Waiter

Ottolenghi Spitalfields; Greater London; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Staff meals on shift

Staff discount

HSF healthcare plan

24/7 GP helpline

Perkbox discounts

Refer a Friend £500

Management coaching

Ottolenghi Chef's Academy workshops

Birthday treat

External courses access

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Ottolenghi Spitalfields is hiring a welcoming waiter to join our busy front-of-house team in east London. You’ll greet guests, take orders, and ensure a warm, efficient service from arrival to departure.

You’ll work closely with the kitchen and bar teams to deliver impeccable guest experiences, handle queries with professionalism, and maintain a calm, well-organised dining room during service. We value passion for food and drink, team spirit, and a proactive attitude, with opportunities for

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a waiter or in front-of-house hospitality.
• A genuine passion for food, drink, and creating great 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

Waiter experience

Front-of-house

Communication skills

Food & drink knowledge

Attention to detail

IT systems

Multitasking

Calm under pressure

Hospitality passion

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.

Ottolenghi Spitalfields celebrates unrushed, seasonal flavours in the heart of east London. Back in 2015, Ottolenghi opened a beautiful restaurant and deli in the heart of the City 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

• Previous experience as a waiter or in front-of-house hospitality.
• 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

If you care about great food, great people, and doing things properly, we'd love to hear from you.