Dining Room Host Onboarding Checklist

Dining Room Host Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Dining Room Host starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Hospitality onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Dining Room Host, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Dining Room Host onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Dining Room Host Onboarding Checklist

1. Orientation: The dining room host should undergo a comprehensive orientation session to familiarize themselves with the company’s policies, procedures, and values. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated trainer.

2. Introduction to the team: The host should be introduced to the dining room staff, including managers, servers, and other support staff. This introduction helps foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among team members. The task is usually performed by the dining room manager or a senior staff member.

3. Training on reservation system: The host should receive training on the restaurant’s reservation system to effectively manage guest bookings and seating arrangements. This task is typically performed by a senior host or a designated trainer.

4. Familiarization with the menu: The host should be provided with a detailed overview of the restaurant’s menu, including descriptions of dishes, ingredients, and any special dietary considerations. This task is usually performed by the head chef or a senior member of the kitchen staff.

5. Understanding table management: The host should be trained on how to efficiently manage table turnover, ensuring that guests are seated promptly and tables are cleared and reset in a timely manner. This task is typically performed by the dining room manager or a senior host.

6. Learning guest service standards: The host should be educated on the restaurant’s guest service standards, including how to greet and interact with guests, handle complaints or special requests, and provide a positive dining experience. This task is usually performed by the dining room manager or a senior staff member.

7. Health and safety training: The host should receive comprehensive training on health and safety protocols, including proper food handling, sanitation practices, emergency procedures, and any specific regulations relevant to the hospitality industry. This task is typically performed by the restaurant’s health and safety officer or a designated trainer.

8. Cash handling procedures: If the host is responsible for handling cash transactions, they should be trained on the restaurant’s cash handling procedures, including how to process payments, reconcile cash registers, and maintain accurate records. This task is typically performed by the restaurant’s financial manager or a senior member of the administrative staff.

9. Introduction to the POS system: The host should be trained on the restaurant’s point-of-sale (POS) system, including how to input orders, process payments, and generate reports. This task is typically performed by a senior host or a designated trainer.

10. Shadowing experienced hosts: To gain practical experience and observe best practices, the host should have the opportunity to shadow experienced hosts during their shifts. This task is typically coordinated by the dining room manager or a senior host.

11. Reviewing company policies: The host should be provided with a copy of the company’s policies and procedures manual and given time to review and understand its contents. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated trainer.

12. Introduction to company culture: The host should be introduced to the company’s culture, values, and mission, helping them align their behavior and actions with the overall vision of the organization. This task is typically performed by the dining room manager or a senior staff member.

13. Cross-training opportunities: The host should be made aware of any cross-training opportunities available within the company, allowing them to expand their skills and potentially take on additional responsibilities in the future. This task is typically coordinated by the dining room manager or a senior staff member.

14. Performance expectations: The host should have a clear understanding of the performance expectations for their role, including key performance indicators, goals, and any performance evaluation processes. This task is typically performed by the dining room manager or a senior staff member.

15. Ongoing support and feedback: The host should be provided with ongoing support and feedback to help them continuously improve their skills and performance. This task is typically performed by the dining room manager or a designated mentor within the team

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Dining Room Host checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Dining Room Host up to speed and working well in your Hospitality team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.