At a Glance
- Tasks: Help serve healthy meals and support the kitchen team in a vibrant school environment.
- Company: Olive Dining, a dedicated school catering company focused on fresh, nutritious meals.
- Benefits: Enjoy family-friendly hours, free meals, and access to wellbeing support.
- Other info: Room for growth and a supportive team culture awaits you!
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a school community while enjoying work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Good energy, attention to detail, and great communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Make a difference every day by helping provide healthy, delicious meals to children at school.
Who We Are
At Olive Dining, we believe great food brings people together — and there’s no better place to do that than in schools, where young minds are growing every day. We’re a dedicated school catering company serving fresh, nutritious meals to students across London, Kent, Surrey, and Essex.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us
- Family‑Friendly Hours: Term time only, so you can enjoy school holidays too!
- Weekends Off: Monday to Friday.
- Supportive Team Culture: You’re never just a number here.
- Free Meals on Duty: Because you should never work hungry.
- Wellbeing First: Access to an Employee Assistance Programme including free CBT, health, and financial support.
- Room to Grow: We believe in promoting from within and helping our people thrive.
Your Day‑to‑Day
- Washing up crockery, utensils, and kitchen equipment using our dishwashing machines (and occasionally, old‑fashioned elbow grease).
- Serving meals to students and staff with a smile.
- Helping the team with basic food preparation (chopping, peeling, mixing, plating, garnishing).
- Assisting with deliveries — unpacking stock and storing it in the right places.
- Keeping the service area clean, tidy, and well‑stocked during lunch.
- Setting up and clearing down before and after service.
- Following food hygiene and safety standards at all times.
- Supporting the team wherever needed to keep service running smoothly.
- Completing any other reasonable requests given by your manager.
What You’ll Need
- Good energy to keep pace during busy mealtimes.
- Attention to detail, such as neat presentation or correct allergen labelling.
- Great communication skills with both adults and young people.
- Reliability and good timekeeping.
- Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn; catering experience helpful but not essential.
This Role Is Perfect If You
- Want to make a real impact in a school community.
- Enjoy variety and hands‑on work.
- Like the idea of work‑life balance that includes school holidays.
- Are ready to bring your ideas, creativity, and energy to the table.
Ready to Join the Olive Team?
If you’re ready to take the next step in your catering career and want to work somewhere that values people, flavour, and fun, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and bring your passion to the plate!
Catering Assistant - Heathcote School & Science College in Essex employer: Olive Dining Limited
At Olive Dining, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering family-friendly hours and a supportive team culture that values each individual. With opportunities for personal growth and a commitment to wellbeing, including free meals and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, we ensure our staff thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of students. Join us in creating delicious, nutritious meals in a vibrant school environment where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assistant - Heathcote School & Science College in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Olive Dining and their values. When you understand what they stand for, you can tailor your approach and show them why you're a perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role at Olive Dining. Personal connections can make a big difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to catering and teamwork. Think about examples from your past that showcase your energy, attention to detail, and communication skills. We want to see your enthusiasm shine through!
✨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 genuinely interested in joining the Olive team. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Assistant - Heathcote School & Science College in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through! Share any experiences you have that relate to preparing or serving meals, even if it's just helping out at home or in a community setting.
Highlight Your Team Spirit:We’re all about teamwork here at Olive Dining, so make sure to mention any past experiences where you’ve worked well with others. Whether it’s in a job, school project, or volunteer work, we want to see how you can contribute to our supportive team culture.
Be Detail-Oriented:Attention to detail is key in catering, especially when it comes to food hygiene and presentation. In your application, give examples of how you’ve paid attention to details in previous roles or activities, as this will show us you’re the right fit for the job.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we love a friendly tone, remember to keep your application professional. Use clear language, check for spelling and grammar mistakes, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for joining our team. Apply through our website to make sure your application gets to us directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Olive Dining Limited
✨Know Your Role
Familiarise yourself with the job description and daily tasks of a Catering Assistant. Understand the importance of providing healthy meals and how your role contributes to the school community. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
Bring your energy and passion for food to the interview. Share any relevant experiences, even if they’re not directly related to catering. Whether it’s cooking for friends or volunteering at events, demonstrating your enthusiasm for food and service can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice your communication skills before the interview. Since you'll be interacting with both students and staff, being able to express yourself clearly and positively is key. Think about examples where you've successfully communicated in a busy environment, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the team culture, opportunities for growth, or how they ensure food safety and hygiene. This shows that you’re not only interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to their mission of providing great food in schools.
