Front of House Support Staff

Novo Restaurant in San Luis Obispo is currently looking for support staff to join our team (bussers and hosts)! We are looking for candidates with prior restaurant experience and summer availability.

This is a great opportunity to join a team of passionate individuals with a mission of delighting every guest with remarkable hospitality by serving fresh seasonal, global cuisine coupled with warm, authentic service. Our support staff is cross-trained for multiple positions and requires a strong sense of independent thinking and ability to prioritize tasks under pressure.

BUSSER POSITION SUMMARY:

You are a vital part of a team that delivers exceptional food and service. Pride in your work will show in your performance. Efficiency, speed, attention to detail, and self-motivation are very important to being part of the Novo team.

BUSSER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Be familiar with and adhere to all food safety standards, protocols and sanitation systems as established by the company

Pre-bussing:

• Remove excess items from the table ASAP, including: bread plates, silverware, empty bottles, empty glasses, ramekins, trash, food particles, etc.
• Entrée plates: pre-buss only those that have been pushed to the side, otherwise wait to bus plates until all guests have finished their meal. Always ask, “May I clear your plate?” before reaching for it. Be aware of the guests’ personal space.
• Use a clean napkin to wipe off food, sauces, etc. - anything dirty on the table. Do not use a towel from the bus station. Bussing:
• Bus and reset tables for the host team after the guest has left.
• Your responsibilities are to maintain the table by clearing & resetting tables, delivering water & bread as requested, refilling water, ice tea and coffee, as needed throughout their dining experience.

Refilling Drinks (water, coffee, ice, etc.):

• Be aware of when guests need a new water bottle & refill glasses as needed.
• Always use a plastic ice scoop, not glass. Scoop must be stored in a separate container.
• Occasionally when a server is really busy they may ask you to bring a soft drink to a table so you need to be familiar with how the soft drinks are served. Remember your priority is clearing the tables.

Boxing To-Go Food:

• Be sure to box the food in the right container, and label what it is on the sticker
• Always ask the guest which parts of the dish they would like boxed, ex: sauces go in the small clear ramekins containers, soups go in the soup containers, chapati should be wrapped in foil, etc.
• Always ask if the guest would like a bag, and use the appropriate size, and be sure everything is secured.

Be Proactive:

• Check the server sections so you know who has which tables
• Whenever you have a spare second ask the servers if you can do anything for them.
• Be aware of where each table is, meaning which course they are on, if the appetizer plates need to be cleared, if they need new silverware, etc.
• Be able to see everything as you traverse the dining room. You should see water glasses, sodas, iced tea, and all drinks that get refills.

HOST POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the FOH management team, hosts create a remarkable guest experience that begins with a warm and genuine greeting. They maintain an efficient and organized restaurant through managing guest flow, maximizing seating capacity and communicating with all employees. Hosts leave a lasting impression with all guests through their professionalism and attention to detail.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of Novo's operations, including operational hours, menus, promotions, events, and managerial contacts, as well as awareness of sister restaurants' activities.
• Seat tables as directed by Lead Host (if present) or FOH on-duty manager to designated table numbers, present the guests with menus, and tell the assigned server that a table has been seated in their section.
• Manage seating to optimize capacity, attend to guest needs, and distribute tables evenly among servers.
• Ensure that the floor is running smoothly by making seating decisions as needed to provide remarkable service to each table
• Effectively handle reservations and walk-ins, accommodating special requests and managing waitlists and table turn times.
• Assign tables efficiently, update reservation statuses promptly, and utilize dining areas effectively.
• Possess knowledge of our menu offerings and most popular dishes. Our hosts should be able to answer general questions about the menu.
• Check reservations for notes, special occasions and large parties. Communicate any special arrangements to servers or managers & support staff as needed to provide a remarkable experience for the guest.
• Communicate any issues, special circumstances, (extended wait times, cancellations, cake needing to be held in walk-in, severe allergies, etc.) or reports of guest dissatisfaction promptly to the FOH manager on duty.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the front area of the restaurant at all times. This includes menus, promotional material, kids’ coloring sheets, etc.
• Take accurate phone messages or transfer lines to appropriate extensions.
• Bus and reset tables promptly for reseating, pre-busing empty glassware and plateware, and assisting guests when necessary.
• Complete all opening and closing tasks as assigned in checklists, as well as sidework.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid California Servsafe Certification
• Valid California Sexual Harassment Certification
• Ability to excel under pressure
• Strong ability to multitask
• High standards of excellence
• Ability to communicate clearly
• High level of product knowledge
• Strong attention to detail
• Stamina to work up to 8 hours on your feet
• Self-motivation to complete tasks and to seek out projects
• Strong sense of urgency
• Genuine joy for hospitality
• MUST BE AVAILABLE TO WORK WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS.
• MUST HAVE SUMMER AVAILABILITY.

We seek staff who, like us, desire the best possible guest experience and who want to help us make that goal happen every day. Further details are available upon interviews or questions via email. Please reply with resume attached and include your availability.

Thank you!

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Referral program
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

Supplemental pay types:

• Tips

Application Question(s):

• Are you available to work Summer 2024? Please let us know your work availability and how many hours you are looking to work.
• When are you available to start work?

Experience:

• Restaurant: 1 year (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)
• Night Shift (Preferred)

Work Location: In person