Hostessing at Ippolitos?

Question

im 16 years old and im looking for my first part time job at Ippolitos as a hostess. My friend who works there told me that she makes about 9 an hour. what exactly do hostesses do? and ive been hearing alot on Answers about something called "tip out?" wat does that mean?

thanks in advance

Answer 1

They may that include hosts in the tip pool. Where the servers pool all their tips and they are split between the servers, hosts, bussers & food runners. Other than that, you only split coat check tips with the hosts.

I have worked as a host and I have to say, build yourself an arsenal of excuses and reasons as to why...

They say:"Why is the restaurant empty, but I can't have a table"

You say: "Unfortunately I must accomodate my reservations and I want you to have optimal service. A majority of our guests do not choose to eat at early hours which is why the tables are empty. You're welcome to dine at our bar or I can reserve a table for you at a later time."

They say: "I'm friends with the owner."

You say: "Yes, they are quite popular." There's nothing for them to say after that.

They say: "I want a table for this many at this time"

(It's not available)

You say: "I have a table to accomodate your party at this other time or I can put you on a wait list. It would be unethical of me to delete someone's reservation, who made it in a timely manner. I usually recommend calling at least a 2 weeks in advance to reserve ideal times."

They say: "Why can't I have this table?"

You say: (this can go a few ways) 1) "Unfortunately I just sat this server multiple times and they are being run a bit ragged right now, you are welcome to have this table at a later time, but I do want to make sure you get optimal service."

2) "I would need this table back at this time to accomodate a reservation that was made before yours, but you're welcome to sit at this table (the one you want them at) at your leisure."

They say: "What's your favorite thing on the menu?"

You say the most expensive item to get the servers more money (especially if they to tip you out.)

They say: "Is our table ready yet?"

You say: "Unfortunately, the guests on your table are taking longer than normal. Most people don't realise we the popularity of our restaurant and that we try to utilize our tables more than once (if it's ok with management) I would like to get you some appetizers to tide you over until your table is ready. I do apologize for the wait." (saying this makes guests aware that ALL restaurants need to use their tables more than once and helps to cut down on the campers.)

----

Know turn times on party sizes (how fast a table goes through dinner) and keep a list of 1st available tables for walk -ins and wait lists.

Never call a guest a customer.

If a guest asks where the bathroom is, escort them, don't just tell them where it is.

If a guest is waiting at the bar, and their table is ready, carry their drinks for them. It helps if you have their menus on the table beforehand, that way you don't have to carry too much.

Pull out chairs for the guest to sit. Hand menus to women first. After handing out menus, place napkins in laps (this is only if you work fine dining or your restaurant provides cloth napkins.)

Learn a few napkin folds. When a guest leaves for restroom, it's appropriate for them to come back to a napkin folded into a wolverine or something else fanciful.

Learn position numbers so you can let your server know who's birthday or who's anniversary it is.

When someone makes a reservation and they say it's a birthday, ask for a short description of the person so the server knows who to bring the dessert with a candle to.

(Not necessary if it's only 2 in the reservation.)

Have a list of taxi numbers for guests. Open & close the doors of the cab when they get in. Hold doors open when they leave.