Catering Assistant

What will you be doing?

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is keen to develop and grow in catering and hospitality. You will be required to:

• Lead and supervise the visitor experience team, ensuring exceptional customer service and satisfaction throughout the catering areas.
• Take responsibility for the overall cleanliness and organisation of the café, ensuring a welcoming environment for all customers.
• To support the Catering Leads / Cheds, with preparation of dishes for both daily sales and functions/events.
• Support the chefs in the kitchen with various tasks, including preparing dishes, maintaining cleanliness, and assisting with pot washing.
• Manage food ordering and inventory to ensure the kitchen is well-stocked and prepared for daily operations.
• Ensure all pots, pans, cutlery, plates, cooking equipment, and workbenches are clean and in order at all times.
• Provide training and support to team members as required, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
• Assist with serving customers and perform other Front of House duties, including housekeeping, to maintain a high standard of service.
• Take charge of the Front of House area, ensuring customers have an enjoyable experience and want to return.
• Attend and actively participate in required training sessions to stay updated with best practices and standards.
• Be friendly and informative, sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm of The Chester House Estate and its history with every visitor.
• Answer any questions that visitors have about the site where appropriate.
• Operate the tills in the Farmhouse Kitchen and Bar Areas.
•  Help serve and clear tables within the Farmhouse Kitchen and other catering areas across the site.
• Maintain the appearance of public spaces within the buildings and wider estate, including regular cleaning such as toilets and sinks.
• Ensure vigilance with regard to the safety and security of our site and visitors.
• Adhere to all health and safety and operational procedures of the site.
• Understand and implement the fire evacuation procedure with primary regard to visitor and personal safety.
• Undergo any necessary training to perform your role effectively.
•  Use initiative to solve problems that may arise and escalate where appropriate.
•  Provide assistance to visitors at any point during their visit to ensure they have the best experience at the Chester House Estate.
• Perform ad hoc duties when necessary.

This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.

Safeguarding commitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults.  We require you to understand and demonstrate this commitment.

This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work.  In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.

About you

As a candidate for the Catering Assistant role, you will be someone who is keen to develop and grow in the catering and hospitality industry. You should have a foundational education with at least 3 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and Maths. Ideally, you also possess a Level 2 food hygiene certificate and are trained in first aid.

Your experience and knowledge base should include a basic understanding of cooking techniques and methods, along with a sound knowledge of hygiene, safety and allergen standards within a kitchen environment. While prior experience within catering is preferred, an appreciation and understanding of the importance of the historic environment, along with EPOS and cash handling experience, would be advantageous.

Your ability and skills are key to succeeding in this role. You must possess excellent face-to-face communication skills to build and maintain good customer and staff relations. As an outstanding team player, you can work effectively even when things get busy and remain calm under pressure. You should be capable of using kitchen equipment once trained and have the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Basic ICT skills are also desirable.

Furthermore, you will demonstrate an awareness and understanding of equal opportunities, ensuring you consider other people’s behavior, physical, social and welfare needs in your daily tasks.

Your responsibilities will include leading and supervising the visitor experience team, ensuring exceptional customer service, and taking charge of the overall cleanliness and organization of the café. You will support the Catering Leads and chefs, manage food ordering and inventory, and ensure the kitchen and dining areas are well-maintained. Your role also involves assisting with serving customers, maintaining public spaces, ensuring safety and security, and adhering to health and safety procedures.

Through continuous training and support, you will foster a culture of excellence within your team. Your ability to use initiative to solve problems and provide assistance during visitors' experiences will ensure they have the best possible visit to the Chester House Estate. This role requires flexibility, dedication, and a proactive approach to perform ad hoc duties as necessary, making you an indispensable part of the catering team.

Our benefits

We offer:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.

About us

We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.

Our priorities are:

• helping people live active fulfilled lives
• caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
• enabling a thriving and successful economy
• leading on a green and sustainable environment
• ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
• providing modern public services

Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.

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