Host

The first voice guests hear and the first face they see. You set the tone for everything that follows.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Host is the entry point of the Tupelo Grille experience. You are responsible for welcoming guests, managing reservations and waitlists through OpenTable, handling incoming calls and messages, and ensuring the flow of the dining room supports a smooth, unhurried evening. This role also carries light administrative responsibilities, including following up on inquiries and coordinating with the floor team on pacing and seating. You do not just seat people — you begin the experience.

Reports to: General Manager

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Greet every arriving guest warmly and promptly
• Manage the reservation book and waitlist through OpenTable, maintaining accurate wait times and table availability
• Answer incoming phone calls professionally, take reservations, respond to inquiries, and relay accurate information about the menu, hours, and policies
• Follow up on voicemails, online inquiries, and messages in a timely manner
• Communicate seating pacing to the floor team and manager to support a balanced workload
• Monitor the dining room and lounge for table turns and coordinate with servers and bussers accordingly
• Manage to-go orders: take orders by phone or in person, confirm pickup times, and coordinate packaging with the kitchen
• Maintain a clean and organized host stand throughout the shift
• Assist with light administrative tasks as directed by the GM

QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience in a guest-facing hospitality or service role preferred
• Comfortable with reservation management software — OpenTable experience a plus
• Strong verbal communication skills, both in person and by phone
• Organized and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously during busy service
• Reliable, punctual, and professional in appearance

YOU'RE A GREAT FIT IF YOU

• You make people feel welcomed before they have even sat down
• You stay calm when the room is full and the phone is ringing
• You communicate clearly with the team and follow through on what you say you will do

You take ownership of the front door without being asked twice