“In hospitality, your next hire could make or break the guest experience.”
London’s hospitality scene moves at an unforgiving pace. With new restaurants launching, boutique hotels expanding, and events popping up daily, the demand for skilled, reliable staff is at an all-time high. But finding people who aren’t just available but passionate, polished, and performance-ready isn’t something you can leave to chance.
That’s why smart businesses turn to hospitality recruiting companies. These specialist agencies don’t just match CVs to job descriptions they understand service standards, cultural fit, and the need for staff who can thrive in pressure-filled environments.
This blog reveals the top 10 hospitality recruitment companies in London, carefully selected for their reputation, client satisfaction, and ability to consistently deliver excellence. Whether you’re hiring one star bartender or an entire opening team, these agencies have the tools, networks, and instincts to get it right the first time.
Why Is Choosing the Right Hospitality Recruiting Company Crucial in London?
The hospitality industry in London is one of the most competitive and fast-paced sectors in the UK. From bustling restaurants in Soho to luxury hotels in Mayfair, delivering consistent, high-quality service depends heavily on the people you employ. Yet, recruiting the right talent isn’t always straightforward.
This is where hospitality recruiting companies come in. These agencies specialise in finding, vetting, and placing skilled individuals in roles where customer service, professionalism, and attention to detail are vital.
Choosing the right recruiting partner not only saves time but also ensures that new hires align with your brand, culture, and long-term goals. A poor hire can lead to high turnover, lost revenue, and a damaged reputation issues that top agencies are equipped to prevent.
How Do Hospitality Recruitment Agencies in London Work?
Hospitality recruitment agencies in London offer a streamlined hiring process designed to reduce the workload for employers while improving the quality of hires. When a business approaches a recruitment firm, the agency gathers detailed information about the role, company culture, required skills, and working conditions.
Next, the agency searches through its internal talent pools, job boards, and networks to find the most suitable candidates. These professionals are pre-screened and interviewed by recruiters to assess their experience, presentation, and work ethic. Only the best-matched candidates are forwarded to the client for final interviews or trials.
Agencies often handle a mix of permanent, contract, and temporary placements. Temporary staffing is especially popular in the hospitality industry due to its seasonal and event-driven nature. Some agencies can even provide staff within hours for last-minute needs an invaluable service for businesses during peak times or emergencies.
What Should You Look For in a Top Hospitality Recruitment Agency?
The hospitality sector thrives on efficiency, service excellence, and consistency qualities that should also be reflected in the recruitment agency you choose. A credible agency will have a proven track record in hospitality staffing and a deep understanding of the roles it fills, from entry-level to executive.
Reputation is a key indicator of performance. Reading verified Google reviews, client testimonials, and success stories can offer insights into how the agency operates. Transparent communication, fast response times, and a willingness to understand your business are also essential.
Additionally, ask about their vetting process. Do they conduct skills tests or reference checks? Are the candidates experienced in your niche, whether that’s fine dining, boutique hotels, or event catering? An agency’s ability to consistently deliver top-tier candidates is often what separates average firms from industry leaders.
Which Are the Top 10 Hospitality Recruiting Companies in London?
1. COREcruitment – “Global Talent, Local Focus”
With a global reach and a strong London base, COREcruitment offers tailored staffing solutions for hospitality, leisure, and retail. Their consultants are experts in recruiting across various roles from chefs and managers to hotel executives. What sets COREcruitment apart is their sector-driven approach and detailed candidate vetting.
Their reach across Europe and beyond also makes them ideal for businesses looking to hire multilingual or internationally experienced professionals. Employers appreciate the team’s speed, accuracy, and consultative support.
COREcruitment takes a people-first approach, guiding clients and candidates throughout the entire hiring process. Their industry knowledge and broad candidate network make them a leader in quality placements.
Sector Focus
Hospitality and leisure roles with international candidate reach.
Recommended For
Hotels, restaurants, and leisure businesses with mid to senior hiring needs.
Pricing: Custom per role or retainer packages.
- Website: corecruitment.com
- Phone: +44 20 7790 2666
- Address: 5-6 Sandeman House, 40 Compton St, London EC1V 0BD
- Email: hello@corecruitment.com
Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – “Found our senior restaurant manager faster than we expected amazing communication throughout.”
2. Evolve Hospitality – “Driven by Passion, Delivered with Precision”
Evolve Hospitality is known for delivering fast, reliable, and highly skilled hospitality staff across the UK, with a strong focus on London. They serve hotels, events, and catering companies with both temporary and permanent placements. Many of their recruiters come from hospitality backgrounds, giving them a real-world understanding of what businesses need.
