How to become a maîtres d'hôtel and host or hostess
Official title: Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses
Also called: Maître d', Maître d'hôtel, Restaurant host/hostess, Dining room host/hostess, Host/hostess - food service, Chief host/hostess - food services, Host/hostess - restaurant or cocktail lounge
Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses greet patrons and escort them to tables, and supervise and coordinate the activities of food and beverage servers. They are employed in restaurants, hotel dining rooms, private clubs, cocktail lounges and similar establishments.
Main tasks
- Receive and record patrons' reservations and assign tables
- Greet patrons and escort them to tables or other seating areas
- Speak with patrons to ensure satisfaction with food and service, and attend to complaints
- Order dining room supplies and equipment
- Inspect dining and serving areas and equipment
- Supervise and coordinate activities of food and beverage servers and other serving staff
- Accept payment from patrons for food and beverages
- Maintain financial statements and records
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Several weeks of on-the-job training are usually required. Maîtres d'hôtel require experience as a formal or captain waiter/waitress or other food service experience.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $34,281 a year The middle half earn $31,200 to $40,950.
- About 54,500 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 60,100 are projected by 2033. (+10.3%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a maîtres d'hôtel and host or hostess?
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Several weeks of on-the-job training are usually required. Maîtres d'hôtel require experience as a formal or captain waiter/waitress or other food service experience.
How much does a maîtres d'hôtel and host or hostess earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $34,281 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $31,200 to $40,950.
Is a maîtres d'hôtel and host or hostess a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2033, from about 54,500 to about 60,100 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a maîtres d'hôtel and host or hostess?
Usually not. Only 6% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03