Tourism

To Become Host / Hostess (Greeting at entrance and seating guests) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook.

by Occupations.ca Team
11 min read

Have you ever walked into a busy Restaurant and immediately felt welcomed, calm, and taken care of? That first impression is the work of the Host / Hostess. If you enjoy people, stay cool under pressure, and like being in the heart of Ontario’s vibrant restaurant and Tourism scene, this front-of-house role could be a great fit for you.

Job Description

As a Host / Hostess in Ontario’s tourism and restaurant (TOURISM RESTO) sector, you are the face of the venue. You greet guests at the entrance, manage the waitlist and Reservations, and seat guests in a way that keeps service flowing smoothly. You work closely with servers, bartenders, bussers, and managers to ensure guests have a positive experience from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.

You will often use reservation and waitlist software, follow health and Safety rules, and communicate constantly with the kitchen and service teams. Depending on the business, you may also answer phones, handle takeout orders, and assist with simple administrative tasks like printing menus or checking event bookings.

Daily Work Activities

  • Greet guests warmly and make them feel welcome.
  • Manage reservations, call-ahead lists, and walk-in guests.
  • Estimate wait times and explain them clearly to customers.
  • Seat guests using a seating chart or rotation system to balance Server sections.
  • Coordinate with servers and the kitchen on table readiness and special requests.
  • Answer phones and respond to emails or online reservation requests.
  • Handle takeout and Delivery pickups, if the restaurant offers them.
  • Keep the entrance, host stand, menus, and front-of-house areas neat and accessible.
  • Support accessibility needs (mobility devices, service animals, seating preferences).
  • Follow safety and hygiene procedures (clean menus, sanitize host station).
  • Troubleshoot guest concerns and escalate issues to a supervisor when needed.
  • Assist with closing tasks (updating reservation Books, resetting the dining room).

Main Tasks (at a glance)

  • Welcome and seat guests.
  • Maintain accurate waitlists and reservations.
  • Communicate table status and turnover times.
  • Coordinate with servers and bussers for smooth flow.
  • Answer guest questions about menus, hours, allergies, and accessibility.
  • Use point-of-sale (POS) and reservation tools (e.g., OpenTable, SevenRooms, Resy).
  • Follow Ontario health and safety standards and employer policies.
  • Support special events, large parties, and VIP bookings.

Required Education

You do not need a university degree to become a Host / Hostess in Ontario. Many employers hire for attitude, communication skills, and reliability, and train you on the job. That said, certain Training and credentials will help you stand out and advance.

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Diplomas and Credentials

  • High school diploma (recommended).
  • Certificate (1 day to a few weeks):
    • Smart Serve (if you will handle or be near alcohol service) — required by many licensed establishments in Ontario.
    • Food Handler Certification (useful for food safety awareness).
    • AODA Customer Service training (often required by employers to meet accessibility law).
    • Workplace health and safety awareness.
  • College Diploma (1–2 years):
  • Bachelor’s Degree (4 years, optional for advancement):
    • Hospitality and Tourism Management (for future roles such as supervisor, maître d’, or manager).

Length of Studies

  • Smart Serve: typically completed online in one day.
  • Food Handler Certification: often a 6–8 hour course plus an exam.
  • College Certificate: 8–12 months.
  • College Diploma: 2 years.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality/Tourism: 4 years.

Where to Study? (Ontario options and useful links)

Essential certifications:

Ontario college and university pathways (hospitality programs):

Tip: Even if you start as a Host / Hostess, these programs can prepare you for supervisory roles, event Coordination, or hotel operations down the road.