Their deep candidate pool, efficient systems, and high service standards make them a go-to for peak periods and event staffing. Evolve also champions staff well-being and development, setting them apart from transactional temp providers.
Specialist Area
Catering, events, and hotel staffing both short-term and permanent.
Best Fit
Busy hospitality venues requiring quick and quality staffing.
Pricing: Flexible rates for short-term and long-term placements.
Contact
- Website: evolvehospitality.co.uk
- Phone: 0207 397 1260
- Address: Floor 3-4, 15 Half Moon Court London EC1A 7HF
- Email: london@evolvehospitality.co.uk
Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – “Excellent staff for our corporate events Evolve never lets us down.”
3. The Change Group – “Luxury Recruitment for a Five-Star Industry”
With a client list that includes Michelin-star restaurants, private members clubs, and luxury hotels, The Change Group specialises in high-end hospitality recruitment. They offer both temp and permanent roles and are especially skilled in matching candidates with premium venues that demand not only experience but elegance and professionalism.
The agency is staffed by hospitality insiders who understand the intricacies of fine dining, premium service standards, and guest experience. Their tailored recruitment solutions are both creative and discreet, making them a trusted partner to some of London’s most exclusive establishments.
Industry Specialty
Premium hospitality roles in London’s luxury service sector.
Best Suited For
Five-star hotels and restaurants seeking elite front- and back-of-house talent.
Pricing: Tiered pricing based on volume and seniority.
- Website: changehospitality.co.uk
- Phone: 0208 050 6312
- Address: 1 Coldbath Square, London EC1R 5HL
- Email: info@changehospitality.co.uk
Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – “They truly understand our brand and have placed some of our best-performing staff.”
4. Mise en Place – “Precision Recruitment for Culinary Excellence”
Mise en Place is a boutique firm that focuses on senior-level and culinary roles. Their clients include award-winning restaurants and food-led businesses across London. With a hands-on, personal approach, they take time to understand each employer’s culture and long-term vision. This allows them to place chefs, GMs, and kitchen leaders who fit both the role and the ethos of the venue.
Their reputation for quality and discretion makes them a go-to for restaurants launching new concepts or those undergoing internal transformation. If you need a culinary leader or experienced manager, this is the firm to call.
Recruitment Strength
Executive chef, senior FOH, and strategic hospitality leadership.
Ideal For
Premium and concept-driven hospitality businesses building leadership teams.
Pricing: Retained and contingency options available.
- Website: miseenplace.co.uk
- Phone: +44 7 430 9811
- Address: 17 Hanover Square, London W1S 1BN
- Email: info@miseenplace.co.uk
Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – “Placing the right chef in our kitchen changed our business. Huge thanks to MEP!”
5. Sixty Eight People – “People-First Hospitality Recruitment”
Sixty Eight People approaches hospitality hiring with an emphasis on values, culture, and team dynamics. Based in London, they’re known for helping build happy teams that stay and thrive. Their candidate matching process goes beyond CVs, factoring in motivations and soft skills to reduce churn and improve team cohesion.
Working across FOH, BOH, and leadership roles, they collaborate with independent venues, restaurant groups, and new hospitality concepts. Their fresh, energetic brand and people-centred mission have made them one of the most trusted recruiters for long-term team growth.
Specialisation
Values-led hospitality recruitment with a people-first mindset.
Ideal Clients
Growing restaurants and hospitality groups that prioritise culture-fit.
Pricing: Flexible hiring packages tailored to business size.
- Website: sixtyeightpeople.com
- Phone: +44 161 710 2115
- Address: 46 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3PD
- Email: hello@sixtyeightpeople.com
Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – “Sixty Eight helped us reduce turnover and boost team morale across three venues.”
6. We Are Arc – “Flexible Staffing for Events and Experiences”
We Are Arc specialises in high-volume hospitality and event staffing, particularly for festivals, stadiums, and live experiences. They offer a tech-powered platform that enables easy booking, real-time scheduling, and performance tracking of staff. Their vetting process includes training in service standards and compliance, which gives employers peace of mind even when hiring dozens of staff at once.
They’re popular among caterers, sports arenas, and promotional events companies who need reliable, enthusiastic staff at scale. Arc is also known for its attention to staff wellbeing and career growth.
Field of Expertise
Tech enhanced staffing for hospitality events and venues.
Best Choice For
Event organisers and high-volume venues needing large staff teams.
