Restaurant jobs in Basingstoke

The Ship, Bishops Sutton, Hampshire

About The Ship

The Ship is a country pub with a serious approach to food and hospitality. Situated in Bishops Sutton, near Alresford, we combine the warmth and character of a traditional pub with thoughtful, ambitious cooking, recognised with two AA Rosettes in our first year.

Led by Head Chef Ollie Moore, our kitchen focuses on seasonal ingredients, local suppliers and creative cooking. Alongside this, we offer a carefully considered wine list, with a focus on organic, biodynamic and natural wines, and a drinks offering that champions quality and provenance.

We believe great hospitality is about getting the details right, making people feel at home and creating an experience that gives guests a reason to return.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and confident Senior Front of House professional to join our team. This is an important role within the business, working closely with the team to lead service, support the wider front-of-house team and ensure consistently high standards across every aspect of the guest experience.

You'll be hands-on, leading by example and confident taking responsibility for a busy service. You'll understand the balance between polished, attentive restaurant service and the warmth and informality of a great pub. We are looking for someone who takes genuine pride in hospitality, has excellent attention to detail and enjoys being part of a team that is passionate about what it does.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading front-of-house service and ensuring consistently high standards of hospitality.
• Welcoming guests, overseeing bookings and ensuring every visit feels considered and personal.
• Supporting and motivating the wider team, helping to develop confidence and knowledge.
• Working closely with the kitchen to ensure smooth, well-paced service and clear communication.
• Developing a strong knowledge of our seasonal menus, wines and drinks, and confidently communicating these to guests.
• Taking responsibility for opening and closing procedures, cash handling, stock control and daily operations.
• Handling guest feedback and enquiries professionally and confidently.
• Maintaining excellent standards of presentation, cleanliness and organisation throughout the restaurant and bar.

About You

• You have solid experience in a senior front-of-house role, ideally within a quality restaurant, gastropub or independent hospitality business.
• You understand what exceptional service looks like and have the confidence to lead a team through a busy service.
• You have a genuine interest in food, wine and hospitality, with the enthusiasm to develop your knowledge further.
• You're organised, proactive and comfortable taking responsibility.
• You have a natural ability to make guests feel welcome, whether they're joining us for a special occasion or simply popping in for a drink.
• You're a positive team player who leads by example and takes pride in the standards you deliver.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary, reflective of experience.
• The opportunity to work within an ambitious, independently run pub recognised with two AA Rosettes.
• A supportive team environment where quality, creativity and good hospitality matter.
• Opportunities for further training and development.
• Staff food and discounts.
• The opportunity to play an important part in the continued development of The Ship.

To Apply

If you're an experienced hospitality professional who takes pride in delivering excellent service and wants to be part of a business with real ambition, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a short introduction to hello@the-ship.co.uk.

Pay: £13.00-£15.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 45.0 per week

Ability to commute/relocate:

• New Alresford SO24: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Experience:

• Hospitality: 3 years (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (preferred)

Work Location: In person