Head Waiter

JOB DESCRIPTION

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

Linea is a new restaurant and bakery brand launching in June 2025, comprising:

• Café Linea: our flagship restaurant and bar, with an onsite bakery, launching this Spring in one of London’s most iconic locations
• Events by Linea: a luxury, bespoke events business, specialising in XXL, showstopping cakes and dessert installations
• Linea Online: a direct-to-consumer online store, specialising in celebration cakes and gift/event boxes of sweet/savoury pastries

Café Linea occupies a truly unique, high-profile location in Chelsea, comprising architecturally stunning, Grade II* listed interiors and an incomparable all-year terrace with views over a picturesque green. It includes 72 covers internally and 60 covers on the terrace, and will open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A place to visit at any time of day, whether for a morning pastry and cappuccino, an afternoon glass of wine on the terrace, a substantial meal, or spritzes and small plates in the evening.

THE ROLE

As the Senior Waiter/Head Waiter at Café Linea is responsible for providing exceptional dining experiences by taking orders, serving food and beverages, and attending to guest needs in a courteous and efficient manner. This role requires excellent communication, multitasking skills, and a guest-focused attitude to service.

As Senior Waiter / Head Waiter at Café Linea, you will be responsible for:

Guest Relations

• Provide a warm and professional greeting to guests and ensure their needs are met promptly.
• Handle complaints or special requests with professionalism and escalate when necessary.
• Oversee table service, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistency.

Team Support and Leadership

• Train, mentor, and support waitstaff in service standards and operational procedures.
• Monitor performance and provide constructive feedback to the team.
• Ensure the dining area, including tables and service stations, is clean, organized, and well-stocked.
• Collaborate with the kitchen team to ensure seamless communication and delivery of orders.

Service Excellence

• Uphold and enforce service steps to ensure a smooth and cohesive guest journey.
• Monitor service flow and identify opportunities for improvement to enhance efficiency.
• Act as a resource for the team, addressing questions, resolving issues, and ensuring smooth communication between kitchen and front-of-house teams.
• Participate in pre-shift meetings to communicate specials, menu changes, or service updates.
• Maintain records of guest preferences for personalized service.

Operational Oversight and Continuous Improvement

• Conduct regular walkthroughs to ensure cleanliness, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of all areas.
• Ensure all health and safety, food hygiene, and licensing standards are upheld at all times.
• Knowledge of food, wine, and beverage service standards.

WHAT ARE YOU LIKE?

The ideal candidate will possess:

Creative Vision and Passion

• A true love for hospitality innovation and a drive to make a lasting impact on an exciting, new addition to London’s culinary scene. You’ll thrive on opportunities to leave your creative mark.

Guest First Mentality:

• A relentless commitment to delivering impeccable service, maintaining the highest standards for product quality and service. Detail-oriented, with an uncompromising focus on every guest.

People Centric Leadership:

• A strong belief that caring for the team comes first. You’ll cultivate an environment where individuals feel supported, empowered, and inspired to excel.

Inspiring and Humble Leadership:

• A hands-on leader who motivates through example, creating lasting connections within the team and instilling a sense of pride and purpose in daily operations.

Eagerness for Complexity:

• A readiness to embrace the challenges of a multifaceted, start-up environment with enthusiasm and perseverance. You’ll thrive on solving problems and driving innovation.

Collaboration with Senior Leadership:

• Enthusiasm for working closely with an experienced leadership team and the Founders to shape the restaurant’s identity and direction.

Organizational Mastery:

• Exceptional organizational skills, capable of implementing systems and processes that ensure smooth operations and long-term consistency, even in your absence.

Ambition and Vision:

• A drive not only to grow within the business but to actively shape its future, contributing to its evolution and success.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Be Part of Something Special:

Join an ambitious, highly experienced senior team at the ground level of an exciting new venture, taking a pivotal role in shaping its success and long-term culture.

• Shape the Future Culture:

Help create a modern, forward-thinking, and people-focused workplace that values innovation, collaboration, and individuality from day one.

• Unlock Career Progression:

Grow with the business as it expands, benefiting from a variety of career advancement opportunities tailored to your aspirations and achievements.

• Rewarding Compensation:

Enjoy a competitive salary package that recognizes your skills, experience, and contributions, complemented by sales incentives and performance-based bonuses to reward your impact.

• Generous Time Off:

Recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance with 28 days of holiday (inclusive of bank holidays).

• Employee Benefits:

Access an array of perks to support your well-being and enjoyment of the role, including:

• Free meals during shifts and discounts for your rest days.
• Dedicated training programs focused on personal and professional growth.
• A colleague recognition and awards program featuring generous prizes.
• A special birthday gift to celebrate your big day.
• A “refer a friend” bonus scheme to reward you for bringing great talent to the team.
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Celebrate your career anniversaries with us, complementary meal for you and a friend after each year of service.