Host

Ema; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant Discounts

Employee Assistance Program - Focusing

Paid Vacation for Qualifying Employees

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical

Dental & Vision Insurance

Life, Accident Protection & Critical I

Domestic Partner Benefits

401(k)

Job summary

Ēma, a Mediterranean restaurant in Chicago’s River North, is hiring Host Staff to warmly greet guests, seat them, answer phones, and manage reservations. Our team delivers friendly service in a fast-paced setting and is part of Lettuce Entertain You.

You’ll move and reset tables, assist with coat check, and communicate clearly in English. Availability for varied hours, including weekends, and the ability to stand and lift modest weights are expected as part of guest-focused service.

Qualifications

• Warm, friendly demeanor and customer-focused mindset.
• Clear communication in English, both written and spoken.
• Ability to work a variety of hours including weekends.

Responsibilities

• Warmly greet and seat guests.
• Answer telephones, take reservations and messages.
• Assist with coat check and maintaining guest flow.
• Maintain accurate guest counts and wait times.
• Ensure guest experience exceeds expectations and follow safety guidelines.

Skills

Guest service

English proficiency

Multitasking

Job description

We’re hiring people to join our team as HOST STAFF!

A Few of Our Host Benefits:

• Restaurant Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program - Focusing on a Commitment to Mental Health & Wellness
• Paid Vacation for Qualifying Employees
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Insurance
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life, Accident Protection & Critical Illness Insurance
• Domestic Partner Benefits
• 401(k)

Ēma is a Mediterranean restaurant in Chicago’s River North neighborhood showcasing Chef CJ Jacobson’s lighter California style of cooking. Ema offers weekday lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The menu highlights local produce, unique spices and ingredients and is built around mezze, Mediterranean small plates meant for sharing. Signature dishes include Hummus, Charred Eggplant Spread, House-made Labneh and Stracciatella, Green Falafel, Grilled Octopus and Chicken Kefta Kebabs. The bar program features a wine list with selections from the Mediterranean coastline, surrounding islands and California producers, as well as hand-crafted cocktail and Reserve cocktail menu.

Caring. Creative. Careers.

Join the Lettuce Entertain You team! Our 100+ restaurants are nationally recognized for great food and service and as great places to work. We hire and care deeply for people with creativity, passion and the drive to be the best. And we reward our teams with top notch benefits, career-long training and development and opportunities for growth. If you want a career at a progressive company with a long-standing commitment to people, join our caring and creative team.

EOE. We participate in E-Verify / Participamos en E-Verify

HOST JOB DESCRIPTION

Hosts are responsible for the initial, warm greeting and seating of guests, answering telephones, taking reservations and messages, maintaining accurate guest counts and wait times and saying goodbye to all guests. Assist with Coat Check duties as directed.

Essential Functions

• Warmly greet and seat guests in the restaurant
• Answer telephones, and take orders, messages and reservations
• Available to work a variety of hours, days and shifts, including weekends
• Safely and effectively move chairs, tables, highchairs and booster seats
• Safely and effectively use and operate all necessary tools and equipment
• Ability to communicate in English in order to perform and follow job requirements in written and spoken direction
• Multitask calmly and effectively
• Work in a confined, crowded space of variable noise and temperature levels
• Able to move and lift up to 10 pounds, frequently move and/or lift up to 25 pounds, and occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stand and walk for an entire shift and move safely through all areas of the restaurant, which may include stairs, uneven or slick surfaces

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Ensure the overall guest experience exceeds expectations and anticipate guests’ needs
• Greet guests with a warm, sincere smile
• Use tact and good judgement when dealing with guest challenges and respond to guest needs with patience and courtesy
• Assist with clearing, cleaning and resetting tables and maintain restrooms
• Sell and accurately account for gift cards
• Answer telephones, and take orders, messages and reservations
• Use proper phone and voicemail etiquette and guidelines
• Understand and respond knowledgeably to questions about the restaurant and menu
• Follow all steps of service
• Understand and follow the food allergy procedure and special orders/restrictions
• Proficiency in the use and operation of all necessary tools and equipment, including the reservation, telephone, paging and voicemail systems
• Comply with all safety and sanitation guidelines and procedures
• Successfully complete alcohol awareness training
• Follow all rules, policies, procedures and conditions of employment, including those outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Get along well with others and be a team player
• Other duties will be assigned as needed