Full-Time Che Figata Lead Server

CityGate Hospitality; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

401(k) plan

Job summary

CityGate Hospitality is seeking a Lead Server for Che Figata, a premier Italian dining venue connected to Hotel Arista. The role centers on delivering elevated service, wine expertise, and leadership to the front-of-house team.

You will mentor staff, guide guests through nuanced Italian menus, and ensure flawless service during busy nights and holidays. A strong wine program background and a polished presence are essential.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of upscale dining experience in a hotel or fine-dining setting.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with a guest-first mindset.
• Advanced wine knowledge and passion; experience with Italian wines is a plus.
• Experience with Micros Simphony POS and basic administrative tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead servers with opening, closing, and side work; attend and lead pre-shift meetings.
• Provide exceptional, personalized service and VIP guest attention.
• Guide guests through the menu and wine pairings with confident knowledge.
• Mentor servers, ensure consistency, pacing, and professional standards.
• Coordinate with kitchen/management for seamless service flow.
• Uphold luxury ambiance, safety, and cash handling procedures.

Skills

Upscale dining

Leadership

Wine knowledge

POS systems

Guest service

Communication

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma

Illinois Food Handler Certification

Wine training (sommelier/WSET)

Tools

Micros Simphony POS

Job description

Position: Full-Time Che Figata Lead Server

Location: Che Figata

2139 CityGate Lane

Job Id: 2503

# of Openings: 0

Location: Hotel Arista

Department: Che Figata

Reports to: F&B Manager

Status: Hourly Non-Exempt

Compensation Range: $12-13/hour plus gratuity, commensurate with experience and education. Guaranteed rate of $30/h offered during service times.

Age Requirements: Must be 21+

Additional Requirements: Must be available all nights, holidays and weekends.

Nestled among the premier dining outlets connected to Hotel Arista, Che Figata delivers an unforgettable Italian dining experience with an open kitchen, food bar, brick oven, fresh-made pastas, living herb wall, and a vibrant Italian market. At Che Figata, we bring Italy to Table—celebrating the authenticity and simplicity of classic Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Every dish begins with the freshest ingredients, crafted from scratch with passion and precision. We don’t just serve meals—we share our love for Italian food, wine, and culture.

Be part of something bold, fresh, and full of flavor. Join the team where every day is “Totally Awesome!”

Role Summary

Our Lead Servers play a critical role in delivering elevated dining experiences by combining polished, attentive service with deep knowledge of Italian cuisine and fine wine. This position not only sets the standard for exceptional guest service but also provides leadership and training to fellow team members. Lead Servers are responsible for serving guests efficiently and graciously, while demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of our food and beverage menus to create personalized, memorable experiences.

Responsibilities

• Completes all opening, closing, and running side work.
• Attends all pre-shift meetings. Leads pre-shift meetings with the team upon request.
• Delivers exceptional, intuitive service to guests in alignment with restaurant standards. Provides VIP guests with personalized service and attention to detail of their needs.
• Guides guests through the menu with confident knowledge of Italian cuisine, chef specialties, seasonal offerings, and wine pairings.
• Maintains expert-level knowledge of the restaurant’s award-winning wine list, assisting with recommendations and pairing selections.
• Oversees daily floor operations and act as point of contact for all front-of-house service matters during the assigned shifts.
• Supports and mentors servers, ensuring consistent service standards, pacing, and professionalism.
• Communicates effectively with kitchen and management teams to ensure seamless service flow.
• Upholds restaurant ambiance and cleanliness, ensuring all settings meet luxury brand expectations. Sets up tables according to Che Figata standards of service.
• Handles guest concerns or service recovery situations with grace and urgency.
• Assists with server training, onboarding, and continuing education, especially regarding wine knowledge and upselling techniques.
• Follows safety and sanitation policies
• Abides by all requirements pertaining to the sale of alcoholic beverages.
• Understands applicable emergency procedure and evacuations.
• Collects and reports tips at the end of the assigned shift.
• Ensures checks are presented to guests in a timely manner and payment is obtained, reporting any difficulties to management.
• Settles-up with management at the end of each shift providing a detailed POS report from the system including cash due as per the report as well as approved vouchers for any comps or house charges.
• Understands and follows all cash handling rules and regulations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Performs related duties as assigned. *This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent education
• Previous training in liquor, wine, and food service
• Illinois Food Handler Certification is required
• Prior completion of a formal wine training program (sommelier or WSET)

Experience

• 3 -5 Years of upscale dining experience in a similar restaurant or hotel environment.
• A strong understanding of luxury service standards.
• Previous working experience with Micros Simphony POS.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with a guest-first mindset.
• Advanced wine knowledge and passion, experience working with Italian wines
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.
• Experience using POS systems and basic administrative functions (e.g., shift reports, guest notes).
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Ability to train and coach others.
• Neat and clean appearance.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Must have problem solving abilities, and the ability to compute basic arithmetic.
• Must have a flexible schedule and be available to work nights weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to walk and stand for up to 8 hours a day, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to bend, stoop, squat, and stretch to fulfill job duties
• Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs regularly, and up to 50 pounds on occasion.

Benefits Offered

The employer offers the following benefits to eligible employees in this position. Waiting periods, hours requirements and shared insurance premiums will apply. Full plan descriptions and additional details will be shared at the time of offer or upon request during the interview process.

• Major Medical Plans, Dental and Vision Insurance - single or family options available at employee’s election
• Basic Life & AD&D - 100% employer paid
• Short-Term Disability - 100% employer paid
• Supplemental Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Accident and Disability – single or family options available at employee’s election
• 401(k) Plan & Matching Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Leave Time (up to 40 hours/year)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 9 Paid Holidays/Year
• Paid Jury Duty Time
• Paid Bereavement for immediate family members
• Partially-Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Incentive Programs

We are an equal opportunity employer and make employment decisions without regard to age, race, religion, national origin, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation and gender identity or any other protected class. Should you accept a contingent offer with CityGate Hospitality LLC, you will be required to successfully complete various pre-employment screenings such as a criminal background report. Should you be hired as an employee of the company, you will be required to submit documentation proving eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with Federal requirements. This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. E-Verify Works for Everyone. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.888-897-7781 dhs.gov/E-Verify