At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to deliver exceptional catering service and support food preparation.
- Company: Be part of the renowned John Lewis brand with a focus on teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, competitive pay, and night premium for late shifts.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for both full-time and part-time work.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience in a fast-paced environment while serving delicious food.
- Qualifications: Passion for food and a keen eye for detail are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 35000 £ per year.
About the Role
As a Catering Assistant in our John Lewis shops, you'll work in either our customer restaurants or behind the scenes in our Partner (employee) dining rooms. Wherever you work, you'll offer the great customer service we're known for. It can be fast‑paced but by taking great pride in your food preparation and presentation standards, you'll ensure the best possible catering experience. You'll also support with other catering related tasks, including stock replenishment and storage of deliveries. Our Catering Partners enjoy free food in our dining rooms on their working days and being based in our shops, there is no split shifts or late evening work. In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £3.75 per hour.
Key Responsibilities
- Work as a team to ensure a smooth catering service.
- Provide positive customer and Partner interactions with a friendly and welcoming attitude.
- Be an ambassador for the John Lewis brand at all times.
- Follow procedures and instructions using the 'Health and Safety at Work Act' and 'Food Safety Act' when completing all relevant tasks.
- Ensure stock is replenished and available for our 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.
- Great customer service.
- Experience of working in a kitchen or a catering environment.
Job Details
- Pay: £13.00 (£13.25 After 90 days)
- Night Premium: £3.75 per hour for any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00.
- Contract Type: Temporary
- Hours of Work: Varied hours of full and part-time work across seven days to include early starts, late finishes, evenings and weekends between the hours of 08:00 - 18:00.
- Job Level: Partnership Level 10
- Location: Exeter (John Lewis & Partners), 1-11 Sidwell Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 6NN
- Closing Date: June 3, 2026
Catering Assistant in Exeter employer: John Lewis plc
At John Lewis, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where our Catering Assistants can thrive. With benefits like free meals during shifts, no split shifts or late evenings, and opportunities for growth within the company, we ensure that our Partners feel valued and motivated. Located in the heart of Exeter, our team enjoys a vibrant atmosphere while delivering exceptional service to our customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assistant in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out John Lewis's values and mission. This way, you can show how your passion for food and customer service aligns with their ethos.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! As a Catering Assistant, you'll be interacting with customers and colleagues all day. Role-play common scenarios with friends to boost your confidence and ensure you come across as friendly and welcoming.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your flexibility! During the interview, highlight your ability to adapt to different roles within the catering team. Share examples of when you've successfully worked in fast-paced environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the John Lewis family!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Assistant in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let us know why you love food! Share any experiences you've had in kitchens or catering environments. This will help us see your enthusiasm and fit for the role.
Highlight Teamwork Skills:We’re all about working together at StudySmarter, so make sure to mention any teamwork experiences you have. Whether it’s in a previous job or a group project, showing that you can collaborate well is key!
Be Detail-Oriented:Since we value high standards in food preparation and hygiene, don’t forget to mention your keen eye for detail. Talk about how you ensure cleanliness and quality in your work – it’ll make your application stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis plc
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards. Familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Food Safety Act, as these are crucial in a catering role. Showing that you understand these regulations will impress your interviewers.
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Let your love for food shine through during the interview. Share any experiences you've had in food preparation or catering, and talk about what excites you about working in this environment. A genuine passion can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Catering is all about teamwork, so be ready to discuss how you work well with others. Prepare examples of times when you collaborated effectively in a fast-paced setting. This will show that you can contribute positively to the team dynamic.
✨Be Ready for Scenarios
Expect situational questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about how you would handle issues like stock shortages or customer complaints. Practising these scenarios will help you respond confidently and demonstrate your initiative.
