Restaurant Host, The Wild Rabbit

11/29/2025

As a Restaurant Host, you will be the first point of contact for guests, managing reservations and ensuring a seamless dining experience. You will coordinate communication between front of house, kitchen, and hotel teams to maintain service flow and guest satisfaction.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

1,001-5,000 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

About The Company

Bamford Collection is a group of consciously minded lifestyle brands committed to nourishing and nurturing people and planet. What drives and inspires us is the belief that we have a responsibility not just to protect the world around us but to have a positive impact on it too. The group encompasses an organic farm and retailer; a considered clothing label; botanical skincare, bath and body collections; wellness destinations around the world; and hospitality experiences that foster a sense of community and celebrate the healing power of escapism. We champion a slow and sustainable way of living, encouraging our customers to make choices that are greener for the planet as well as kinder to their bodies and minds. We are more than a group of businesses striving to make a difference, we are a way of life. Daylesford Organic - The seed that grew into Daylesford was sown over forty years ago when Carole Bamford recognised the importance and benefits of organic farming. What began as a simple passion for real food and a desire to feed our children better has grown into Daylesford as we know it today, one of the most sustainable farms and food retailers in the UK. A year after opening, Daylesford began making and sourcing household goods and homewares, a range that now encompasses a dedicated garden space and plant nursery. Daylesford’s flagship farm shop in the Cotswolds is complemented by 4 farms shops and cafes in central London, and a growing ecommerce platform. Bamford – From its foundations offering sustainable body care, skincare, clothing and home, Bamford has grown into a wellbeing brand offering beautiful, effective, and ethical products in stores and across its range of spas. Daylesford Stays - Our hospitality division encompasses a collection of traditional Cotswold-stone cottages and modern British Inns; existing pubs The Wild Rabbit at Kingham, The Fox at Oddington, The Bell at Charlbury and The Three Horsehoes at Ashtall.

About the Role

THE BAMFORD COLLECTION IS A GROUP OF CONSCIOUSLY MINDED LIFESTYLE BRANDS COMMITTED TO NOURISHING AND NURTURING PEOPLE AND PLANET. EARNINGS: £34,250 per annum OTE* (Paid hourly — OTE available through gratuities/service charge) HOURS: 40 hours per week, any 5 days in 7, including weekends.ABOUT US The Wild Rabbit in Kingham is a fine dining restaurant and boutique hotel in the heart of the Cotswolds. Recognised in the Top 50 Gastropubs, the Top 50 Boutique Hotels, and awarded 3 AA Rosettes, The Wild Rabbit blends culinary excellence with warm, authentic hospitality.Working in close connection with Daylesford Farm, our menus showcase the best seasonal, organic produce, crafted with skill and creativity. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Callum Graham, our team combines classical technique with modern inspiration, making The Wild Rabbit one of the most exciting fine dining destinations in the Cotswolds.ABOUT THE ROLE We are looking for a warm, polished, and highly organised Restaurant Host to be the first point of contact for our guests. This role sets the tone for the entire dining experience — from the first welcome to the final farewell.As Restaurant Host, you will be responsible for managing reservations, coordinating the flow of service, and maintaining clear communication between front of house, kitchen, and hotel teams. You will ensure every guest receives a seamless, memorable welcome that reflects the understated elegance and genuine hospitality of The Wild Rabbit.<ul></ul>YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES Guest Welcome & Experience<ul><li>Create a warm, attentive, and memorable first impression for every guest</li><li>Manage check-ins, seating, and guest flow with confidence and composure</li><li>Build natural rapport, remembering preferences and recognising returning guests</li><li>Communicate allergens, dietary notes, and special occasions accurately and discreetly</li><li>Resolve guest concerns with professionalism, warmth, and timely escalation when needed</li></ul>Reservation & Service Coordination<ul><li>Manage all reservations and table allocations, ensuring smooth service flow</li><li>Conduct pre-arrival calls to confirm bookings, understand guest preferences, and identify special occasions or celebration details</li><li>Proactively gather and record guest information — including celebrations, dining preferences, accessibility needs, or notable requests — to personalise the guest experience</li><li>Maintain, update, and prepare menus daily in coordination with the Chef team</li><li>Ensure all departments receive accurate Running Orders, including allergies (Red), requests (Yellow), and guest notes (Green)</li><li>Lead daily briefings, sharing key guest information to support the FOH and kitchen teams</li><li>Support the wider FOH team during service with a proactive, hands-on approach</li></ul>Operational Excellence<ul><li>Ensure the restaurant is fully set and presentable for every service period</li><li>Maintain impeccable standards of cleanliness and attention to detail at the host stand and entrance areas</li><li>Monitor guest turnaround times to support service pacing and section management</li><li>Follow health & safety procedures and escalate any concerns promptly</li><li>Champion The Wild Rabbit’s service standards and sustainability commitments</li></ul>Teamwork & Communication<ul><li>Collaborate closely with Chef de Rang, Bar, Sommelier, and Hotel teams</li><li>Communicate clearly and respectfully across all departments</li><li>Share knowledge about our food, drink, provenance, and The Bamford Collection brands</li><li>Lead by example with grooming, professionalism, and guest-centred behaviour</li></ul><ul></ul>SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS<ul><li>Previous experience in a host, reservations, or front-of-house role (fine dining preferred)</li><li>Immaculate presentation and a confident, welcoming manner</li><li>Excellent organisational and multitasking skills under pressure</li><li>Strong communication skills and a natural ability to build rapport</li><li>Tech proficiency with reservation platforms (ResDiary or similar)</li><li>Reliable, punctual, and committed to delivering exceptional hospitality</li></ul>PERKS & BENEFITS<ul></ul><ul><li>Discounts: We offer a range of discounts on our products, treatments, and dining experiences from day 1.</li><li>Volunteering Days: Employees are offered one paid day per year to volunteer with a charity of their choice.</li><li>Private Medical: We offer subsidised private medical insurance through Bupa.</li><li>Pension Scheme: Pay up to 9% of your salary into your pension each month; we contribute up to 4.5%.</li><li>Life Assurance: We offer life assurance cover, equivalent of up to a year of your annual salary.</li><li>Mental Health Support: Our Employee Assistance Programme provides 24-hour support, seven days a week.</li></ul>*The on target earning potential for this role is £34,250 per annum based on a 40-hour contract - comprising a base salary of £28,250, plus a qualified estimate of £6,000 in gratuities and service charge. Please note this role is paid hourly so this is a projected salary and OTE.About gratuities and service charge: Gratuities are paid on a pro-rata basis. It is estimated that in 2025, full-time employees can expect to receive in the region of £6,000 in addition to their annual salary.

Key Skills

Host ExperienceReservations ManagementOrganizational SkillsMultitaskingCommunication SkillsGuest RelationsAttention to DetailTech ProficiencyProfessionalismTeam Collaboration