At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to deliver exceptional catering service and support food preparation.
- Company: Be part of John Lewis, the UK's largest employee-owned business.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, flexible hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Great opportunities for personal growth and teamwork in a vibrant atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a difference in a fast-paced setting while showcasing your passion for food.
- Qualifications: Flexibility, attention to detail, and a love for customer service are essential.
About the role
Our Catering Assistants in John Lewis shops work in either customer restaurants or behind-the-scenes in Partner (employee) dining rooms. Wherever you work, you will offer the great customer service John Lewis is known for. It can be fast-paced, but by taking pride in your food preparation and presentation standards, you will ensure the best possible catering experience. You will also support other catering tasks, including stock replenishment and storage of deliveries. Catering Partners enjoy free food in our dining rooms on working days, and there are no split shifts or late evening work when based in our shops.
Key Responsibilities
- Work as a team to ensure a smooth catering service.
- Provide positive customer and Partner interactions with a friendly and welcoming attitude, and be an ambassador for the John Lewis brand at all times.
- Follow procedures and instructions using the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Food Safety Act when completing all relevant tasks.
- Ensure stock is replenished and available for customers.
- Reduce food wastage by ensuring care and due diligence when rotating food stock.
- Act promptly and use your initiative to resolve any issues that arise in the operation.
- Maintain personal hygiene standards.
Essential skills/experience you\'ll need
- Ability to be flexible to work across the whole Catering team and use your initiative to ensure the smooth running of the operation.
- Passion for food.
- Keen eye for detail and high standards in food preparation, hygiene and cleanliness.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment.
- Team work and great customer service.
- Experience of working in a kitchen or a catering environment.
- Varied hours of full and part-time work across seven days to include early starts, late finishes, evenings and weekends.
The partnership
We’re the largest employee-owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.
We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.
We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.
As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note
Important points to note:
It’s 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’ll 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.
Catering Assistant – Christmas in Nottingham employer: John Lewis Partnership
At John Lewis, we pride ourselves on being the largest employee-owned business in the UK, fostering a culture where every Partner is valued and empowered. Our Catering Assistants enjoy a supportive work environment with no split shifts or late evenings, alongside benefits like free meals during shifts. With a strong focus on personal growth and teamwork, we create a thriving atmosphere that encourages our Partners to take ownership and contribute to our shared success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assistant – Christmas in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the John Lewis brand inside out! Familiarise yourself with their values and what makes them unique. When you walk into that interview, show your passion for food and customer service – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! Since you'll be interacting with customers and fellow Partners, think of some scenarios where you can demonstrate your friendly attitude and teamwork. A little role-play with a mate can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about your flexibility! The role requires adaptability, so come prepared with examples of how you've thrived in fast-paced environments before. Show them you can handle whatever comes your way!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, keep an eye on those vacancies – they can close early if there’s a lot of interest!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Assistant – Christmas in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Mention any experiences you've had in kitchens or catering environments, and how they fuelled your passion. We want to see that you care about what you serve!
Highlight Teamwork Skills:Since this role is all about working together, make sure to emphasise your ability to collaborate with others. Share examples of how you've worked as part of a team in the past, and how you can contribute to a smooth catering service with us.
Be Detail-Oriented:Attention to detail is key in catering, so don’t forget to mention your keen eye for cleanliness and food preparation standards. Talk about how you ensure high hygiene levels and how you handle food stock responsibly to reduce waste.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to showcase your skills and experiences in a way that stands out to us. Don’t wait too long, though – we might close applications early if we get a lot of interest!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis Partnership
✨Know Your Stuff About Food Safety
Make sure you brush up on the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Food Safety Act. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you take food safety seriously, which is crucial for a Catering Assistant role.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare some examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past. Whether it’s a friendly interaction or resolving an issue, being able to share your experiences will highlight your suitability for the role.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Think of times when you’ve worked well in a team, especially in fast-paced environments. John Lewis values teamwork, so be ready to discuss how you contribute to a positive team dynamic and help ensure smooth operations.
✨Be Ready to Talk About Flexibility
Since the role requires flexibility with hours, be prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt. Showing that you can work across different shifts and are open to varied hours will make you a more attractive candidate.