Salary and Working Conditions

Pay in Ontario

  • Entry-level hourly wage: typically around Ontario’s general minimum wage to a modest premium. As of October 1, 2024, Ontario’s general minimum wage is $17.20 per hour. Many new hosts start at or slightly above this rate, depending on the city and venue type. Source: Minimum wage (Government of Ontario): https://www.ontario.ca/page/minimum-wage
  • Experienced hourly wage: approximately $18–$22 per hour in many parts of Ontario; premium venues in Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara, Muskoka, and resort towns may pay up to $23–$25 per hour.
  • Tips: Some restaurants include hosts in a tip pool (“tip-out”). Policies vary by employer and should be provided in writing. Learn about Ontario rules for tips and gratuities: https://www.ontario.ca/document/guide-employment-standards-act-0/tips-and-gratuities

Your total pay may include:

  • Hourly wage.
  • A share of tips (if the employer has a tip pool).
  • Vacation pay (at least 4% of gross wages if you have under 5 years of employment).
  • Statutory holiday pay and public holiday rules (varies by eligibility).
  • Possible perks: staff meals or discounts, transit subsidy (rare), uniforms.
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Working Conditions

  • Schedule: evenings, weekends, and holidays are common. Split shifts can happen in high-traffic areas (e.g., lunch and dinner rush).
  • Pace: fast during peak hours; you’ll be on your feet most of the shift.
  • Dress code: professional dress or uniform; neat grooming; comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
  • Environment: restaurants, hotel dining rooms, wineries, resorts, casinos, or event venues.
  • Health & Safety: follow your employer’s health and safety policies. See Ontario’s guide to hours of work and breaks: https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/hours-work
  • Accessibility: you must know how to serve customers with disabilities in line with AODA requirements (customer service standard): https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-train-your-staff-accessibility

Job Outlook in Ontario

Ontario’s restaurant and tourism sector continues to be active, with steady need for reliable front-of-house staff. Demand is strongest in major cities (Toronto, Ottawa), tourism hubs (Niagara, Muskoka), and areas with strong event and festival seasons. Turnover is common in entry-level roles, so opportunities often open up.

Employers increasingly value tech confidence (reservation/waitlist systems), customer service training, and reliability—traits that can help you secure shifts quickly and move into supervisory roles.

Key Skills

Soft Skills

  • Communication: clear, friendly, and professional in person and on the phone.
  • Customer service: you set the tone; you anticipate needs and follow through.
  • Composure: staying calm and kind under pressure, especially with long waits.
  • Teamwork: coordinating with servers, bussers, and kitchen staff.
  • Problem-solving: seating conflicts, special needs, and last-minute changes.
  • Time management: juggling walk-ins, reservations, and takeout pickups.
  • Cultural awareness: welcoming guests from diverse backgrounds, including tourists.
  • Attention to detail: special occasions, allergies, highchairs, accessible seating.

Hard Skills

  • Reservation and waitlist tools: OpenTable, SevenRooms, Resy, Yelp Waitlist, or in-house systems.
  • POS basics: ringing in deposits for large parties, printing reports, or checking hold times.
  • AODA customer service standards: providing accessible service to people with disabilities.
  • Smart Serve (if near or involved in alcohol service).
  • Food safety awareness (Food Handler Certification improves your credibility).
  • Cash/credit handling basics (for deposits or takeout pickups, where applicable).
  • Phone and email etiquette; professional writing for confirmations.
  • Basic data entry and reporting: reservation notes, seating charts, table turns.

Tip: Even if not required, completing Smart Serve and Food Handler Certification can make you a more attractive candidate in Ontario.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Quick entry: many employers hire with minimal experience.
  • Strong people skills: daily practice in communication and service.
  • Flexible hours: can fit around school or other commitments.
  • Career ladder: opportunities to become lead host, maître d’, event coordinator, server, supervisor, or front-of-house manager.
  • Networking: meet industry professionals and regular guests; great for future opportunities.
  • Tips and perks: potential tip-outs and staff discounts.

Disadvantages

  • Peak-hour stress: managing long waits and high guest expectations.
  • Schedule: evenings, weekends, and holidays are standard.
  • Standing for long periods: physically demanding; may require supportive footwear.
  • Pay ceiling: hourly rates are modest; advancement helps increase earnings.
  • Seasonality: hours can drop in off-peak seasons in tourism-heavy areas.
  • Dealing with conflict: you handle complaints and sometimes difficult conversations.

