Host

Milo + Olive in Santa Monica is looking for a warm, welcoming Host to join our team. As the first point of contact for our guests when they arrive and the last friendly face they see when they leave, our Hosts set the tone for a memorable dining experience. We’re seeking someone with genuine hospitality, excellent communication skills, and a love for connecting with people. If you’re passionate about creating a positive first and last impression, we’d love to meet you.

Milo + Olive is an all-day, neighborhood bakery and pizzeria that features the best, organic ingredients from the nearby Santa Monica Farmers' Market. Breakfast showcases handcrafted breads, rustic pastries and morning desserts, with plated dishes incorporating a variety of those breads, plus hearty egg dishes and bowls. For lunch and dinner, our culinary team turns out a selection of different classic and seasonal pizzas, made with our signature 48-hour pizza dough, alongside an array of rustic, Italian wood-fired vegetables.

At Rustic Canyon Family of Restaurants, we take “family” to heart, by ensuring all our customers and staff feel at home, and leave feeling satisfied, nourished and inspired. We believe food tastes better when ingredients are sourced responsibly from local farmers and vendors, and is made by hand in-house, using classic craftsmanship and technique. We create welcoming places for people to come together and gather over delicious, thoughtful food. We give back to our community through charitable outreach, and care for our natural environment by recycling and implementing other sustainable practices. Finally, we take care of ourselves and each other, so we can feel proud about all the hard work we do.     

Each Host is responsible for working quickly and efficiently to support the team and ensure that standards are maintained. 

As a Host, your job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain and maximize the overall seating of the restaurant without overwhelming the service or kitchen staff - to be done in a friendly, knowledgeable, welcoming, calm, and communicative fashion.
• Taking reservations over the phone (either by directly answering, or returning voicemail requests, as well as confirming reservations for the next day’s service) and entering them correctly into the RESY reservation book.  
• Maintain reservation slots in the book that are available for online reservations.
• Maintain the reservation book so that seating throughout the night is balanced (not too many covers in any one time slot), and that all reservation times are honored.
• Responsible for seating walk-in guests, and creating and maintaining a wait-list for guests when a table is not immediately available.
• Exceptional communication skills, able to communicate clearly and confidently with guests about: reservations, special requests, accurate wait times, dining and bar options, and pertinent information about the restaurant and menu. For example, corkage fees and policy, cake cutting fees, etc..
• Alerting servers and/or kitchen of special needs or other important information about a particular guest.
• Communicate effectively with bussers to ensure tables are set for the appropriate number of guests.
• Communicate effectively with the bar, regarding the transfer of bar tabs to the dining room and which table drinks should be sent to if the party is seated before their drink is completed.
• Maintain the flowers in the restaurant.
• Set up candles for service, and maintain them throughout.
• Remove and recycle old menus.
• Inform manager on duty if dessert menus need to be printed
• Keep the host desk clean, neat and organized.
• Alert management when supplies need to be replenished.
• Attend mandatory pre-shift meetings.
• Staying updated on current menu choices including wine, beer, cocktails, and spirits, as well as specials, menu deviations, knowing if the bar/kitchen is low on any items...etc.
• Responsible for take-out orders with all cash & other payment transactions.
• Help maintain cleanliness of lounge tables, guest entrance, and restroom areas.
• Perform basic cleaning tasks as needed or directed by supervisor. 
• Assisting with special events as needed. 
• Understands and can communicate products and services available.

Requirements 

• Ability to accept and follow verbal instructions and delegated tasks in English.
• Fundamental understanding of sanitation, cleanliness and personal hygiene.
• Regular, predictable and reliable attendance.
• Good attention to detail and ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Attendance of FOH meetings.
• Excellent customer service skills with a friendly and outgoing manner toward the public. 
• Flexibility with work assignments and shifts.
• Initiative and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers verbally

Physical Demands

• Requires moderate physical effort. Standing, carrying, bending, stretching, stooping, pulling and pushing, lifting weights up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions

• Working conditions involve noise, heat, temperature changes, kitchen elements, odors, moisture, etc. May be required to work additional hours as dictated by the work load and staffing. Must be willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Uniform Requirements:

To create & maintain a professional and friendly environment, the following guidelines apply to the Host’s attire:

• Dresses/Skirts/Tops:  not too short or low cut.
• Shirts/Blouses/Blazers: pressed, professional and logo-less
• Denim/Slacks:  no holes, rips, tears and dark in color
• Overall appearance is to be business casual, clean and polished.  
• No athletic shoes, T-shirts, or shorts. 
• Accessories are to be in good taste and not distracting.