Café Assistant

Café Assistant

Seasonal 13.8 - 13.8 £ / hour (est.) No working from home possible
London Wildlife Trust

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Serve delicious drinks and create a welcoming atmosphere for café visitors.
  • Company: Join the London Wildlife Trust's new café at Grosvenor Square.
  • Benefits: Earn £13.80 per hour with free lunch and tea/coffee on shift.
  • Other info: Exciting opportunities to work across multiple locations and grow your career.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team that connects people with nature in a vibrant setting.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a barista and excellent customer service skills required.

The predicted salary is between 13.8 - 13.8 £ per hour.

Want to work for a good cause and benefit from spectacular views? We’re looking for team members to join our brand new café at Grosvenor Square, to help us achieve our vision of London alive with nature, where everyone can experience and enjoy wildlife.

Pay rate: £13.80 per hour (with free lunch and tea/coffee on shift). There may be additional opportunities to work across our other cafes at Walthamstow Wetlands, Woodberry Wetlands, and Camley Street Natural Park.

Role & Responsibilities

Our cafés bring Londoners closer to the wild spaces we care for, offering welcoming spaces for people to relax and connect with nature. As a Café Assistant, you’ll play a key role in supporting the Trust’s vision by delivering great customer service and shaping visitor experiences. We're opening a brand new café at Grosvenor Square in July 2026, so it’s an exciting time to join the team!

  • Provide warm, positive customer service by taking orders, processing payments, and upselling where appropriate.
  • Prepare and serve high‑quality hot and cold drinks in a fast‑paced environment, including opening and closing the coffee station.
  • Maintain strong menu and allergen awareness, following key food safety and allergen‑handling principles.
  • Support stock management, including effective stock rotation, minimising waste, and assisting with deliveries and delivery notes.
  • Carry out routine setup, close‑down, and cleaning duties, ensuring all café areas remain clean, tidy, and welcoming.
  • Complete and document essential health and safety checks, such as temperature logs and cleaning charts, in line with Food Hygiene regulations.
  • Prepare menu items as directed and record daily tasks accurately using Trail (task management app).
  • Work collaboratively across teams, supporting events, assisting other LWT teams when needed, and raising any concerns professionally.

Contract: we’re currently recruiting team members to join us during the busy Summer months - there is potential for the contract to be extended.

Our ideal Café Assistant will have:

  • Demonstrable experience as a barista, including confident use of an espresso machine and till systems.
  • Excellent customer service and communication skills.
  • Good understanding of Health & Safety and food hygiene in a catering environment.
  • A proactive, solutions‑focused approach, with the ability to follow instructions and use initiative.
  • Desire to build positive working relationships and contribute to a supportive team environment.

Closing Date: 9am 13th July. Interviews may be offered ahead of the advertised closing date.

Does this sound like you? We’d love to hear from you! Our vision is a London alive with wildlife, with nature in everyone's neighbourhood. To achieve our goal of inspiring everyone to help restore London’s wildlife, we recognise that our team must better reflect and represent all of London’s diverse communities.

Café Assistant employer: London Wildlife Trust

Join the London Wildlife Trust as a Café Assistant at our new café in Grosvenor Square, where you can contribute to a meaningful cause while enjoying stunning views of nature. We offer a supportive work culture with opportunities for growth across multiple locations, competitive pay, and benefits like free meals during shifts. Be part of a team that values diversity and inclusion, and help us create welcoming spaces for everyone to connect with wildlife.

London Wildlife Trust

Contact Details:

London Wildlife Trust Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Café Assistant

Get in Early: Embrace the Seasonal Rush

In hospitality, seasonal hiring can be a bit of a frenzy, so make sure you’re applying early. Keep an eye on when local businesses like cafés and restaurants ramp up for holiday seasons or summer rushes. We can help you stay ahead by tracking application windows—don’t miss out!

Join Local Hospitality Groups

Tap into local hospitality communities online or through social media. Groups on Facebook or platforms like MeetUp can be goldmines for seasonal job opportunities. Engage with these communities—join discussions, share your eagerness, and you could snag a gig before it’s even advertised!

Show Your Face: Walk-Ins Matter

In hospitality, nothing beats a good ol' walk-in. Visit local establishments and introduce yourself. Bring along a flashy CV and maybe even drop a line about why you’re keen to work there. Sometimes just chatting with the manager can score you an interview on the spot!

Use Seasonal Hiring Platforms

Look for platforms that specialise in seasonal positions in the hospitality sector. Websites dedicated to summer jobs or Festival employment can offer unique roles that align with your interests. Don't forget to apply through our website too—companies like London Wildlife Trust are constantly looking for enthusiastic seasonal workers like you!

We think you need these skills to ace Café Assistant

Communication Skills
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Teamwork
Problem-Solving Skills
Customer Service
Positive Attitude

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service game, your customer service skills are your bread and butter. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you have in restaurants, cafés, or similar environments, emphasizing your ability to handle busy situations and provide excellent service.

Seasonal Availability is Key:Since this is a seasonal role, we're looking for candidates who are flexible with their availability. In your cover letter, mention specific times you’re available during the season and any previous seasonal positions you’ve held. This helps us see you as a perfect fit for this temporary gig!

Culinary Knowledge Can Set You Apart:If you have any culinary certifications or training, be sure to feature them prominently in your application. Knowing your way around a kitchen or having food safety certifications could give you an edge over other candidates when applying for a role at London Wildlife Trust.

Make It Personal:When applying through our website, use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about working with London Wildlife Trust. Draw on any personal experiences you have in the hospitality scene and how they inspired you to apply for this seasonal role. We love a personal touch!

How to prepare for a job interview at London Wildlife Trust

Know Your Menu Inside Out

With a seasonal role in hospitality-food-service, it’s super important to familiarise yourself with the menu. Be ready to chat about your favourite dishes, special ingredients, and any dietary considerations people might have. This shows you're passionate and prepared to provide excellent service right from the start!

Brush Up on Your Customer Service Skills

In hospitality, customer service can make or break the experience. Think of scenarios where you've gone the extra mile for a guest, or how you've handled challenges with a smile. Prepare a few stories that highlight your ability to connect with customers, solve problems, and create a welcoming atmosphere.

Flexibility is Key

Seasonal roles often require us to be flexible with our hours and responsibilities. During the interview, be prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt. Highlighting your ability to jump into different roles, whether it’s serving or kitchen support, can really set you apart.

Showcase Your Team Spirit

Hospitality thrives on teamwork, especially in busy seasons. Prepare to share experiences where you collaborated with colleagues to create a seamless experience for guests. If you've got any examples where you helped to lift team morale during busy shifts, mention them! It’s all about showing that you can contribute positively to the work environment.