At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare delicious meals and support the shop floor team with customer service.
- Company: Join the UK's largest employee-owned business, Waitrose & Partners.
- Benefits: Earn Β£13.39 per hour with night premium pay and flexible working hours.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that values food and customer experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering and a love for serving nutritious meals.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 16 Β£ per hour.
As a Supermarket Assistant Branch Cook, you will be working in the back-of-house of one of our shops in the Partner Dining Room, providing hot and cold food for Partners to enjoy during their break times. When not working in the kitchen, you will support the wider shop floor team as a Supermarket Assistant, providing the distinct service and passion for food that our competitors can't compete with.
In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of Β£3.50 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements. Due to working time regulations, applicants must be 18 years or over to apply.
Key ResponsibilitiesWhen taking on the role of Branch Cook, you will be responsible for:
- The smooth running of the overall kitchen with support and direction from the management team.
- Maintaining a clean, tidy, and safe kitchen environment.
- Ensuring portion control, preparation, storage methods and due diligence to avoid food wastage.
- Adhering to high food hygiene standards.
When not working in the kitchen you will be helping to provide great service to our customers and support with a variety of shop-keeping related tasks including:
- Stock replenishment - ensuring our shelves remain as full as possible and products are in the right place at the right time for our customers.
- Fulfilling online customer orders ready for our drivers to deliver their shopping direct to their doors.
- Reducing wastage by following product due diligence and markdowns to those reaching their sell by dates.
- Working with the wider shop team to support when needed including; checkout support, managing Click & Collect orders, fulfilling on-demand customer orders and more.
- Maintain a safe and tidy working environment with general shopkeeping tasks.
- Experience of working as a cook in a catering or hospitality environment.
- Passionate about food and serving a varied and nutritious menu.
- Customer focused with the ability to engage partners with the food on offer.
- Demonstrate commercial awareness, driving sales within the partner dining room, whilst also controlling costs and wastage.
- Flexible and adaptable to be able to work between kitchen and shop floor as required.
- City & Guilds 706 1 and 2 or NVQ equivalent.
- Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2.
Closing Date: February 17, 2026
Pay: Β£13.39 Hourly
Contract Type: Temporary
Hours of Work: Part time (22.5 hours per week) across seven days to include early starts, late finishes, evenings and weekends.
Job Level: Partnership Level 10
Where You Will Be Working: Dorchester (Waitrose & Partners), Tudor Arcade, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1BN
Itβs important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you will be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Branch Cook, Supermarket Assistant in Dorchester employer: Jlp Insights & Media Website
Contact Detail:
Jlp Insights & Media Website Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Branch Cook, Supermarket Assistant in Dorchester
β¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Waitrose and its values. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being a part of their mission.
β¨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your experience as a cook and your passion for food can benefit the team.
β¨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, bring a sample of your cooking or share a story about a time you created a fantastic dish. This will highlight your culinary passion and creativity.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. Itβs a nice touch that can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Branch Cook, Supermarket Assistant in Dorchester
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any experiences you have in cooking or working with food, and how you engage with customers about the menu. We want to see that you're not just a cook, but someone who truly enjoys serving up delicious meals.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to mention any previous roles you've had in catering or hospitality. If you've worked in a kitchen before, tell us about it! Weβre looking for candidates who can demonstrate their skills and experience, so donβt hold back on showcasing what youβve done.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why youβd be a great fit for the Branch Cook role.
Apply Through Our Website: Donβt forget to submit your application through our website! Itβs the best way for us to receive your details and ensures youβre considered for the role. Plus, itβs super easy to do, so get clicking!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jlp Insights & Media Website
β¨Know Your Kitchen Basics
Brush up on your cooking skills and food hygiene standards before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience in maintaining a clean and safe kitchen environment, as well as how you manage portion control and reduce food wastage.
β¨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for food and serving a varied menu. Share examples of how you've engaged customers with your culinary creations or how you've contributed to a positive dining experience in previous roles.
β¨Demonstrate Flexibility
Since the role requires switching between kitchen duties and shop floor tasks, be prepared to discuss your adaptability. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully juggled multiple responsibilities or adapted to changing situations.
β¨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the supermarket's values and commitment to customer service. Be ready to talk about how you can contribute to driving sales while controlling costs and wastage, showing that you understand the commercial side of the role.