At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome guests, serve food and drinks, and maintain a clean café environment.
- Company: Join Forest Holidays, a certified B Corp committed to nature and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holiday allowance, and performance bonuses.
- Why this job: Work in a stunning forest setting while creating memorable experiences for guests.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and a passion for nature and teamwork.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, wellbeing events, and discounts on stays for you and your friends.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 16 £ per hour.
Join us where the forest hides secret glades and sunlight filters through the trees at Keldy Forest.
Location: Keldy (North Yorkshire)
Salary: £12.21 per hour
Working Hours: Full-time, 38 hours.
Days of Work: 2 week rolling rota, working alternate weekends.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Cafe Assistant to join our friendly Keldy team! Be part of creating memorable escapes in one of North Yorkshire's most peaceful forest settings. Develop your skills while ensuring our cabins are beautifully prepared for every guest.
About The Cafe Assistant Role
As our Cafe Assistant, you’ll play a key role in the smooth running of our Forest Retreat, the welcoming hub of Forest Holidays. The Forest Retreat serves as a reception, shop, and café, a place for guests to relax, refuel, and plan their woodland adventures. Unlike many hospitality roles, we offer a better work/life balance, with shifts starting no earlier than 8 am and finishing by 9 pm. This is your chance to work in a calm, natural setting while still delivering top-quality service to our guests.
Your Responsibilities:
- Welcome guests warmly and provide exceptional customer service throughout their stay.
- Prepare and serve food and drinks in our café.
- Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in all areas.
- Support stock control, restock shelves, and assist with deliveries.
- Operate tills, handle payments, and follow cash handling procedures.
- Work as part of a close‑knit team to ensure smooth daily operations.
- Ensure compliance with all health & safety and food hygiene regulations.
- Assist with the set‑up and running of events and activities where required.
What Are We Looking For?
Our ideal Cafe Assistant is friendly, professional, and guest‑focused. You bring positivity and passion to everything you do and enjoy working in a team that values nature, service, and community.
We’re Looking For Someone With:
- Experience in a customer‑facing role (hospitality or retail preferred)
- Great communication and interpersonal skills
- A friendly and approachable attitude
- Attention to detail and pride in maintaining high standards
- A flexible approach to working across different tasks and shifts
- A passion for delivering an excellent guest experience
- A love for working in beautiful outdoor settings, come rain or shine!
Who Are Forest Holidays?
We’re a Certified B Corp. Our business has been recognised as a force for good. It’s what we’ve always known: our holidays are good for people and the planet. We’ve never done business as usual. Our holidays are unique, and so are we. We’re a team of 800 people. We’re stewards of 244.5 hectares of forest. We manage the land for conservation and create spaces in nature for people to stay. Our tucked‑away cabin locations are always thoughtfully placed. They’re places to discover the wonders of nature and realise the part we all play in protecting it.
Why Join Us?
- Generous holiday allowance – Take the time you need to recharge
- Performance‑based bonuses – Earn a 5% bonus (paid quarterly) when customer service targets are met
- Enhanced parental leave – (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at full pay)
- Long service awards and company events – Celebrate success with your team
- Pension scheme – Secure your future with our company pension
- One full paid day to volunteer – Give back to a cause you care about
- Subsidised meals – Discounted food when working on location
- Health cash plan & life assurance – Covered by the company to keep you protected
- Wellbeing events & activities – Focus on your mental and physical wellness
- Save on breaks – Discounted and last‑minute stays at Forest Holidays and Sykes Cottages for you, your friends & family
- Hundreds of discounts – Save on top brands across the UK
Please note: If successful in the role, any job offer will be subject to pre‑employment checks, including a basic criminal record check.
Reasonable Adjustments
We’re all about diversity, inclusion, and bringing your authentic self to work. Need adjustments for the recruitment process? Just ask, our team is happy to help.
Click Apply now to start your journey with us at Keldy. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
Cafe Assistant in Pickering employer: Forest Holidays
Contact Detail:
Forest Holidays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe Assistant in Pickering
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Forest Holidays. Understand their values and what makes them unique. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since the Cafe Assistant role is all about providing top-notch service, think of examples from your past experiences where you went above and beyond for a customer. Be ready to share these stories during your chat with us.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! When you come for your interview, wear something smart but comfortable. You want to look professional while also showing that you’re ready to embrace the relaxed vibe of Keldy Forest.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a couple of questions ready about the role or the team. It shows you’re engaged and keen to learn more about how you can contribute to creating those memorable escapes.
We think you need these skills to ace Cafe Assistant in Pickering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for hospitality and nature. A friendly tone can make a big difference!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in customer service or hospitality. We love seeing how your past roles have prepared you for being a Cafe Assistant at Keldy. Be specific about your skills and achievements!
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we appreciate creativity, clarity is key! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points if it helps to organise your thoughts and make it easy for us to read.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our amazing team at Keldy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forest Holidays
✨Know the Forest Retreat
Familiarise yourself with the Forest Retreat's offerings and atmosphere. Understand what makes it special for guests, as this will help you connect with the interviewers and show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you provided exceptional customer service. Highlight how you handled difficult situations or went above and beyond to ensure a great experience for guests.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since the role involves working closely with a team, be ready to discuss your teamwork experiences. Share specific instances where you collaborated effectively with others to achieve a common goal.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Nature
Express your love for working in outdoor settings and how it aligns with the values of Forest Holidays. Mention any personal experiences in nature that have shaped your appreciation for the environment and guest experiences.