Early Restaurant Waitress jobs in London

Mariage Frères | Covent Garden Flagship Store Tea Emporium

Full-Time | Covent Garden, London

Founded in Paris in 1854, Mariage Frères is one of the world's most prestigious luxury tea houses, renowned for its exceptional teas, refined hospitality and unique guest experience.

We are currently seeking a passionate, motivated and service-driven Senior Waiter/Waitress – Floor & Guest Experience Coordinator to join our team at our iconic Covent Garden Flagship Store.

Home to the world's largest tea wall, our iconic Covent Garden flagship is a unique Tea Emporium combining luxury retail, a renowned tearoom and restaurant, takeaway service, terrace and private event spaces. Welcoming guests from around the world every day, it offers a truly distinctive hospitality experience in the heart of London.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced hospitality professional looking to take the next step in their career and play an important role in the continued development of our hospitality operation.

The Role

This is a hands-on role combining exceptional table service with floor coordination, guest experience leadership and team support responsibilities.

The successful candidate will remain actively involved in service while helping coordinate daily operations, support colleagues, oversee guest flow and contribute to maintaining the highest hospitality standards throughout the flagship store.

Working closely with management, you will help ensure smooth service, support the development of the team and contribute to the continued growth of the business.

In addition to restaurant service, you will support guest hosting, reservations, terrace operations, takeaway service and the overall smooth running of our Tea Emporium.

Key Responsibilities

Restaurant & Tea Room Service

• Deliver professional, attentive and personalised table service.
• Ensure guests receive an exceptional dining and tea experience from arrival to departure.
• Take food and beverage orders accurately and confidently.
• Serve food, teas and beverages according to company standards.
• Manage your section efficiently while maintaining the highest service standards.
• Ensure smooth communication between front-of-house and kitchen teams.
• Anticipate guest needs and resolve issues professionally.

Guest Experience & Hosting

• Welcome guests warmly and professionally.
• Support reservation management and guest flow throughout the restaurant, terrace and Tea Emporium.
• Assist with seating guests and managing waiting lists when required.
• Ensure every guest receives a memorable and personalised experience.
• Act as a true ambassador for the Mariage Frères brand and values.
• Support private events and special guest experiences when required.

Floor Coordination & Team Support

• Lead by example through exceptional service and professionalism.
• Act as a senior member of the front-of-house team during service.
• Support and guide colleagues throughout the shift.
• Help coordinate service flow throughout the restaurant, terrace, takeaway operation and Tea Emporium.
• Support training and onboarding of new team members.
• Assist management in maintaining service standards and operational excellence.
• Escalate operational or guest issues appropriately when required.
• Contribute to maintaining a positive, motivated and high-performing team culture.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness, organisation and presentation.
• Ensure all guest-facing areas reflect the luxury standards of the brand.
• Support opening and closing procedures.
• Follow company procedures and health & safety requirements.
• Demonstrate initiative and actively contribute to the success and development of the business.

About You

You are:

• Passionate about hospitality and guest experience.
• Professional, confident and exceptionally well-presented.
• Comfortable engaging with an international and culturally diverse clientele.
• Positive, energetic and solution-oriented.
• Proactive and able to take initiative without waiting to be asked.
• Calm under pressure and able to lead by example.
• Flexible, adaptable and supportive of colleagues.
• Motivated to develop your career within a luxury hospitality environment.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Previous experience as a waiter, waitress or hospitality professional.
• Experience working in a busy restaurant, hotel, premium hospitality or luxury environment.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Outstanding customer service and communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to lead by example and support colleagues during service.
• Right to work in the United Kingdom.

Highly Desirable

• Previous experience in a senior waiter/waitress, floor coordinator or shift leader role.
• Experience as a host or hostess.
• Experience managing terraces or outdoor dining areas.
• Experience with reservations systems.
• Experience with takeaway operations.
• Experience with cocktails, bar service or beverage preparation.
• Knowledge of tea, gastronomy or premium food and beverage.
• Additional language skills.
• French language skills would be a strong advantage.
• Previous experience supporting training and development of team members.

Availability & Flexibility

• Full-time position.
• Flexibility to work Monday to Sunday according to business needs.
• Flexibility to work weekends, bank holidays, early shifts and late shifts.
• Working schedules and operating hours may evolve according to business requirements, seasonal demand, private events and future business development.
• Successful candidates must be fully flexible and willing to support the needs of the business as required.

Benefits

• Food and travel allowance.
• Private medical and dental insurance following successful completion of probation.
• Company pension scheme.
• Uniform provided, including dry-cleaning service.
• Employee discounts across our outlets.
• Benefits and discount programme.
• 20 days annual leave plus 8 Bank Holidays.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Career progression opportunities within an internationally recognised luxury brand.

Join Mariage Frères

If you are passionate about hospitality, enjoy leading by example and would like to contribute to the success of one of the world's most celebrated tea houses, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Store discount

Language:

• English (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person