Waiter

Ottolenghi; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Staff meals on shift

Health & wellbeing support

Refer a Friend £500

Development opportunities

Birthday treat

Staff discounts

Ottolenghi Test Kitchen demos

Job summary

Ottolenghi's NOPI in Soho is seeking an attentive Front-of-House professional to welcome guests, take orders, and help deliver a warm, memorable dining experience.

You'll collaborate with kitchen and bar teams, maintain a high standard of service, and bring a passion for food and guest care. Enjoy staff meals, generous discounts, health support, and development opportunities in a creative, inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year experience as a waiter/front-of-house in a fast-paced restaurant.
• A genuine passion for food, drink and guest experiences.
• A warm, confident communicator who thrives in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and seat guests, ensuring they feel looked after from the moment they arrive.
• Take food and drink orders accurately and with genuine knowledge of the menu.
• Serve food and beverages with care, attention to detail, and great timing.
• Build rapport with guests and respond to their needs proactively.
• Maintain the dining room to a high standard throughout service.
• Collaborate with kitchen and bar teams to ensure smooth service flow.
• Handle guest queries and feedback with professionalism and warmth.
• Support the wider front-of-house team and pitch in wherever needed.

Skills

Food & drink service knowledge

Communication skills

Teamwork

Calm under pressure

Attention to detail

IT systems familiarity

Multitasking

Job description

At Ottolenghi, we’re known for vibrant food, busy delis, and restaurants full of energy- but what really matters is our people. We create environments where teams feel supported, take pride in what they do, and deliver a genuinely warm experience to every guest.

NOPI is Ottolenghi's sophisticated Soho restaurant, renowned for its bold, Middle Eastern-influenced flavours and elegant, all-day dining experience. Since opening in 2011, NOPI has been a landmark destination for food lovers in the heart of London.

What you'll do

• Welcome and seat guests, ensuring they feel looked after from the moment they arrive.
• Take food and drink orders accurately and with genuine knowledge of the menu.
• Serve food and beverages with care, attention to detail, and great timing.
• Build rapport with guests and respond to their needs proactively.
• Maintain the dining room to a high standard throughout service.
• Collaborate with kitchen and bar teams to ensure smooth service flow.
• Handle guest queries and feedback with professionalism and warmth.
• Support the wider front-of-house team and pitch in wherever needed.

What we're looking for

• A minimum of one year experience as a waiter or in front-of-house hospitality in a fast-paced restaurant.
• A genuine passion for food, drink, and creating great guest experiences.
• A warm, confident communicator who thrives in a team environment.

Key skills

• Excellent knowledge of food and drink service.
• Attentive, calm, and professional under pressure.
• A genuine love of hospitality and making guests feel welcome.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Well-organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Comfortable using relevant IT systems.
• Ability to multitask and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment.
• Calm under pressure with a solution-focused mindset.
• A genuine passion for food, drink, and guest experience and continuous improvement.

What's in it for you?

• 28 days annual leave per year, inclusive of bank holidays
• Delicious Ottolenghi staff meals on shift and generous staff discount
• Health and well-being support through our HSF healthcare plan (covering dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more), plus a 24/7 GP helpline and access to Perkbox discounts
• Refer a Friend Bonus: £500 for each successful referral
• Learning & Development opportunities including management coaching, WSET wine training, Ottolenghi Chef’s Academy workshops, and access to external courses
• A warm, inclusive working culture where individuality, growth, and creativity are celebrated
• Enhanced Parental Pay after two years' service
• A special birthday treat to celebrate your day
• Exclusive workshops and demos, including cooking, food, wine, and cocktail sessions in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen
• A collaborative and creative environment where your ideas are valued