Join one of America's most award-winning restaurants, The Inn at Little Washington. Located in the beautiful Virginia countryside just 67 miles west of Washington DC, The Inn at Little Washington is a culinary oasis akin to visiting a Michelin-starred restaurant in the European countryside. Established in 1978, The Inn is a member of Relais & Chateaux. The Inn at Little Washington’s most recent awards include:
- 3 Michelin Stars – the first and only three star restaurant in The Nation’s Capital
- La Liste, a French-based guide to the world’s best restaurants, ranked The Inn #3 in the U.S. and #5 in the world
- Forbes 5-Star award for the restaurant – 28 years in a row, and one of only 40 restaurants in the US awarded 5-StarsForbes 5-Star award for lodging – 29 years in a row
- AAA 5-Diamond award for the restaurant – 30 years in a row, making The Inn the longest-tenured restaurant in the history of the program
- AAA 5-Diamond award for lodging – 29 years in a row
- The Washington Post’s Fall Dining Guide for 2018 honored The Inn by inducting the restaurant into its inaugural “D.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame”
- The Washington Post's Fall Dining Guide for 2017 named The Inn the #1 restaurant
- Wine Spectator Grand Award – 23 years in a row, the only restaurant so recognized in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia
- Chef and Proprietor Patrick O’Connell was knighted as a disciple of Auguste Escoffier, “the King of Chefs and the Chef of Kings.”
**The Inn at Little Washington is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws*
SUMMARY
Responsible for the service of Bar and Living Room in accordance with restaurant and hotel standards. Accountable for all facets of Bar and Living Room including, but not limited to, bar setup and breakdown, cocktail knowledge, wine knowledge, food knowledge, cocktail production, cocktail service, sanitizing and resetting the Bar and Living room, nightly reporting, cash handling, walking food, and general bar maintenance. Ensure all Forbes standards are adhered to. Help to create and advance the Inn’s cocktail program. Communicate any updates to all bar menus including bar wines by the glass menu. Participate in daily line up meetings when needed. Engage guests and assist in beverage sales in restaurant, lounge, and bar. Assist management team in actively servicing guests. Help to direct dining room staff on beverage service according to Inn’s specifications courteously and efficiently.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Maintain complete knowledge of:
- All Forbes and Inn’s standards; including all aspects of guest service delivery – especially timing of service delivery.
- The characteristics and description of each wine and champagne by the glass on the bar wine list.
- Designated glassware for each cocktail.
- Industry trends and competition.
- 86’d liquor.
- Dining Room, Living Room, and Bar layout; table/seat/station numbers, proper table set-ups, room capacity, hours of operation, price range, and dress code.
- Daily house count, arrivals/departures, VIPs.
- Scheduled in-house group activities, locations, and times.
- Correct maintenance and use of equipment.
- All department policies/service procedures.
- All menu selections available in all outlets.
- Daily/weekly management of missed punches, punch edits, and weekly gratuity management per IALW policy and Virginia law.
- IALW handbook-compliance and adherence to IALW policies.
- See that scheduled inventories are both timely and accurately performed.
- Attend all pre-shift meetings while on property.
- Continuously monitor Bar & Living Room staff performance in all phases of service and job functions; ensuring that all procedures are carried out to department standards.
- Be familiar with all resort services/features and local attractions and activities to respond accurately to any guest inquiry.
- Monitor guest reactions and confer frequently with service staff to ensure guest satisfaction.
- Work as bartender; actively sell beverage to guests and enhance the overall dining experience for the guests.
- Help to implement creative liquor program that includes a focus on both classic and current creation cocktails that can be made and served within Forbes/Chef’s time standards.
- Communicate all 86’d liquors/beer to staff daily.
- Maintain complete knowledge and strictly abide by state liquor regulations; particularly those prohibiting service to minors, intoxicated persons, and drunk driving.
- Monitor the preparation of station assignments; ensuring compliance to departmental standards.
- Ensure the inspection and planning of materials and equipment for readiness of service.
- Ensure the inspection of table set-ups; check for cleanliness, neatness, and agreement to departmental standards.
- Inspect all aspects of the bar/lounge environment ensuring compliance with standards of cleanliness and order
- Ensure that the service stations are clean, organized, and stocked with designated supplies.
- Monitor that all service staff are greeting and escorting guests to their tables according to departmental procedures. Ensure that tables are seated to best service the guests.
- Monitor and maintain cleanliness and working condition of departmental equipment, supplies and work areas.
- Assist Restaurant & Lounge staff with their job functions to ensure optimum service to guests.
- Attend designated meetings, menu tastings, and beverage tastings.
- Help to complete scheduled inventories when necessary.
- Participate in and support hotel and company efforts towards sustainability and environmental initiatives.
Perform other duties as directed, developed, or assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential:
- High School graduate
- Minimum 21 years of age to serve alcoholic beverages
- Experience as a bartender and/or cocktail server
- Ability to satisfactorily communicate in English with guests, management, and co-workers to their understanding
Desirable:
- High school graduate, some college
- Certification of previous training in liquor, wine and food service.
- Any previous Culinary training.
- Certification in alcohol awareness program.
- Knowledge of Computerized P.O.S. systems.
- Previous guest relations training.
SKILLS
Essential:
- Ability to satisfactorily communicate in English with guests, management, and co-workers to their understanding in person and by telephone.
- Ability to provide legible communication.
- Ability to compute basic mathematical calculations.
- Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs.
- Ability to stand and walk for up to 10 hours.
- Ability to think clearly and remain calm under pressure, making sound and logical decisions quickly.
- Ability to enforce IALW standards, policies, and procedures with Bar staff.
- Ability to prioritize and organize service requirements at all tables in assigned station.
- Ability to be a clear thinker, analyze, and resolve problems while exercising good judgment.
- Ability to focus on attention to details.
- Ability to suggestively sell menu items, beverages, and wines.
- Ability to input and access information in POS system.
- Ability to exert physical effort in transporting equipment and wares.
- Ability to endure abundant physical movements in carrying out job duties.
- Ability to ensure security and confidentiality of guest and hotel information.
- Ability to anticipate and interpret guests’ service needs.
- Ability to perform job functions with minimal supervision.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
- Knowledge of the local geographic area, competitors, and business trends.
- Knowledge of destination, activities, food & beverage, and spa.
- Knowledge of gourmet food and beverage background, knowledge of (high-end) industry publications, and customer service skills
- Ability to work flexible schedule, to include weekend and evenings as needed for the benefit of departmental coverage.
- Bilingual: English and Spanish.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Frequent need to perform the following physical activities: reaching, bending, pushing, pulling, twisting, lifting, and climbing.
- Constant need to perform the following physical activities: grasping, turning, finger dexterity.
- Frequent need to stand for long periods of time.
- Lifting/carrying up to 30 lbs. frequently and 50 lbs. occasionally.
- Vision requirements: Frequently need to see small details and things clearly beyond arms’ reach.
- Respond to general public and converse with staff. Ability to hear fire alarms and emergency equipment.
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