Host

About the role

The Market Café Host serves as the first point of contact for guests visiting the Bonton Farms Market Café. This position is responsible for creating a warm, welcoming, and organized guest experience by greeting customers, managing the seating and waiting process, assisting with reservations and guest inquiries, and supporting the overall flow of front-of-house operations. The Host represents Bonton Farms’ commitment to hospitality, community, and excellent service. This role requires a friendly and professional presence, strong communication skills, and the ability to remain attentive and organized in a fast-paced café environment.

Responsibilities

• Greet each guest promptly and warmly upon arrival.
• Create a welcoming environment that reflects Bonton Farms’ values of Courage, Love, Unity, and Excellence.
• Assist guests with seating, wait times, reservations, and general questions.
• Provide guests with accurate information about the Market Café, Bonton Farms, menu offerings, and onsite amenities.
• Thank guests as they leave and invite them to return.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to guests who may need additional assistance or accommodations.
• Manage the seating process to support an efficient and balanced flow of service.
• Maintain accurate information regarding available tables, reservations, and estimated wait times.
• Coordinate with servers, café leadership, and other front-of-house team members before seating guests.
• Keep the host area, entrance, waiting area, and menus clean, organized, and presentable.
• Monitor guest traffic and communicate changes in volume, wait times, or seating needs to café leadership.
• Assist with arranging tables and seating areas for large parties, special events, or accessibility needs.
• Answer incoming telephone calls professionally and direct questions or requests to the appropriate team member.
• Respond to guest questions with patience, professionalism, and accurate information.
• Communicate guest concerns or service issues promptly to café leadership.
• Assist with communicating menu availability, café hours, special events, and other relevant information.
• Help guests understand and connect with the mission and work of Bonton Farms.
• Assist servers and other front-of-house team members during busy service periods, as directed.
• Support table preparation by ensuring seating areas are clean, properly arranged, and ready for guests.
• Assist with distributing menus, providing water, clearing light items, or resetting tables when needed.
• Maintain an adequate supply of clean menus and other host-station materials.
• Help ensure walkways, entrances, and guest-facing areas remain clean, safe, and free from obstruction.
• Support café opening and closing procedures assigned to the host position.
• Work collaboratively with café, culinary, Coffee House, Farmers Market, and other Social Enterprise team members.
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with coworkers, apprentices, volunteers, community members, and guests.
• Participate in required meetings, training, and staff development activities.
• Support apprentices and program participants by modeling professionalism, hospitality, and strong workplace practices.
• Demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to assist in other guest-service areas when operationally necessary.
• Represent Bonton Farms positively and uphold its mission, values, policies, and service standards.
• Follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and guest-service procedures.
• Report spills, hazards, damaged equipment, or unsafe conditions immediately.
• Follow established procedures for emergencies, incidents, and guest concerns.
• Maintain professional appearance and hygiene standards consistent with café requirements.
• Comply with all Bonton Farms policies, procedures, and attendance expectations.

Qualifications

• Previous restaurant, hospitality, retail, or customer-service experience preferred.
• Friendly, professional, and service-oriented demeanor.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm, organized, and welcoming during busy service periods.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to guests and service flow.
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work effectively as part of a team.
• Basic comfort using reservation, point-of-sale, or telephone systems preferred.
• Willingness to learn about and communicate the mission of Bonton Farms.
• Commitment to serving guests and community members with dignity, patience, and