head waiter

The maître d'hôtel, head waiter, host, waiter captain, or maître d' manages the public part, or "front of the house", of a formal restaurant. The responsibilities of a maître d'hôtel generally include supervising the waiting staff, welcoming guests and assigning tables to them, taking reservations, and ensuring that guests are satisfied. Other roles include supervising wine selections and helping chefs create menus. In North America, a maître d'hôtel is known as a dining room manager.