Pricing: Scalable hourly rates and staff packages.
- Website: https://www.wearearc.co.uk/
- Phone: 0333 344 6863
- Address: 69 Wilson St, London EC2A 2BB
- Email: hello@wearearc.co.uk
Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ – “We used Arc for our summer food festival. Great team, super easy tech.”
7. BeeRecruit – “Connecting Buzzing Talent with Busy Venues”
BeeRecruit is a fast-growing hospitality recruiter focused on the needs of small businesses, pop-ups, and independent food brands. Known for their flexible, hands-on approach, BeeRecruit works closely with venue owners to find candidates who bring personality, adaptability, and enthusiasm.
Their strength lies in short-notice placements and helping venues that don’t have large HR budgets. Despite their size, BeeRecruit’s commitment to client satisfaction and staff quality is unwavering, earning them growing praise in London’s local hospitality circles.
Recruitment Focus
Affordable recruitment for small and independent hospitality venues.
Ideal For
Pubs, coffee shops, and start-ups seeking quick hires.
Pricing: Budget-friendly, flat-fee or hourly pricing models.
- Website: beerecruit.co.uk
- Phone: 0203 488 7562
- Address: York House, 221 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9UZ
- Email: rory@beerec.com
Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – “Affordable, fast, and super friendly. Ideal for our small kitchen team.”
8. Berkeley Scott – “Trusted Hospitality Recruiters Since 1984”
Berkeley Scott is one of the UK’s longest-running hospitality recruitment firms, known for its depth of knowledge, strong networks, and reliable placements. With decades of experience, they cover all sectors, including hotels, pubs, restaurants, and contract catering. Their consultants combine traditional recruitment principles with modern tools to ensure a high-quality, efficient service.
They provide both temporary and permanent recruitment, and are particularly trusted for high-volume hiring, such as hotel openings and seasonal workforces.
Core Expertise
All-round hospitality and catering recruitment with deep roots.
Best Used By
Large-scale hospitality employers needing dependable service.
Pricing: Project-based or long-term agreements.
- Website: berkeley-scott.co.uk
- Phone: 020 7268 6264
- Address: 19-21 Great Tower Street, London EC3R 5AR
- Email: londontemp@berkeley-scott.co.uk
Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – “Their team helped staff our entire hotel opening in under a month seamless!”
9. Appetite4Recruitment – “Recruiting with Appetite and Insight”
Appetite4Recruitment brings energy and insight into recruiting for restaurants, pubs, and casual dining brands. They understand fast-paced environments and what it takes to thrive in them. With experience across the UK, their London consultants offer targeted hiring solutions for both new ventures and expanding chains.
Their process is straightforward, honest, and efficient. Clients praise their responsiveness and dedication, while candidates benefit from career advice and support.
Area of Specialism
Fast-paced hospitality recruitment for casual dining brands.
Best For
Restaurants, pubs, and chains expanding or rebranding.
Pricing: Candidate-focused fee structures.
- Website: appetite4recruitment.co.uk
- Phone: 01483 415 088
- Address: First Floor, Solly’s Mill, Mill Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1EY
- Email: info@appetite4recruitment.co.uk
Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – “They just get it. Placed three assistant managers who’ve all stayed long-term.”
10. Admiral Recruitment – “Excellence in Every Placement”
Admiral Recruitment focuses on excellence and professionalism in every part of the recruitment journey. Their London division works with hospitality clients across fine dining, corporate services, and contract catering. They’re particularly strong in placing both permanent and interim managers, chefs, and back-of-house teams.
Clients appreciate their attention to detail, discretion, and structured recruitment process. They offer long-term partnership packages for ongoing hiring needs.
Strength Area
End-to-end recruitment solutions for high-end hospitality and catering.
Best For
Premium venues looking for structured, high-quality hires.
Pricing: Executive recruitment pricing models available.
- Phone: 020 7488 0162
- Address: 16-18 Monument Street, London EC3R 8AJ
- Website: admiralgroup.com
- Email: info@admiralgroup.com
Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – “Placed our contract catering team all candidates were top-notch professionals.”
Can Hospitality Recruitment Agencies Help with Temporary and Event Staff in London?
Temporary staffing is a major strength of most hospitality recruiting firms in London. With the city constantly hosting private events, exhibitions, and large-scale conferences, the demand for trained, on-call staff is unrelenting. Recruitment agencies step in to offer flexible solutions, deploying bartenders, waitstaff, hosts, kitchen porters, and more often within hours of a request.
