How to Train a Host: A Guide for UK Restaurant Teams

In the fast-paced world of UK hospitality, your host is more than just the first face your guests see — they’re the glue holding the front-of-house together. A confident, well-trained host keeps service smooth, guests happy, and operations humming.

Still, in many British restaurants, host training gets overlooked. The result? Slower table turns, more guest complaints, and underprepared staff who feel out of their depth.

Why Host Training Can’t Be an Afterthought

According to Toast’s UK Consumer Preferences Survey (2025), in which 200 hospitality workers in the UK were polled about restaurant HR, staffing and training in hospitality,27.5% of UK diners say hosts and hostesses benefit the most from structured training — more than any other front-of-house role.

And it’s easy to see why. Hosts aren’t just greeters; they manage queues, handle last-minute bookings, and set the tone for the entire dining experience. With the right training, they can:

• Speed up table turns without making guests feel rushed

• Prevent issues before they escalate

• Drive repeat business with warmth and professionalism

• Become future supervisors or assistant managers

What UK Diners Want From Front-of-House Teams

Today’s guests expect more than just a smile and a clipboard. According to the sameConsumer Preferences Survey, 52.5% of respondents say a structured onboarding process is extremely valuable, and 73.5% prefer hands-on, on-the-job mentoring.

Consistency and clarity are key. Training needs to be practical, repeatable, and tailored to real-world scenarios — not just a quick walkthrough of the POS.

What Should a UK Host Training Programme Include?

Here’s what a comprehensive host training plan should cover — especially if you’re looking to improve service speed, boost reviews, or reduce staff churn:

• Warm and confident guest greetings: Set the tone early, especially during busy periods. At restaurants like Hawksmoor, hosts are trained to balance efficiency with a personal touch, greeting guests by name and creating a sense of occasion from the moment they walk in.

• Reservation and booking system fluency: Whether you’re using Toast, SevenRooms, or OpenTable, your host needs to own it.

• Allergy and menu knowledge: Hosts should know who to speak to when dietary questions come up — and handle them confidently. Queue and walk-in management: From managing waitlists to pacing tables, your host should think like an air traffic controller.

• Conflict resolution skills: When guests are unhappy, your host is your first line of defence. Upselling walk-ins or specials: A friendly recommendation can boost average spend.

• Cross-training with waitstaff: Builds empathy, teamwork, and flexibility on the floor.

Recommended Host Training Resources in the UK

While in-house training is essential, external courses can support professional development. Here are a few great UK options:

• Highfield Training – Short courses in food safety, customer service, and hospitality supervision.

• City & Guilds – Nationally recognised certifications for hospitality workers.

• SC Training – Mobile-friendly, free microlearning modules covering service basics and communication skills.

The Real Cost of Poor Onboarding

According to Toast’s UK Restaurant Trends Report, 78% of operators expect growth in 2025 — and their top concerns include boosting employee retention and productivity.

Yet 32% of hospitality staff have quit a role due to a poor onboarding experience. That’s a red flag. Effective onboarding isn’t just about training — it’s about setting clear expectations, building confidence early, and creating a path for progression.

What UK FOH Staff Say They’re Missing

We asked: what’s the most neglected part of host training? The top answers were:

• Conflict resolution under pressure

• Queue and waitlist management

• Managing last-minute booking changes

These are dealbreakers for guest experience — and often where your hosts will either sink or shine.

Tips for Hiring and Onboarding Great Hosts

1. Prioritise personality – You can train systems; you can’t train warmth.

2. Make shadowing part of day one – 46% of hospitality workers say learning by observation is most effective.

3. Set clear goals – 68% of staff say clarity in onboarding is “extremely important”.

4. Review and refresh quarterly – Hosts want to grow, and structured refreshers help them level up.

5. Map out a career path – 35.5% say they’d stay longer if they saw a path to promotion.

Your Hosts Matter More Than You Think

Let's be honest - your hosts are the heartbeat of your restaurant. They're the first smile your guests see, the calm voice during the Saturday night rush, and often the ones putting out fires before you even know there's smoke.

Invest in these frontline team members. Train them thoroughly, trust them with real responsibility, and show them a path to grow with you. The payoff? Glowing reviews, happier staff, and that beautiful sound of more tables turning throughout your shift.

Your hosts aren't just greeting guests - they're setting the tone for your entire operation. Make them great, and watch everything else follow.