Head Waiter & Wine Host

Head Waiter & Wine Host
Kynd, Hampton Manor, Hampton-in-Arden
Great service, a good glass, and the story behind both.

About us
Hampton Manor is an independent 45-acre hotel and foodie estate, in Hampton-in-Arden, Warwickshire. We hold two Michelin Keys and run on 100% renewable energy. Around our walled garden you'll find Kynd, as well as Michelin-starred Grace & Savour, a 24-bedroom manor house, our bakery, a cookery school and a busy wedding and events operation.

Kynd sits in the old furnace house of the walled garden and has recently been awarded 3 AA Rosettes, as well as being named one of Condé Nast Traveller best new openings. It serves British produce from small farms, cooked over coals: generous and rooted in comfort and flavour, with a proper Sunday roast.

Kynd is open for lunch, Friday to Sunday, and dinner, Friday to Tuesday. Our drinks list celebrates sustainable farming, with low-intervention wines from the familiar to the adventurous, wine by the carafe and cocktails garnished from the garden.

We're looking for a natural floor leader who loves looking after guests and has a real curiosity for wine.

The role
You'll be Kynd's Head Waiter first. Across lunch and dinner, you'll lead service on the floor: setting the pace, looking after guests and supporting the team, so every table gets warm, generous, unfussy hospitality.

On one or two shifts a week, you'll also be our Wine Host. On those shifts you'll host Swig, our informal 4pm wine tasting for hotel guests, held in the Manor House or at Grace & Savour, then bring that wine know-how back to the floor at Kynd. You'll also lend a hand to our Head of Wine, sharing guest feedback and helping keep stock in good shape.

What you'll do

On the floor

• Lead lunch and dinner service, keeping the room lively, warm and well-paced.
• Be hands-on throughout service: greeting, taking orders, serving and working alongside the team.
• Read the room, spot what guests need before they ask, and make every visit feel personal.
• Set and model our service standards, coaching and supporting the waiting team.
• Brief the team before service on business updates, menus and drinks to recommend.
• Handle guest feedback and resolve issues on the spot.
• Work closely with the kitchen to keep service smooth.
• Help with opening and closing, section set-up and keeping the restaurant looking its best.
• Support the Restaurant Supervisor and Restaurant Manager, day to day.

On wine

• Host Swig for our hotel guests in the Manor House or at Grace & Savour, keeping it relaxed, fun and jargon-free.
• Help guests find the right glass, carafe, or bottle during service.
• Support our Head of Wine with stock counts and rotation, and pass on what guests are enjoying.
• Share simple wine tips with the team to build their confidence.

About you

• You have solid experience as a head waiter, or as a senior waiter ready to step up, in a quality restaurant or hotel.
• You love being on the floor and take pride in great, genuine hospitality.
• You lead by example and keep a team positive and focused during a busy service.
• You're curious about wine, especially sustainable and low-intervention, and keen to grow your knowledge.
• You can talk to guests warmly and simply, whether about the menu or a glass of wine.
• You're organised, with a good eye for detail.
• WSET Level 2 or above is a bonus, but not essential. We'll support your studies.

What we offer

• The chance to lead the floor at Kynd, one of the estate's two restaurants.
• Mentoring from our Head of Wine and funded WSET qualifications to grow your wine knowledge.
• A clear path to progress, with more Wine Host shifts as your skills grow, and opportunities across the estate, including Grace & Savour.
• Pay: £13 per hour (£23,660 a year), plus service charge.
• Hours: 35 hours per week across lunch and dinner service, including weekends.
• Benefits: Meals on shift, staff discounts across the estate and a workplace pension.

Pay: £13.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 per week

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person