Waiter

Ottolenghi; Greater London; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff meals

Healthcare plan

Referral bonus

Training opportunities

Birthday treat

Job summary

Ottolenghi in London is seeking a front-of-house professional to welcome, seat, and assist guests with attentive service. You will take accurate orders, serve meals and drinks, and maintain a high standard of dining room presentation throughout service.

The role emphasizes passionate hospitality, clear communication, and teamwork in a bustling, flavour-led environment at Ottolenghi Spitalfields in East London.

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

Food & beverage service

Team communication

Guest experience

Attention to detail

Tools

IT systems

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.