Host / Food Runner

Shindigs Country Kitchen Bar & Stage; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible scheduling

Fun, upbeat team environment

Live music atmosphere

Employee discounts

Job summary

Shindigs Country Kitchen Bar & Stage in Riverside, CA is seeking an outgoing team member for a hybrid Front of House role combining Host and Food Runner duties. You’ll greet guests, manage waitlists and seat guests, deliver food promptly, and coordinate with servers and kitchen to keep things moving smoothly.

We’re looking for someone energetic, reliable, with strong communication and teamwork, ready to jump in during busy nights and events.

Qualifications

• Friendly, outgoing personality with a genuine sense of hospitality.
• Energetic and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to multitask and switch between responsibilities throughout a shift.
• Good attention to detail and the ability to work quickly without sacrificing accuracy.
• Dependable, punctual, and willing to jump in wherever the team needs help.

Responsibilities

• Greet every guest warmly and create a great first impression.
• Manage the waitlist, reservations, and table rotation.
• Seat guests according to server sections and restaurant flow.
• Provide accurate wait times and keep waiting guests informed.
• Answer incoming phone calls and assist with basic restaurant questions.
• Communicate with servers, bussers, bartenders, and managers to keep seating organized.
• Keep the host stand, entrance, and surrounding guest areas clean and organized.
• Help guests with questions about dining, live music, events, and seating.
• Deliver food from the kitchen to the correct guests and tables quickly and accurately.
• Verify table numbers, seat positions, and menu items before leaving the kitchen.
• Make sure plates are complete and presentation-ready before reaching the guest.
• Communicate clearly with cooks, expo, servers, and managers.
• Keep the expo and food pickup areas organized and ready for service.
• Assist with basic guest needs when delivering food.
• Help clear dishes, reset tables, and support the Front of House team when needed.

Skills

Hospitality

Communication

Teamwork

Multitasking

Punctuality

Customer-service

Job description

Shindigs is more than a restaurant — we’re a local gathering spot for great food, cold drinks, live music, and good times. We’re looking for an outgoing, energetic team member who can help create a great guest experience from the moment someone walks through the door until their food hits the table.

This is a hybrid Front of House position combining Host and Food Runner responsibilities. Depending on business volume and the needs of the restaurant, you may spend part of your shift welcoming and seating guests and another part helping our kitchen and service team deliver food to tables quickly and accurately.

If you’re friendly, organized, like staying busy, and don’t mind jumping in wherever you’re needed, you’ll fit right in.

What You’ll Do

As a Host:

• Greet every guest warmly and create a great first impression
• Manage the waitlist, reservations, and table rotation
• Seat guests according to server sections and restaurant flow
• Provide accurate wait times and keep waiting guests informed
• Answer incoming phone calls and assist with basic restaurant questions
• Communicate with servers, bussers, bartenders, and managers to keep seating organized
• Keep the host stand, entrance, and surrounding guest areas clean and organized
• Help guests with questions about dining, live music, events, and seating

As a Food Runner:

• Deliver food from the kitchen to the correct guests and tables quickly and accurately
• Verify table numbers, seat positions, and menu items before leaving the kitchen
• Make sure plates are complete and presentation-ready before reaching the guest
• Communicate clearly with cooks, expo, servers, and managers
• Keep the expo and food pickup areas organized and ready for service
• Assist with basic guest needs when delivering food
• Help clear dishes, reset tables, and support the Front of House team when needed

As Part of the Shindigs Team:

• Move between Host and Food Runner responsibilities based on business needs
• Help wherever needed during slower periods and transition quickly as volume increases
• Complete assigned opening, closing, stocking, and side-work responsibilities
• Help keep guest and service areas clean, safe, and organized
• Support teammates during busy dinners, weekends, live music, and special events

What We’re Looking For

• Friendly, outgoing personality with a genuine sense of hospitality
• Energetic and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to multitask and switch between responsibilities throughout a shift
• Good attention to detail and the ability to work quickly without sacrificing accuracy
• Dependable, punctual, and willing to jump in wherever the team needs help
• Comfortable interacting with guests and maintaining a positive attitude during busy periods
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and safely carry plates or trays, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Previous restaurant or customer-service experience is a plus, but not required — we’re willing to train the right person
• Must have or be able to obtain any required food-handler certification
• Evening, weekend, and high-volume event availability is strongly preferred

Why Work at Shindigs?

• Flexible scheduling
• Fun, upbeat team environment
• Fast-paced restaurant, bar, and live music atmosphere
• Learn multiple Front of House positions instead of being limited to one role
• Opportunity to grow into additional positions within the restaurant
• Employee discounts and perks
• Be part of a growing local Riverside restaurant and entertainment venue

If you’re the type of person who likes talking to guests, staying busy, and jumping in wherever you can help, we’d love to meet you.