For event organisers and catering companies, this kind of rapid staffing support is not just convenient it’s essential. Agencies maintain databases of vetted individuals who are trained, uniformed, and ready to work in high-pressure environments. Many agencies also manage shift scheduling and payroll, making them a full-service staffing partner.
What Are the Benefits of Partnering with Specialist Hospitality Recruiters?
Hospitality recruitment specialists bring a wealth of industry knowledge to the table. They understand the subtle distinctions between a fine dining maître d’ and a casual bistro server, or between a head chef in a boutique hotel versus a large-scale caterer. This deep understanding translates into better matches, smoother onboarding, and higher employee retention.
Another key benefit is speed. Specialist agencies often fill roles faster than generalist recruiters because they have talent pools on standby and systems in place to expedite placements. This agility is especially useful during holidays, festivals, and tourism peaks when vacancies increase sharply.
Partnering with a niche recruiter also reduces hiring risks. Their vetting processes are tailored to hospitality standards, and many offer guarantees or replacement policies if things don’t work out a level of accountability that general job boards can’t match.
Are These Services Accessible for Small Businesses in the Hospitality Sector?
A common misconception is that recruitment firms are only for large hotel chains or high-end venues. In reality, many agencies work closely with small and independent businesses from coffee shops and food trucks to family-run B&Bs.
Agencies understand that small businesses have unique challenges, including tighter budgets and the need for adaptable, multi-skilled staff. Many offer pay-as-you-go options or one-off placements without binding contracts, allowing even the smallest venue to benefit from expert hiring support. Whether you need someone for a weekend shift or a permanent team member, there’s a scalable solution available.
What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Hospitality Recruiting Firm?
Before selecting a recruitment partner, it’s vital to ask the right questions. This helps you gauge their reliability, suitability, and level of expertise in your specific niche.
Start by asking how long they’ve worked within the hospitality sector and what types of clients they usually serve. You’ll also want to understand their candidate screening process do they verify references, test skills, or conduct personality assessments?
Cost is another important factor. Ensure you understand the fee structure, including whether it’s a flat fee or a percentage of salary, and what happens if a placement doesn’t work out. Some agencies offer refund policies or free replacements, which can provide peace of mind.
How Can You Start Working with a Hospitality Recruitment Agency in London?
Getting started is often easier than most businesses expect. The process begins with an enquiry typically by phone or via an online form. From there, an account manager or consultant will discuss your requirements in detail, including job roles, ideal candidate profiles, start dates, and any specific needs like language skills or certifications.
Once the brief is submitted, the agency handles everything from advertising and interviews to referencing and scheduling. If you’re hiring temp staff, the agency may even manage payroll and contracts on your behalf.
Good agencies offer support throughout the entire process, from your initial consultation to post-placement check-ins to ensure both the employer and employee are satisfied.
Conclusion
In a city like London, where hospitality is both a lifestyle and a livelihood, finding the right people for your team can be the difference between thriving and just surviving.
The best hospitality recruiting companies don’t just send over CVs they act as strategic partners in your growth. Whether you’re a five-star hotel, a pop-up café, or a fast-paced event business, there’s a recruitment agency out there ready to meet your specific staffing needs.
Investing time in choosing the right firm, asking the right questions, and reviewing their track record can help you build a reliable, skilled team that delivers exceptional service every day.
FAQs About Hospitality Recruiting Companies in London
How quickly can a hospitality recruitment agency fill a vacancy in London?
Most top agencies can provide candidates for temporary roles within 24–48 hours and fill permanent positions within one to two weeks, depending on complexity.
Do these agencies handle roles like chefs, bartenders, and hotel staff?
Yes. They cover a broad spectrum of positions, from chefs and baristas to concierge staff, kitchen porters, and front-of-house managers.
Can I find multilingual hospitality staff through a London agency?
Many agencies specialise in recruiting staff who speak multiple languages, particularly for luxury hotels and tourist-driven establishments.
Is it expensive to use a hospitality recruitment firm in London?
While there’s a cost involved, many offer competitive rates and flexible terms. The return on investment often comes in the form of reduced turnover and better hires.
What happens if the new hire doesn’t work out?
Most agencies offer a replacement guarantee, meaning they’ll find a new candidate at no extra cost within a certain time frame.
Do agencies also help with temporary event staffing?
Absolutely. Event and temporary staffing is one of the core services offered by London-based hospitality recruiters.
Can small restaurants or cafes use these services?
Yes. Agencies offer scalable services to fit the needs and budgets of small and independent businesses.