Host

About the Role

As the first and last point of contact for our guests, SEMM Hosts set the tone for the entire experience — moving fluidly between the calm ritual of a morning tea service and the buzzing energy of an evening wine and sool lounge. We're looking for warm, attentive, and composed individuals who take pride in creating a seamless, thoughtful welcome for every guest who walks through our doors.

Responsibilities

- Greet all guests entering SEMM and thank all guests as they leave

- Manage the reservation system (Resy) and ensure timely, well-paced seating

- Accommodate walk-in guests whenever possible

- Communicate delays or waits to guests clearly and with warmth

- Maintain an organized floor, seating guests efficiently according to SEMM standards

- Understand the day-to-night flow of the space and adjust hosting style accordingly — tea house calm in the morning, lounge energy at night

- Maintain professional, welcoming guest communication in person, by phone, and by email

- Recognize regulars, industry contacts, and VIP guests, following SEMM protocol for their visit

- Communicate clearly and respectfully with the service team and management

- Support teammates in completing their duties to ensure guest satisfaction before, during, and after service

- Escalate any guest issue or complaint to management

- Maintain cleanliness and organization at the host stand and front entrance

- Adhere to SEMM's cleaning and sanitation SOPs

- Have working knowledge of the tea, coffee, wine, sool, and small plates offerings to answer initial guest questions

- Adhere to grooming and dress code standards

- Assist with additional service and operational tasks as needed

Required Qualifications

- A positive, enthusiastic attitude and a genuine desire to learn and grow

- Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills

- Ability to remain calm under pressure and resolve guest concerns gracefully

- Openness to feedback and coaching, with the ability to apply it constructively

- Ability to stand/walk for long periods

- Quick thinking and adaptability in a fast-changing environment

Preferred Qualifications

- 1+ years of Host, Lead Host, or Maître D' experience in an upscale, high-volume restaurant

- Proficiency with the Resy reservation system

- Experience learning seating charts and escorting guests to tables

- Ability to run the host stand with leadership support, directing other hosts

- Ability to train new hosts in all aspects of the role

- A genuine interest in tea, coffee, natural wine, or Korean food and culture is a plus

Physical Demands

This role requires seeing, hearing, speaking, reaching, frequently lifting up to 25 lbs, occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs, and standing/sitting for 4–8 hours with intermittent bending and movement during working hours. These requirements may be met with or without reasonable accommodation.

SEMM reserves the right to modify duties and responsibilities at its discretion. This description reflects the general nature of the role and is not intended to be all-inclusive.

SEMM is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status.