Assistant Maitre'd

Crew Life at Sea Ltd.; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Crew Life at Sea Ltd. in Cape Town seeks an experienced Maitre'd/Assistant Maitre'd to lead our dining room team aboard a luxury cruise ship.

You will supervise service, ensure guest satisfaction, and coordinate with kitchen, bar, and entertainment for a seamless dining experience. The role demands exceptional wine knowledge, strong leadership and communication, and the ability to work under pressure while delivering impeccable service to guests from diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years as Maitre'd or Assistant Maitre'd in a fine dining restaurant or luxury hotel.
• Excellent knowledge of food and beverage service, including wine pairing and fine dining etiquette.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to work well under pressure.
• Customer-focused with the ability to provide exceptional service to guests from diverse backgrounds.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of other languages is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Maitre'd in supervising and coordinating dining room operations.
• Greet guests and seat them, addressing seating concerns and ensuring satisfaction.
• Maintain dining room cleanliness and proper table settings and equipment.
• Assist in creating and updating menus, accommodating dietary restrictions and requests.
• Work with kitchen staff to ensure meals are prepared and presented to high standards.
• Train and mentor wait staff to deliver exceptional service.
• Handle guest complaints professionally and promptly.
• Collaborate with bar and entertainment teams for a seamless dining experience.
• Adhere to safety and sanitation regulations and conduct regular inspections.
• Assist in managing inventory and ordering dining room supplies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer service

Wine knowledge

English fluency

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Maitre'd in supervising and coordinating all aspects of the dining room, including managing the wait staff and ensuring timely and efficient service On Board Cruise Ship
• Greet guests and escort them to their tables, ensuring their satisfaction with their seating arrangements and addressing any concerns
• Monitor and maintain the cleanliness and organization of the dining room, ensuring all tables are properly set and all equipment is in working order
• Assist in creating and updating menus, and ensure all special requests and dietary restrictions are accommodated
• Work closely with the kitchen team to ensure all food is prepared and presented according to the highest standards of quality and presentation
• Train and mentor new wait staff, providing guidance and support to ensure they deliver exceptional service
• Handle guest complaints and resolve any issues in a timely and professional manner
• Collaborate with other departments, such as the bar and entertainment teams, to ensure a seamless dining experience for our guests
• Adhere to all safety and sanitation regulations, and assist in conducting regular inspections of the dining room and equipment to ensure compliance
• Assist in managing inventory and ordering supplies as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Maitre'd or management team.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Maitre'd or Assistant Maitre'd in a fine dining restaurant or luxury hotel
• Excellent knowledge of food and beverage service, including wine pairing and fine dining etiquette
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to work well under pressure
• Customer-focused and able to provide exceptional service to guests from diverse backgrounds
• Fluent in English; knowledge of other languages is a plus
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Must be physically able to stand for long periods