Experienced Waiters | Smoking Lobster Group (Cowes & Ventnor)

Job Posted: 28 May 2026

• Contract Term: Seasonal
• Location: Cowes, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Full or part time
• Salary: Dependent on Experience
• Industries: Catering, Hospitality & Bar

Work at the Island’s best restaurant group! Smoking Lobster is a family-run, Pan-Asian fusion restaurant group, with a focus on small-plates, exciting cocktails, a vibrant dining experience and celebrating local produce from the Isle of Wight. 

About Us 

Smoking Lobster is focussed on delivering an elevated style of service and hospitality in a professional, laid-back environment. Heavily influenced by a mix of Eastern Asian cuisine, Smoking Lobster is a contemporary choice for diners who wish to fully immerse themselves in an experience which focusses on contemporary food, exciting beverages and a vibrant, relaxed atmosphere. 

The Role

We are seeking confident, professional servers to join our front of house team. Experience is greatly desired but not essential, however, we expect candidates to strive for learning about our culture, standards & products.

This is not standard restaurant service - we deliver an elevated style of service with serious attention to detail. We have a relaxed atmosphere, where the team can demonstrate their personality through our hospitality. You would have the creative freedom to elevate your hospitality above and beyond our benchmark. 

We have a fun, mature & dynamic team of professionals where hospitality is more than just a job, it is their passion. Does this sound like you?

Confidence in guiding our guests through the concept & products that we offer with passion & understanding is essential, as we put a big focus on the attention to detail we put into each plate & drink. 

What We Are Looking For

Smoking Lobster is a year-round business, seeking seasonal Front of House Staff for the upcoming Summer season, with the view to more hours during off-peak months for the successful candidate/s. For this role, there are multiple vacancies. 

• Fun, professional & laid-back personalities
• Scrupulous attention to detail in all aspects of products & service
• Previous hospitality experience is desirable
• Confident, natural communicators
• Confidence in delivering a technical specification of products
• Sense of pace & organisation during peak times & busy services

• Positive energy & strong team ethic
• Flexibility & availability predominantly for weekends & evenings
• Flexibility in working between two Island venues

What You’ll Be Doing

• Delivering a professional, elevated but relaxed style of service & exceptional hospitality
• Guiding guests through our menu, produce, preparation & concept
• Hosting families, corporate clients, UHNW individuals, groups, parties & events
• Maintaining the highest standards of presentation & cleanliness
• Being accountable for your own section of the restaurant floor
• Supporting the wider team during busy & peak periods
• Representing the restaurant group as an ambassador for our brand culture
• Be flexible in your role & responsibilities
• Reporting to those managing you, support those beside you and guide those under you

What We are Offering

• Flexible, zero-hour contract
• Competitive rate of pay + tronc, with a structured, tiered tronc system for those going above and beyond
• Staff discount of 20% when you dine with us
• On-shift discount of 50% on food
• Extended breaks & split-shifts
• Ability to set availability requests in our dedicated staff rota platform
• A strong, supporting team environment with a focus on growth & nurturing
• Measurable growth potential in your role
• Opportunity to undertake formal training & qualifications, such as WSET Level 1 & 2, Food Safety & Hygiene, First Aid

Hours

We are offering a flexible, zero hour contract with the expectation to work split shifts of 6 hours

Tronc

We operate a transparent tronc system, meaning all tips are distributed fairly across the team based on hours worked and role. The tronc is managed independently and paid in addition to your hourly rate on a monthly basis, rewarding the whole team for delivering a consistently high standard of food and service. It ensures everyone contributes to, and benefits from, a busy and successful service. 

Your hourly rate of pay comprises your National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage plus tronc. All service charge is distributed via the tronc system in accordance with the Company’s tronc policy.

To Apply

Please read the full role description detailed above, and attach your CV, with a short cover note on why you are a good fit to join Smoking Lobster Group.