The career of a maitre d’hotel is one of the most fascinating and interactive of all the food service management careers. It is also believed to be one of the few positions that can be financially rewarding without one having a university degree.

Who is a Maitre d’Hotel?

A Maitre d’Hotel, often shortened as Maitre d’, is the headwaiter of a dining establishment, responsible for ensuring that the link between kitchen and dining area runs efficiently. A highly trained Maitre d’ is a food service professional who can act as a sommelier, offer tableside finishing of food, keep waiters and waitresses organised and effectively handle customer complaints and issues. The Maitre d’ has the task of creating a positive and welcoming impression for guests while deciding where on the restaurant floor to seat them.

How does become a Maitre d’?

Take it from O’neil Brooks, Maitre d’ at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston; on-the-job training is still the most effective way to learn the skills of a maitre d’. It is wise to work at a fine-dining establishment as a back waiter, server, or bartender to gain the knowledge and experience needed to run a fine dining restaurant. Observe and take notes on the day-to-day operations.

However, Brooks also suggested that in this day and age, for someone to be a qualified Maitre d’, the proper educational steps have to be taken. Secondary education is a must with CSEC passes in mathematics, English and food and nutrition. It is also highly recommended that one has a tertiary level education in the field of Hospitality and Tourism management with a specialisation in food and beverage.

Becoming a Maitre d’ does not happen over night, it takes years of training. “It takes years,” Brooks says. “I started as a waiter in 1995 at the Pegasus and after years, my superiors say the work that I have done and believed that I was qualified to be placed in the position. That didn’t come until 2001; I’ve been the maitre d’ here since,” Brooks expressed.

As an aspiring Maitre d’, it is highly recommended that one observe the kitchen and the food preparations in the establishment they work in – the bar and the inventory it carries, and the way the dining room is set up. Watch and assist as the maitre d’ as he or she performs their tasks. Practice your customer service skills while seeking employment. Persons will often choose a restaurant based on the personality and familiarity of a professional maitre d’ who knows exactly what they want upon their arrival. As a waiter or bartender, it is easy to practice meeting and greeting guests, remembering what specific guests like and dislike, and anticipating every request. The definitive skill is to greet repeat guests by their names.