Banquet Houseperson

Starwood Hotels; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 20,664 - 30,307; Full time

Job summary

Starwood Hotels in Austin, TX is seeking a Banquets Houseman to assist with setup and service for events. You will prepare mise-en-place, arrange tables and stations, and coordinate with kitchen and service teams to ensure smooth banquet operations.

Responsibilities include serving courses, managing beverage tabs, maintaining station cleanliness, and assisting with room turns. A strong guest-service mindset, teamwork, and physical ability are essential for success in a fast-paced, landmark hotel

Qualifications

• Experience in food and beverages service within a hotel or events setting.
• Clear communication with guests, kitchen and service teams.
• Ability to read Banquet Event Orders and follow instructions precisely.
• Strong guest service focus and teamwork in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Set up banquet rooms, tables, chairs, and stations; ensure mise-en-place for events.
• Communicate guest orders and dietary needs to kitchen staff.
• Serve courses in correct sequence and maintain service flow.
• Prepare drinks and garnish beverages; manage beverage tabs and close out.
• Replenish buffet items and maintain cleanliness throughout events.
• Assist with room turns and post-event breakdown with leader on duty.
• Follow safety, cash handling, and no-tipping policies; report issues promptly.
• Maintain professional appearance and uphold hotel standards.

Skills

FOH/Beverage service

Communication skills

BEO literacy

Problem solving

Legible writing

Math skills

Guest service

Teamwork

Flexibility

Safety compliance

Professional appearance

Lifting ability

Job description

Grow with us... Life at Starwood Hotels is based on a simple idea: the world is beautiful and we want to keep it that way. But we can’t do it alone. That’s why hiring thoughtful and inspiring Team Members and Leaders who understand that our people, collaboration, stellar service, and respect for nature are so important to us.

Main Duties

The Banquets Houseman is responsible for function room set up and cleanliness of banquet areas. Able to practice safety lifting techniques and safe work habits.

General Duties

• Prepare and set up tables, chairs, side stands, back-of-house areas, breaks, buffets, décor, carts, bars and stations to ensure execution of details outlined in Banquet Event Order. Prepare proper “mise-en-place” (i.e. food side duties included but not limited to slicing fruit or preparing garnishment for beverages or plates) for any event.
• Communicate guest orders and additional meal requirements, allergies, dietary needs and special requests to the kitchen.
• Serve food & beverage in the appropriate sequence and in tune with the expectation of the supervisor, Banquet Event Order and property standards so as to ensure consistency throughout the event.
• Make drinks according to standard recipes using the proper glassware and garnishment.
• Replenish beverages when necessary and check with guests to make sure they are satisfied.
• Ensure courses are cleared and tables are properly crumbed. Quickly remove dishes as guests finish each course and at the end of each event.
• Respond to and fulfill any special event arrangements.
• Replenish buffet items to ensure consistency and freshness in presentation.
• Monitor tableware to ensure it is presented to guests including proper marking.
• Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation and organization of assigned station and service areas practicing “clean as you go” while avoiding breaking and reporting all breakage incidents. Break down and remove any boxes and packaging used to unpack supplies and equipment related to banquet events. Return any service carts used to transport supplies and equipment to proper location.
• Run beverage tabs for guests as well as accurately close these accounts out at the end of the event.
• Tally consumption tabs accurately and record figures where appropriate.
• Bus tables by removing and separating tableware, dishes, glassware and flatware.
• Perform post event cleaning tasks and breakdown of service. Ensure all tables and chairs are set and the event room is clean and neat, returning all food and beverage items, condiments, and supplies to the proper area, prior to checking out with the leader on duty and finishing the shift and departing.
• Assist with room turns to complete the set up for events including tables, chairs, etc.
• Maintain high standards of food product, portion control, presentation, service, event supply quality, safety and cleanliness.
• Recognize and address potential intoxicated and/or disruptive guests by informing team leaders.
• Follow all cash handling procedures.
• Adhere to no solicitation of gratuities policy and no tip jars.
• Input real-time work orders via KYC on any guest concerns during interaction. Convey with clarity in KYC any and all guest opportunities.
• Perform any other reasonable duties as requested by the leadership team.
• Identify opportunities to optimize performance and create value by challenging existing processes; encouraging innovation and driving necessary change.
• Be a clear thinker, analyze and resolve problems, exercise good judgement, resolutions must be thoughtful, and with the guest in mind. Immediate follow-up with a leader is expected.
• Establish and maintain open, positive, collaborative, and professional internal and external relationships. Develop lasting relationships with guests and to secure repeat business. Foster and promote a cooperative working environment, maximizing efficiency and delivering the ultimate guest experience.
• Follow all company and safety and security policies and procedures; report any maintenance problems, safety hazards, accidents, or injuries; complete safety training and certifications; properly store flammable materials.
• Ensure compliance with hotel policies, procedures, and standards with self and colleagues.
• Ensure uniform and personal appearance are clean and professional.
• Maintain confidentiality of proprietary information.
• Be gracious. Thank guests with genuine appreciation.
• Embody the 1 Hotels Vision, Mission and Compass; deliver on Our Promise, provide Good-Natured Service and uphold our Brand Pillars.

Qualifications & Skills

• Previous food and beverage service experience.
• Excellent communication and listening skills. Ability to clearly and effectively communicate in English with service team and present specific culinary and wine information to guests. Ability to speak effectively before groups of guests or team members and ability to respond to and creatively resolve guest inquiries and complaints.
• Ability to read and understand documents such as safety rules, Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), group resumes, floorplans, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Must be able to write legibly (ie taking orders)
• Ability to compute basic mathematical calculations.
• Excellent guest service skills.
• Ability to follow directions and work in a team environment.
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable.
• Must possess a high quality, detailed and service work ethic.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to follow all food and safety regulations and property standards.
• Professional & appropriate business appearance and demeanor aligned with the 1 Hotel brand and culture.
• Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Carry trays up to 25 pounds with one hand. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.)

Due to the nature of the hospitality industry, employees are required to work varying schedules, including holidays, to accommodate the business and demands of the hotel

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor.

Starwood Hotels is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in a diverse, sustainable workforce with an empowered, inclusive culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis covered under applicable law. If you require any special accommodation, please visit People Operations.

Please note that your job description is not an exhaustive of tasks and duties, but serves a guideline for daily duties, which may change from time to time.

About Us...

As a mission-driven company, our purpose is our true north, and our compass guides the way. The purpose we live by impacts the lives of our team members, drives the experiences for our guests, builds community with like-minded travelers and takes care of the planet we live in. Founded in 2006 by Barry Sternlicht, Starwood Hotels is a luxury hotel brand management company and affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group.

Starwood Hotels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in a diverse, sustainable workforce with an empowered, inclusive culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis covered under applicable law. If you require any special accommodations, please visit People Operations.