Expert Opinion

If you’re starting out in Ontario’s TOURISM RESTO sector, hosting is one of the best ways to learn the business from the front door. You will quickly master the flow of service, guest expectations, and the “language” of the dining room. To get hired faster in Ontario:

  • Complete Smart Serve and AODA customer service training. Even if you don’t serve alcohol, many licensed venues prefer hosts with Smart Serve to flex during busy shifts.
  • Learn a reservation tool (OpenTable, SevenRooms, or Resy). Free tutorials and demos online will help you speak confidently in interviews.
  • Practice clear, concise phone etiquette. Many venues test this in your interview.
  • Show reliability: in hospitality, being on time and ready to work is gold.
  • Ask about tip pooling and training during your interview. A workplace that invests in training will help you grow.
  • Consider bilingual skills (English–French). In Ottawa, parts of the GTA, and tourism hubs, this is a strong advantage.
  • Think ahead: if you want to move into Leadership, explore a 1–2 year college diploma in Hospitality or a degree later. Managers often start in front-of-house roles like hosting.
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Remember: Ontario employers follow strict rules regarding tips, wages, breaks, and safety. Know your rights and responsibilities so you can focus on great service:

FAQ

Do I need Smart Serve as a Host / Hostess if I don’t serve alcohol?

In Ontario, you must have Smart Serve if you serve or handle alcohol. Many licensed restaurants still require or prefer hosts to have Smart Serve because hosts may support alcohol service (for example, serving water while a server brings Wine, or working near the bar). Having it can make Scheduling easier and improves your job prospects. Details: https://smartserve.ca

Can high school students work as hosts in restaurants that serve alcohol?

Yes, many can. In Ontario, the minimum age to work in a restaurant is generally 14 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (with some restrictions by workplace type). You must be 18 to serve alcohol, but minors can work in licensed dining areas in roles that don’t involve alcohol service. Always confirm with the employer and review Ontario’s minimum age requirements: https://www.ontario.ca/document/guide-occupational-health-and-safety-act/minimum-age-requirements. For alcohol-related rules, check the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO): https://www.agco.ca/alcohol

Are hosts in Ontario included in tip pools? How does that work?

It depends on the employer. Many Ontario restaurants include hosts in a tip-out pool because hosts help create the guest experience. Employers must have a clear, written policy for collecting and sharing tips, and they generally cannot keep your tips. Learn more about Ontario rules: https://www.ontario.ca/document/guide-employment-standards-act-0/tips-and-gratuities. During your interview, politely ask how tip pooling works and how it’s calculated.

What software should I learn to stand out when applying in Ontario?

Focus on widely used tools: OpenTable, SevenRooms, Resy, and sometimes Yelp Waitlist. Get comfortable with:

  • Creating and modifying reservations.
  • Adding notes (allergies, celebrations, accessibility needs).
  • Assigning tables and tracking table turns.
  • Managing waitlists and quoting accurate wait times.
    Basic familiarity with a POS system (e.g., TouchBistro, Square, Lightspeed) is also helpful for takeout pickups or deposits.

What’s the best path to move from Host / Hostess to management in Ontario?

  • Start strong: be reliable, learn the menu and reservation system, and ask for feedback.
  • Add credentials: Smart Serve, Food Handler, and AODA training first; then consider a 1–2 year Hospitality college diploma.
  • Cross-train: learn to run the floor, support servers, and coordinate large parties.
  • Seek mentorship: ask a supervisor or maître d’ for growth steps (lead host, shift supervisor).
  • Continue your education if you plan to manage: explore degrees at Toronto Metropolitan University or University of Guelph for long-term leadership roles.

With the right attitude, training, and consistency, hosting can be your launchpad into a rewarding career in Ontario’s dynamic TOURISM RESTO sector.

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