate clearly with the kitchen and wider Front of House team, and manage the pace of your section without compromising the guest experience.

This role suits someone who is naturally engaging, organised and confident working independently, whilst still being a strong team player.

Key ResponsibilitiesGuest Experience

• Deliver a genuinely warm, friendly and professional service to every guest
• Take ownership of your section throughout the entire guest journey
• Build rapport with guests and create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere
• Have excellent knowledge of the food and drinks menus and communicate this confidently
• Make thoughtful recommendations based on guest preferences
• Be able to confidently explain dishes, ingredients and allergens
• Anticipate guest needs rather than simply reacting to requests
• Manage guest expectations professionally during busy services
• Handle guest enquiries and concerns confidently, involving management where appropriate
• Create memorable experiences through genuine and personalised hospitality

Service

• Ensure your section is fully prepared before service begins
• Take accurate food and drinks orders and communicate them clearly to the relevant teams
• Maintain awareness of the progress of orders throughout service
• Deliver food and drinks promptly and to the correct table
• Check back with guests appropriately without being intrusive
• Clear and reset tables efficiently whilst maintaining presentation standards
• Maintain a clean, organised and well-presented section throughout service
• Process payments accurately and professionally
• Complete opening and closing duties to the required standard

Communication & Teamwork

• Communicate clearly and proactively with the kitchen, bar, host and wider Front of House team
• Keep colleagues informed of guest requests, allergies, celebrations and any other relevant information
• Support other sections when required and contribute to the smooth running of the restaurant
• Help maintain a positive and supportive team environment
• Understand that whilst you own your section, the overall guest experience belongs to the whole team

Standards & Knowledge

• Maintain Sonder's standards of service, presentation and hospitality at all times
• Develop a strong knowledge of our food, wine, cocktails, coffee and wider drinks offering
• Understand and confidently communicate allergen information
• Follow all food safety, hygiene and licensing procedures
• Take responsibility for maintaining high standards within your section
• Continuously develop your product and hospitality knowledge

What We're Looking For

• A naturally warm, engaging and confident personality
• A genuine passion for hospitality and creating great guest experiences
• The ability to work independently and take ownership of your section
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills
• The ability to remain calm, focused and professional during busy services
• Confidence speaking to guests and making recommendations
• A positive attitude and strong work ethic
• A willingness to learn and continuously develop your knowledge
• The ability to work effectively as part of a close-knit team
• Previous experience in a busy restaurant environment is desirable, but attitude, mindset and ambition are more important than simply the number of years you've worked in hospitality

Our Expectations

As a Section Waiter, you'll be one of the key people responsible for the guest experience at Sonder. We expect you to take genuine ownership of your section and understand that great service comes from being proactive, organised and aware of what's happening around you.

You'll need to be confident working independently, making decisions and managing the needs of your guests without constant direction. At the same time, you'll understand the importance of communicating with the wider team and stepping in to help wherever needed.

We're looking for someone who takes pride in their work, wants to learn and genuinely cares about hospitality.

We don't just want someone to serve tables - we're looking for someone who wants to grow with Sonder, develop your skills and become an important part of the team and the future of the business.

Compensation: Competitive salary