At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve delicious food and drinks while creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
- Company: Join the vibrant catering team at Plumpton College, where community matters.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, pension scheme, free gym access, and lifestyle perks.
- Other info: Flexible hours during term time with opportunities for social events and networking.
- Why this job: Make a difference in students' lives while gaining valuable experience in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Great customer service skills and a friendly attitude are essential.
The predicted salary is between 12.6 - 15.4 £ per hour.
We are looking for a friendly, reliable and customer-focused Food Service (Catering) Assistant to join our busy Catering team at Plumpton College. This is an important role supporting the day-to-day service in the Potting Shed, which serves students, staff and visitors, as well as assisting with events and functions across the college. You will also help support our other catering outlets, including the Graze café and the main dining room. Our Catering team takes pride in providing good quality food, efficient service during busy periods, and a welcoming experience for everyone who uses our facilities.
What you’ll be doing:
- Serving food and drinks across our catering outlets
- Providing a friendly and efficient service to students, staff and visitors
- Cleaning kitchen, servery and dining areas
- Following food hygiene, safety and cleaning procedures
- Recording food temperatures and completing cleaning checks
- Helping with stock rotation and reducing food waste
- Supporting college events and functions when required
- Assisting in other catering areas and with vending machines as needed
What we’re looking for:
- Has excellent customer service skills
- Is outgoing, approachable and flexible
- Works well as part of a team
- Can stay calm and effective under pressure
- Is able to undertake manual handling duties
Desirable, but not essential:
- Experience in a similar role
Because of the college’s location, own transport is desirable unless living onsite.
What the college offers its staff:
At Plumpton College, we live our values — Ambitious, Professional, Enterprising, Passionate, Supportive and Progressive — in everything we do. You’ll benefit from a competitive salary alongside a generous benefits package. Staff have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive CPD opportunities, and a supportive working environment. As a Disability Confident Committed employer and a signatory of the Menopause Pledge, we are proud to foster an inclusive workplace. New colleagues benefit from a structured induction and supported probationary period, as well as a strong coaching culture with in‑house Level 5 trained coaches. Employees also enjoy a range of lifestyle and wellbeing benefits such as eligibility for a TOTUM card and Blue Light Card, free eye tests, free use of our onsite gym, cycle‑to‑work scheme, discounted Plumpton wine and courses, free onsite parking, access to competitively priced dining facilities, and an Employee Assistance Programme. Our commitment to staff wellbeing and community is further demonstrated through regular networking events, active EDI and Sustainability committees, and social events at Christmas.
Basic working hours are 09:00 to 15:30 on Thursday and Friday, although some flexibility will be required to meet the needs of the business. This is a term time only role. Some evening, weekend and holiday period working may be required to support catering functions, student activities, recruitment events and wider college activities.
Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to pursuing non-discriminatory policies and practices and eliminating unfair discrimination on any basis. Plumpton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Employment cannot begin until the appropriate DBS clearance has been received and considered.
Commitment to safeguarding:
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), medical, online and social media prohibition from teaching, right to work, satisfactory references, suitability to work with children. You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Food Service Assistant in Lewes employer: Allscreens Nationwide Ltd
Joining Marshall Audi Taunton as a Service Technician apprentice means becoming part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences in the prestigious car market. With comprehensive training, including travel and accommodation covered for your apprenticeship at the Volkswagen Group National Learning Centre, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises personal development and career progression. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology while receiving mentorship and gaining valuable qualifications that pave the way for a successful long-term career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Service Assistant in Lewes
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Service Assistant in Lewes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
