Host

Wooden Paddle; La Grange (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO medical, dental, & vision

401K retirement savings with company 3

Flexible days off

Dining allowance $25 daily

50% employee discount on food while on

20% employee discount on food & drinks

State of the Company events

Company-paid coaching & resources

EOS-driven collaborative team

Holidays off

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Wooden Paddle is seeking a part-time Host in La Grange, IL. The role focuses on warm welcomes, thoughtful seating, and proactive guest care in a fast-paced restaurant environment.

You will maintain a guest-ready front-of-house, handle peak shifts, and contribute to a fun, high-energy dining experience. Experience in hospitality and ServSafe certification are preferred, with opportunities for growth and a strong team culture.

Qualifications

• Guest-facing role experience of at least 1 year.
• Must hold ServSafe Food Handler Certification.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Physically able to stand, walk, and lift up to 25 pounds.
• Part-time availability during busy shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Familiarity with Toast and SevenRooms is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Warm welcomes and farewells to guests.
• Strategic, well-balanced seating to optimize guest flow.
• Proactive and personalized guest care.
• Maintain guest-ready front-of-house spaces.

Skills

Guest-facing experience

ServSafe Food Handler Certification

18+ years old

Physical stamina

Part-time availability during peak ShD

Open availability for full-time

Toast & SevenRooms familiarity

Tools

Toast POS

SevenRooms

Job description

IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?

• Do you love working in a fast-paced, high-energy environment?
• Are you the kind of person who can’t stand sitting still when there’s work to be done?
• Do you thrive on figuring out a way to make things happen, no matter what?
• Are you the type of person who holds yourself to high standards, because you believe how you do one thing is how you do everything?
• Do you believe that working hard and having fun can (and should!) go hand-in-hand?

Yes?! Then YOU should join our team!

WHY WORK HERE?:

Here are some of the perks!

• PPO medical, dental, & vision insurance with 50% company contribution
• 401K retirement savings plan w/ 3% company match
• Flexible days off, typically back-to-back
• A free, $25 dining allowance every day you work
• A 50% employee discount on food while you're working
• A 20% employee discount on food & drinks anytime you're not working, for you & your whole table
• Attendance at fun, "State of the Company" company events twice a year
• Access to lots of company‑paid business coaching & resources
• As a company, we run on EOS; so we're a collaborative, strategic, and winning team (i.e. no more meetings that just waste your time - promise!)
• Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, & your birthday off, automatically
• The opportunity to grow quickly with a forward‑thinking company that regularly reinvests in itself and its people

*Select benefits are available exclusively to full‑time team members

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?:

RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Host, these are the results you'll be hired to accomplish:

» ① Warm Welcomes & Farewells

» ② Strategic, Well-Balanced Seating

» ③ Proactive & Personalized Guest Care

» ④ Guest-Ready Front-of-House Spaces

PAY

The total compensation for this position will be between $17.00 - $20.00 per hour. We pay a base wage of $15 - $17 / hour plus tips. Base wage is based on relevant experience. Tips are based on your level of hospitality, shifts worked, and how busy we are - the busier, the better!

WORK SCHEDULE

This position is part‑time, with a flexible schedule designed around the demands of the restaurant. This position will regularly work the busiest shifts of the week, based on daily forecasted sales and special events; typically weekends. Evening shifts are most common, with occasional morning and midday shifts available.

WILL YOU FIT IN HERE?

Our team has been built - brick by brick - on shared core values. And no, they’re not just bullsh*t words slapped on a wall - they’re who we are at our core - and they’re non‑negotiables for working here. You’ll feel super *comfy* and right at home if these words describe you:

» You Come With Batteries Included

You’re a high‑energy self‑starter who jumps into action, and doesn’t need hand‑holding to get things done.

» You’re Scrappy

You’re a resourceful problem‑solving who makes things happen; if there’s no door, you get in through a window.

» You Take Your Work Seriously

You take pride in your work, big and small, and you have a natural reflex to do things the *right* way.

» But, You Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

You’re a positive team player who owns up to your mistakes, is open to feedback, and is humble about your wins.

And if these words *don’t* describe you? You’ll be decidedly *uncomfy* here. So, fair warning - If you’re a cranky a** problem‑bringer who’s cool being super‑mid at your job and needs constant hand holding… may we suggest… working literally anywhere else?

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Here are some of our must-haves & would-like-to-haves:

• At least 1 year of experience in a guest‑facing role, preferably in a high‑volume, fast paced restaurant
• Must have current ServSafe Food Handler Certification
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Physically able to stand, walk, and move for long periods and lift up to 25 pounds
• For part‑time positions, must have consistent availability during peak shifts - including nights, weekends, and holidays
• For full‑time positions, must have open availability
• Familiarity with Toast & SevenRooms a plus!

Wooden Paddle is 13‑years‑young restaurant & catering company, started in 2013.
Our purpose, and the reason we exist, is to be 'The Place You Want to Be'.
Our niche, and the thing we work really freaking hard to do better than anyone else, is creating Super Fun Dining Experiences.
Our focus is shareable, wood‑fired comfort foods, artsy cocktails, & good‑time energy.
As a team, we're scrappy go‑getters who don't take ourselves too seriously - but we take our food, drinks, and hospitality *extremely* seriously.
And we're all on a mission to hit 10 Million Good‑Time Guest Experiences by 2033! Come for the pizza, stay for the party bb!