The Role:
Standing with Giants is returning to Waddesdon Manor between 21 October – 29 November, and we are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our front-of-house Catering team and play a key part in delivering exceptional experiences for our guests during this time. The Standing with Giants display commemorates the lives lost on D-Day, and works to raise understanding and appreciation of our freedom.
Waddesdon Manor offers welcoming and relaxed dining experiences across the estate, whether guests are stopping for a hot drink and cake at Courtyard Coffee, enjoying a leisurely lunch in the Stables Café and Takeaway, or indulging in our traditional afternoon tea at the Manor Restaurant. Our restaurant serves up to 180 covers during peak service, with a seasonally inspired menu featuring light bites, classic dishes, and freshly prepared sweet treats. Across our locations we combine warm, attentive service with our commitment to quality and provenance, ensuring that everyone feels equally welcome.
What you will do:
As a Food and Beverage Catering Assistant, you will be the friendly face that greets every guest across our catering locations, whether they are enjoying a quick refreshment or a more leisurely dining experience. You will provide warm, attentive service and ensure that each interaction reflects our commitment to excellence by demonstrating a strong knowledge of our menus and confidently assisting guests with recommendations. You’ll work collaboratively with the team at The Five Arrows and The Bow when required to support the wider mission of the Rothschild Foundation.
Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Greet visitors and make them feel welcome by proactively engaging and interacting with them
- Offer assistance and respond to visitor queries about the food and drinks menu by ensuring your product and stock knowledge is kept up to date
- Handle questions, feedback or occasional complaints professionally and with care
- Follow all the necessary processes and procedures, including Health & Safety and Hygiene legislation, to keep the catering areas running smoothly
- Serve food and drink promptly and with attention to detail
- Operate tills and process payments accurately and efficiently
- Ensure food and stock presentation meets our brand guidance and KPIs
- Identify any stock going out of date and ensure stock is rotated accordingly
- Help set up and close down areas quickly and efficiently
- Help keep all tables, counters, till and service areas clean and well presented
- Assist with basic food preparation when needed
- Maintain a clean and organised front-of-house environment
- Attend Rothschild Foundation training sessions, and read and comply with all necessary policy and compliance documents
This list is not exhaustive and additional duties may be required by the management team.
You will be a great fit if:
You thrive in a customer-facing role and genuinely enjoy interacting with people and creating exceptional experiences for guests. You have a positive attitude, love working as part of team, and you take pride in keeping your workspace and location clean, organised, and welcoming. You will enjoy acting as a representative of Waddesdon Manor and the Rothschild Foundation, taking care to maintain a professional appearance in line with our smart standard of dress and conduct.
Please note that you have to be able to work weekends to apply for this role.
Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter for this role:
- A naturally friendly and approachable personality, with a customer-first attitude
- You are able to stay calm and focused in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards, or a willingness to learn
- Confidence in operating tills (training will be provided)
- Ability to holistically increase sales by engaging with customers
- This role involves standing for extending periods and light lifting when necessary
- Barista experience – training will be provided
Additional Requirements:
The safety and wellbeing of children, young people, and vulnerable adults are of the utmost importance for any role at the Rothschild Foundation, Waddesdon Manor.Consequently,this position may require a basic or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to uphold the safety and security of all our guests,staffand volunteers.
Rewards for working with us:
- We are proud of where we work and want to share Waddesdon Manor with family and friends by offeringa number ofcomplimentary tickets to the house and grounds.
- Waddesdon Manor Discounts– 50% discount in the food-to-go outlets at the Manor. 20% in the Manor gift shop and restaurant, Stables Café, Five Arrows Hotel, and The Bow Pub. 20% discount on special event tickets made available to staff.
- Staff Card–A National Trust staff card entitles two adults and children under 18 years of age free admission to all National Trust properties and 20% discount in NT retail and catering outlets.
- Annual Leave–Your statutory annual leave is 28 days (20 days plus 8 public holidays), or 5.6 weeks. This will be pro-rated based on actual hours you work. If you work a public holiday, you will be paid double your hourly rate, but your statutory annual leave entitlement will reduce accordingly (i.e. you are being paid double on that date, so therefore not entitled to holiday pay or TOIL for that date).
- Pension–We will top up your pension by matching any contribution you make, up to 10% of your basic salary.
- Long Service Awards– every 5 years of service, you are invited to a celebration to recognise your contribution to the organisation. A cash sum is awarded as a thank you.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Support–access to a wellbeing platform and fully funded 1:1 counselling service.
- Flu Jabs–free flu jabs in October.
- Share of the discretionary service charge
EDI
At the Rothschild Foundation, we place Equality, Inclusion and Diversity at the core of our values.We strive to be anorganisationthat actively addresses inequality and prejudice while fostering a truly anti-racist culture. Our approach is centered on meaningful andequitablesupport and development for you and others throughout your time with us. We are committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, where every team member feels valued,respected,and has a true sense of belonging.
