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- Tasks: Join our kitchen crew to prepare and serve delicious, nutritious meals for students and staff.
- Company: Palmer & Howells, a fast-growing company passionate about food and community.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team and make a real impact on students' daily lives.
- Qualifications: A passion for food, teamwork skills, and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on culinary excellence and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 10 - 15 £ per hour.
About us: At Palmer & Howells, we recognise that food is more than what you eat—it is energy, education, and community. We value our staff deeply, recognising the unique skills each person brings. Our staff are dedicated to creative, highly nutritious dishes designed to offer optimal energy. We thrive on collaboration, meticulous communication, and a keen desire to explore the potential of high-quality, fresh ingredients.
This is a dynamic, hands-on role. You will be fully involved in everything from preparation work outside of busy service times to creative innovation. While working in a school kitchen offers fantastic hours, be prepared for a varied workload that requires an adaptable outlook alongside your core tasks.
The Role: We are looking for a dedicated and energetic Catering Assistant to join our friendly team and help us deliver delicious, nutritious meals to our students and staff every day. This is a chance to be a vital part of the school community.
The Details:
- Hours: 20 hours per week
- Weeks: 34 weeks per year
- Rate: £12.21 per hour
Key Responsibilities: As a core member of our kitchen crew, your role is pivotal in ensuring smooth, safe, and enjoyable meal services. You will:
- Instil a strong sense of teamwork by collaborating closely with the kitchen and wider school team to prepare and serve freshly made, high-quality lunches for pupils and staff.
- Maintain a spotless and safe kitchen environment, strictly adhering to all Food Hygiene and Health & Safety policies.
- Work with speed and efficiency to manage the demands and service requirements during busy lunch periods.
- Prepare and complete food service requirements for special school occasions, including meetings, sports days, and other events.
While your day-to-day tasks may vary slightly, your central goal is unwavering: delivering the highest quality of innovative, fresh, and delicious food and service to our pupils.
What you'll need:
- A versatile, outgoing, and highly collaborative approach to working that aligns with our positive team values.
- A genuine interest in food preparation and cooking, with a desire to learn and contribute to nutritious menus.
- Basic knowledge of Health & Safety principles. A Food Safety Level 2 certificate is a bonus, but we will provide training for the right candidate.
- The ability to reliably work the listed hours and easily commute to the school location.
Why join us:
- Work for a fast-growing, ambitious company with no ceiling in terms of where you can take your career. We actively look to promote talent from within.
- You will have access to a dedicated Learning & Development team to support you in developing your skills, including apprenticeships and training courses available to everyone.
- Join a supportive team committed to collaboration and the pursuit of culinary excellence.
Safeguarding Commitment: Palmer & Howells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Catering Assistant employer: Palmer & Howells
Contact Detail:
Palmer & Howells Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Palmer & Howells. Understand their values and mission around food and community. This will help you connect your passion for food with their goals during the chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your teamwork skills! Since this role is all about collaboration, think of examples from your past experiences where you worked well in a team. Be ready to share how you contributed to a positive kitchen environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for hands-on tasks! During the interview, they might ask you about your cooking skills or how you handle busy service times. Brush up on your food prep knowledge and be ready to discuss how you manage pressure in a kitchen setting.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're keen and makes it easier for us to keep track of your interest in joining the Palmer & Howells family.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: Let us know why you're excited about food preparation and cooking! Share any experiences or interests that highlight your enthusiasm for creating delicious, nutritious meals.
Highlight Teamwork Skills: Since we value collaboration, make sure to mention any past experiences where you worked as part of a team. We want to see how you can contribute to our friendly kitchen crew!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, so we can easily see how you fit into our dynamic role.
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 from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Palmer & Howells
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of food and ingredients that Palmer & Howells uses. Being able to discuss your favourite dishes or how you would prepare certain meals can show your genuine interest in food preparation and cooking.
✨Teamwork is Key
Since this role emphasises collaboration, think of examples from your past experiences where you worked effectively in a team. Be ready to share how you contributed to a positive team environment, especially in a busy kitchen setting.
✨Health & Safety Awareness
Brush up on basic Health & Safety principles relevant to food preparation. Even if you don’t have a Food Safety Level 2 certificate yet, showing that you understand the importance of hygiene and safety in the kitchen will impress your interviewers.
✨Be Adaptable
Prepare to discuss how you handle varied workloads and adapt to changing situations. Share specific examples of times when you had to think on your feet, especially during busy service periods, to demonstrate your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.