Server/Runner

Server / Runner

Pay: Up to £14.00 per hour
Employment: Full-Time
Location: Soul Mama, Islington

About Soul Mama

At Soul Mama, we are all about bringing soulful experiences to life through exceptional food, world-class live music and vibrant culture. Our mission is simple: to create unforgettable experiences that nourish both the body and soul.

As one of London's fastest-growing live music venue and restaurant brands, we pride ourselves on creating high-energy spaces where music, community and hospitality come together.

Our Servers and Runners are at the heart of the guest experience, delivering warm, attentive service while ensuring food and drinks reach our guests efficiently, accurately and with the energy and personality that represents Soul Mama.

Job Overview

The Server / Runner is responsible for delivering exceptional front-of-house service while supporting the smooth and efficient operation of the restaurant.

This is a hands-on and flexible role combining table service and food and drink running. Depending on the requirements of the shift, you may be responsible for running your own section, taking orders and payments, delivering food and drinks, resetting tables or supporting other members of the team.

You will work closely with the restaurant, bar, kitchen and events teams to ensure guests receive prompt, professional and engaging service throughout their visit.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Service & Experience

Deliver warm, friendly and attentive service while following the Soul Mama Steps of Service. Welcome and engage with guests, take accurate food and drink orders and ensure guests are looked after throughout their experience. Maintain awareness of your section, anticipate guest needs and respond professionally to requests. Resolve straightforward queries confidently and escalate complaints, incidents or service concerns promptly to the Restaurant Supervisor or manager on duty.

Table Service & Section Management

Confidently manage an allocated section when required, ensuring tables are correctly prepared before service and maintained throughout the shift. Take accurate orders, monitor food and drink delivery, clear and reset tables efficiently and ensure guests receive appropriate attention throughout their visit. Communicate delays, missing items and service issues quickly to the appropriate team.

Food & Drink Running

Deliver food and beverages promptly and accurately from the kitchen and bar to the correct tables. Check table numbers and items before delivery and communicate effectively with Servers, Kitchen and Bar teams. Assist with clearing, glass collection, table resets, restocking and maintaining clear service routes throughout the restaurant.

Menu Knowledge & Sales

Develop excellent knowledge of the Soul Mama food and drinks menus, including ingredients, specials, promotions and available alternatives. Confidently describe menu items and make appropriate recommendations to guests. Use suggestive selling and upselling techniques to support spend per head and sales performance while ensuring recommendations enhance the guest experience.

POS & Payments

Accurately use the Company's POS and payment systems to enter orders, process bills and take payments. Follow Company procedures relating to discounts, voids and complimentary items and immediately report any payment, till or billing discrepancies.

Food Safety & Allergens

Maintain high standards of personal hygiene and safe food handling and complete all required Food Safety and Allergen Awareness training. Understand the 14 regulated allergens and follow Soul Mama's allergen procedures at all times. Accurately record and communicate allergies and dietary requirements and never guess, assume or provide unverified allergen information. Immediately escalate allergen queries or suspected errors to the appropriate manager or kitchen team.

Alcohol Licensing & Challenge 25

Follow all applicable alcohol licensing requirements and Soul Mama's Challenge 25 procedures when taking orders for, serving or delivering alcoholic beverages. Request acceptable identification when required and never knowingly sell or supply alcohol to anyone under 18. Remain alert to suspected proxy purchases or intoxicated guests and escalate concerns regarding continued alcohol service to the manager on duty. All required licensing and age-verification training must be completed.

Teamwork & Operational Support

Work collaboratively with Servers, Runners, Bar, Kitchen, Management and Events teams to maintain efficient service. Support colleagues during busy periods and contribute to opening, closing, cleaning, restocking and venue setup procedures. Maintain clean and organised service stations and take shared responsibility for keeping guest and service areas presentable.

Live Events & Venue Operations

Support restaurant operations during live performances, brunches and private events while maintaining service standards. Remain aware of show timings and service changes and work with the Management and Production teams to support smooth transitions between dining and live entertainment. Where required, assist with authorised artist hospitality and Green Room requirements.

Health, Safety & Compliance

Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of guests and colleagues. Follow Soul Mama's Health & Safety procedures, risk assessments, fire and emergency procedures and safe systems of work. Maintain clear service routes and emergency exits, follow safe manual-handling practices and exercise appropriate care when carrying hot food, glassware and loaded trays. Spillages, broken glass, defective equipment, accidents, hazards and near misses must be dealt with or reported immediately in accordance with Company procedures.

Communication & Professional Standards

Communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues across all departments. Attend team briefings and mandatory training and remain informed of menu changes, promotions, events and operational updates. Arrive punctually, clock in and out correctly, maintain the required uniform and presentation standards and follow Soul Mama policies, procedures and House Rules.

Skills & Experience

Previous experience within a busy restaurant, bar, hospitality or customer-facing environment is preferred. You should be confident interacting with guests, able to work efficiently under pressure and comfortable working as part of a fast-moving team.

Previous table service experience and the ability to independently manage a restaurant section are highly desirable. You should have good attention to detail, strong communication skills and the ability to safely carry food, drinks and service equipment throughout a busy shift.

You must be available to work full-time hours, including evenings, weekends and live events according to the rota.

Core Competencies

· Guest-focused approach

· Excellent communication skills

· Strong table service skills

· Speed and efficiency

· Attention to detail

· Sales confidence

· Organisation and time management

· Teamwork and collaboration

· Reliability and punctuality

· Adaptability in a fast-paced environment

· Professionalism

· Commitment to Soul Mama standards

Desirable but not essential

Experience working within a busy restaurant, premium hospitality environment or live music venue. Experience independently running a restaurant section. Food Safety Level 2 qualification. Allergen Awareness training. Challenge 25 or responsible alcohol service training. Experience using Square or similar hospitality POS systems.

Relevant training will be provided where required.

Why Join Soul Mama?

You will be joining one of London's most exciting cultural venues, where exceptional food, live music and community come together to create unforgettable experiences.

As Soul Mama continues to grow, we are committed to developing our people and creating opportunities for progression into senior Server, Restaurant Supervisor and wider venue roles.

At Soul Mama, you are not simply taking orders or running plates; you are part of the experience our guests have come to see, hear and feel.

If you are passionate about hospitality, love working with people and thrive in a vibrant, music-led environment, we would love to welcome you to the Soul Mama team.

Benefits

• Company pension
• Free Meal on Shift
• Employee discount
• Store discount

Experience

• Waiting / Server experience: 1 year (required)
• Hospitality / Customer Service: 1 year (preferred)

Work authorisation

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

Pay: £12.71-£14.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 48.0 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount

Application question(s):

• Do you have experience providing table service and independently managing a section in a busy restaurant?

Experience:

• Server: 1 year (required)
• Sales: 1 year (required)
• POS: 1 year (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person