Lead Host

Eataly; West Palm Beach (FL); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Eataly is seeking a Lead Host for its West Palm Beach location. The Senior Host will greet and seat guests, manage reservations and the waitlist, and coordinate with the events team to ensure smooth service during peak hours.

The role requires hosting experience in a high-volume restaurant, plus basic computer skills. Onsite availability and a flexible schedule are essential for success in this fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in a high-volume restaurant.
• Basic computer skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests and manage seating to maintain flow during service.
• Train all new host hires on floor plan/table numbers, OpenTable features, guest interactions, and hospitality standards.
• Check voicemails and return calls to confirm reservations; forward event inquiries to the Events Team and escalate guest issues as needed.
• Respond to Guest Relations emails.
• Maintain menu inventory to reduce paper waste and print menus as needed.
• Ensure restaurant appearance details are maintained (flowers on tables, candles lit, etc.).
• Assist with checking in private events and allocating spaces accordingly.
• Share reservation details with management each shift for proper guest recognition.
• Communicate updates, expectations, and feedback between management and the host team.
• Oversee dining room functioning during service and manage waitlist and seating chart.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Lead Host

Eataly West Palm 580 Hibiscus Street, West Palm Beach, FL
33401, United States Full-time

Company Description

Eataly is the world’s largest artisanal Italian food and beverage marketplace! Eataly is not a chain; each Eataly is different, with its own character and own theme – but all with the same aim… for our guests to:

• SHOP a selection of high-quality Italian, local and homemade products
• LEARN through our classes and our team’s product knowledge

Job Description

A Senior Host is the first and last point of contact with guests at a restaurant and is responsible for greeting, seating and saying goodbye to guests as well as maintaining the flow of the restaurant during service. A Senior Host diligently and efficiently manages seating in Eataly’s restaurants. Reports to the Restaurant Floor Manager.

• Train all new host hires, including floor plan/table numbers, OpenTable features (timeline, booking reservations), guest interactions, and hospitality standards.
• Allocate time to check voicemails and return calls to confirm reservations; forward event inquiries to the Events Team and **escalate** guest recovery issues to management as needed.
• Assist with responding to Guest Relations emails.
• Maintain menu inventory to reduce paper waste; print menus as needed.
• Support the overall appearance of the restaurant by ensuring details are maintained (e.g., flowers on tables, candles lit, pillows fluffed and arranged, feminine hygiene baskets in restrooms stocked, etc.).
• Assist management with checking in private events and ensuring spaces are properly allocated and arranged.
• Share important reservation details with management each shift (e.g., birthdays, anniversaries, VIPs) to ensure proper guest recognition.
• Prepare and organize Tanti Auguri cards for birthdays and anniversaries, placing them on the appropriate tables to add a personalized touch of hospitality.
• Act as liaison between management and the host team by communicating updates, expectations, and feedback both ways.
• Oversees the general functioning of the dining room during meal service, relaying information to managers and service personnel
• Maintains an accurate, fair and up-to-date waitlist and seating chart using a computerized system
• Takes and manages reservations in restaurants that allow reservations
• Balances the guest flow among the service stations, taking into account requests for a particular table or server depending on availability
• Informs guests when tables are ready, escorts them to table, provides menus and introduces the server
• Assists with the duties of servers and bus persons as needed to maintain service effectiveness and efficiency
• Performs other duties as required or assigned

Job Requirements

• Availability to work onsite with a flexible schedule
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours, including standing, walking, bending and squatting

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in a high-volume restaurant
• Basic computer skills
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred