At a Glance
- Tasks: Support chefs in food prep and deliver meals to wards with care.
- Company: Join a caring team at Cumberland Infirmary, making a difference daily.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, employee discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive recruitment process with support for those needing adjustments.
- Why this job: Be part of a vital team that ensures patients receive quality meals.
- Qualifications: Food Safety Level 2 preferred; must thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Better places, thriving communities.
Pay: £21,
Contract: Permanent
Type: Full Time
Hours: 32.5 hours per week
Location: Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, CA2 7HY
Patient Catering Assistant
We are seeking a dedicated and proactive Patient Catering Assistant to join our catering team. In this role, you will support the delivery of high‑quality meal services to patients across the hospital. Your responsibilities will include preparing patient meals, assisting the wider Catering team with food preparation, loading meals onto trolleys, and ensuring timely delivery to the appropriate wards.
You will work to strict Food Safety standards, maintain ward kitchen areas to an excellent standard, and carry out cleaning duties as required. The role involves working to tight deadlines, so being an effective collaborator with strong organisational skills is essential.
You should have a good level of spoken and written English, be confident working with numbers, and demonstrate strong attention to detail. Excellent time‑management skills and the ability to work efficiently in a fast‑paced environment are key.
The ideal candidate will hold a Level 2 Food Safety qualification, understand COSHH guidelines, and be comfortable working in a high‑volume catering environment where temperatures and workloads can vary throughout the day.
Our market‑leading offering provides you with benefits that suit your lifestyle.
We have a virtual GP on hand for you and members of your household. So you can get expert advice by video or phone without having to leave your home. We offer financial wellbeing assistance through our Salary Finance scheme. For example, you could access 50% of your earned pay before payday for a small fee. Salary Finance also offers competitive loans.
When you join us, we’ll give you a link to our flexible lifestyle benefits platform, Choices. You might choose to purchase up to five extra days’ holiday each year. You might buy critical illness insurance, seek dental treatment or buy technology products at an affordable cost. There are many choices!
We give you access to high street discounts from thousands of well‑known retailers, gyms and more through our MiDeals platform. And we have a cycle‑to‑work scheme. Life cover of up to four times your salary is available. We also offer enhanced pension contributions, a save‑as‑you‑earn scheme, and a Mitie Matching Share Plan (you could even be awarded free shares in Mitie).
We award our employees with Mitie Stars as recognition for their hard work. There are cash prizes up for grabs each month and at the end of the year there’s a chance to scoop a top prize of £10,!
Our success is a direct result of the experience and quality of our people. Progressing your career is therefore a top priority for us. We offer a diverse variety of training and development avenues via a wide selection of learning resources to suit you.
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long‑term condition (for example dyslexia, anxiety, autism, a mobility condition or hearing loss) and need us to make any reasonable adjustments, changes or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing at .
catering assistant in Carlisle employer: Mitie
As a Catering Assistant at Cumberland Infirmary, you will be part of a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to providing high-quality food services in a healthcare environment. We offer competitive pay, flexible lifestyle benefits, and numerous opportunities for training and career progression, all within a culture that values inclusivity and employee recognition. Join us in making a meaningful impact on patient care while enjoying a rewarding work-life balance in the heart of Carlisle.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land catering assistant in Carlisle
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Cumberland Infirmary and their catering services. Understanding their values and what they stand for can help you tailor your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even refer you, which can give you a leg up in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to food safety and teamwork. Role-playing with a friend can help you feel more confident when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace catering assistant in Carlisle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food Safety:Make sure to highlight any experience or qualifications related to food safety, like your Food Safety Level 2. We want to see that you understand the importance of safe food handling in a busy environment.
Be Detail-Oriented:In your application, emphasise your attention to detail and accuracy. Mention specific examples where you've maintained high standards in previous roles, as this is crucial for keeping our ward kitchens spotless.
Communicate Clearly:Since good communication is key, ensure your application reflects your ability to convey information effectively. Use clear language and structure your application well so we can easily see your strengths.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mitie
✨Know Your Role
Make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Catering Assistant. Familiarise yourself with food safety standards and COSHH guidelines, as these are crucial for the role. Being able to discuss how you can contribute to maintaining high standards in the kitchen will impress your interviewers.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This job requires collaboration with chefs and other team members. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively in a team before. Highlight your communication skills and how you manage time under pressure, especially in a busy environment.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
In catering, accuracy is key. Prepare to discuss how you ensure tasks are completed correctly and efficiently. You might want to mention any previous experiences where your attention to detail made a difference, especially in food preparation or delivery.
✨Ask Smart Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or what a typical day looks like. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.