Cooking School Host/Hostess

$15.00 - $17.90 PER HOUR

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The primary purpose of this position is to assist the Cooking School Chef by creating a welcoming and engaging experience for customers. This role serves as the primary point of contact for customers, provides exceptional service, and assists with front-of-house operations during Cooking School classes and events.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Follows established departmental and store policies and procedures
• Assists the Cooking School Chef to ensure the Cooking School is clean, well-maintained, and meets company standards of appearance and cleanliness
• Greet and checks in customers upon arrival
• Supports front-of-house operations under the direction of the Cooking School Chef
• Communicating regularly with customers through written and verbal means
• Maintains class rosters, including guests’ dietary restrictions
• Processing customer payments
• Washes, sanitizes, and stores dishes, cookware, utensils, and equipment used during cooking classes
• Coordinates private events by communicating with customers and the Cooking School Chef to confirm menus, verify guest counts, secure signed contracts, and collect payments in a timely manner.
• Ensures an exceptional customer experience during all classes, events, and private functions
• Tracking metrics as assigned by the Cooking School Chef, Store Director, and VP of Marketing
• Setting up for, taking care of guests, and assisting the chef during, and cleaning up after Cooking School classes and events, unless not needed as deemed by the Cooking School Chef
• Actively promotes and creatively and effectively markets Cooking School classes and special events
• Completes assigned tasks efficiently and in a timely manner
• Works with the Cooking School Chef to continually improve Cooking School performance and sales
• Receives feedback from customers through surveys and other means regarding Cooking School classes and special events
• Sets a professional and positive example to others
• Communicates effectively and works closely with the Cooking School Chef
• Communicates openly and frequently with Store Director
• Ensures company standards for safety, sanitation, and productivity are maintained
• Assists as needed to ensure the success of the store as a whole

MARGINAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS:

• Consistent and daily interaction with store associates
• Consistent and daily interaction with customers

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:

A high school diploma or equivalent preferred; or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Proficiency in phone, email, and customer service etiquette.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, balance friendliness with efficiency, and maintain focus while multitasking
• Have a current TIPS Certification and Food Handler’s Permit
• Experience with front-of-house operations, including serving, hosting, table setup, customer service, and basic cleaning procedures
• Passion for food, cooking, and creating exceptional guest experiences
• Possess a good working knowledge of food quality, dietary restrictions, culinary sanitation and hygiene, and kitchen safety and food presentation
• Be approachable, personable, and passionate
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures
• Proficient organization and planning skills
• Possess solid communication skills, including verbal, written, and listening skills in order to effectively and efficiently communicate with diverse groups of people
• Ability to professionally and appropriately handle conflict
• Ability to accept constructive review and be accountable for one’s own success as well as the success of your team of which you are a part
• Possess integrity, a positive attitude, be mission-driven, and be self-directed with a demonstrated passion for Harmons mission, the Harmons Cooking School mission, and a commitment to working collaboratively
• Continually strive to be product minded, customer minded, personnel minded, detail minded, consistent, and forward focused
• Ability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays

PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is generally performed in a safe and comfortable store environment with the possibility of infrequent exposure to hot, cold, slippery, and wet conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to grasp, push, pull, carry, stoop, twist, crouch, and reach; perform tasks requiring repetitive motion and eye, hand, and foot coordination; hear and respond to customer inquiries. Also requires standing, walking, and bending throughout the entire workday and the ability to maneuver heavy objects weighing up to 30 pounds from location to location.