Not every waiter job comes with a Michelin star on the door. Talea by Antonio Guida, the Italian restaurant at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, is hiring a Waiter/Waitress through the hotel’s Restaurants, Bars & Experiences team. For anyone serious about a career in fine dining, it’s the kind of opening you don’t see every week.
Here’s what the role usually involves, what the restaurant is known for and a few practical points, including one big one: this job is in Abu Dhabi, not Dubai. The ad doesn’t state a salary, so I’ve left that as something to discuss at interview.
| Position | Waiter/Waitress |
| Restaurant | Talea by Antonio Guida |
| Department | Restaurants, Bars & Experiences |
| Employer | Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental |
| Location | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Cuisine | Italian, Michelin-starred |
| Salary | Not stated in the ad |
About Talea by Antonio Guida
Talea serves Italian family-style cooking, taken very seriously. Chef Antonio Guida’s style shows in dishes like ravioli, burrata, ossobuco and vitello tonnato, and the kitchen is led by his protégé, Luigi Stinga. The restaurant holds a Michelin star, yet the hotel describes the room as elegant but relaxed, so service here is polished without being stiff.
According to the hotel’s website, dinner runs from 6:30pm to 10:30pm, lunch is served on weekends, and the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Hours can change, so treat that as a guide and confirm your actual shift pattern at interview.
What you’ll be doing
- Welcoming guests, showing them to their table and presenting the menu with confidence.
- Explaining dishes and ingredients and helping guests choose food and wine.
- Taking orders accurately and passing them to the kitchen and bar.
- Serving courses on time, clearing with care and sensing when a table needs attention.
- Handling allergies and dietary requests properly. In fine dining, a mistake costs trust.
- Setting and resetting tables and keeping glassware and cutlery spotless.
- Working smoothly with runners, sommeliers, supervisors and the kitchen during service.
- Dealing calmly with feedback and passing any concerns to a supervisor.
These duties reflect the usual role in hotel fine dining. Check the official ad for the exact job description.
What they’ll probably want from you
- Previous experience as a waiter or waitress, ideally in fine dining, a hotel restaurant or high-end Italian.
- Good spoken English. Italian or Arabic is a real plus.
- Knowledge of table service and basic food and wine pairing, or a genuine willingness to learn.
- A polished appearance, good posture and a calm manner.
- Stamina for long periods on your feet.
- Flexibility for evenings, weekends and public holidays.
What service might feel like
Expect a focused, evening-heavy rhythm. Fine-dining service is all about timing: the pasta arrives when it should, the wine is topped up before the guest notices the glass is low, and the table never feels rushed. It’s demanding, but if you like detail and teamwork, you’ll probably enjoy it more than you expect.
A practical note about Abu Dhabi
Emirates Palace is in Abu Dhabi, so if you’re based in Dubai, think about the move before you apply. Ask whether staff accommodation and transport are included. Hotel jobs in the UAE often offer them, but this ad doesn’t say. Work out your monthly costs honestly and compare them with the package you’re offered.
Why it’s worth applying
A Michelin-starred restaurant is a serious classroom. You’ll learn pace, attention to detail and how to read a table, things that are hard to pick up in a busy casual outlet. Having Talea and Mandarin Oriental on your CV carries weight anywhere in the Gulf.
Tips to stand out
- Show you care about details: a tidy CV, neat clothes and clear speech at the interview.
- Learn a few classic Italian dishes and what goes in them, so you can talk about food naturally.
- Be honest about your experience. A fine-dining trial shows real skill quickly.
- Practise carrying and clearing plates smoothly, and explaining a dish in two short sentences.
