Front of House Assistant (2220) in Sidmouth

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life‑enhancing relationships.

We are heading into our busy season and are looking for friendly and proactive team players with a strong customer service ethic to join our team at our award‑winning restaurant, The Kitchen. As Front of House Assistant, you will ensure excellent customer service is delivered by giving a warm welcome to all visitors, engaging them in the charity at every opportunity and ensuring that service exceeds customers’ expectations at all times.

About you

• Experience of working front of house in a high-volume catering operation.
• Excellent customer service skills, including experience of dealing with enquiries and complaints from members of the public.
• Good organisational skills.
• Self‑motivated.
• Great interpersonal skills – able to establish, build and maintain successful relationships with staff, supporters and visitors.

About the role

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:

• Serving food and beverages to customers, including barista coffee, to a consistently high standard.
• Delivering food and beverages to tables and clearing trays.
• Ensuring secure cash handling and efficient and accurate use of the till.
• Keeping the front of house and counter areas clean, cleaning and maintaining equipment and keeping records as required in compliance with food hygiene regulations.
• Assisting with putting away deliveries and ensuring stock rotation.
• Assisting with food preparation as required.
• Carrying out dishwashing duties to a high standard.

The role is based on site at our Sidmouth location, which is not easily accessible via public transport, so a current UK driving licence would be desirable. This role will not include evening working or split‑shifts.

What we offer in return

• This is a part‑time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working a guaranteed minimum of 12 hours per week across a 7-day rota.
• The working hours and pattern will be agreed between the line manager and post-holder, but flexibility will be required for weekend working.
• It is anticipated that additional hours will be available during busy periods.
• Life Assurance.
• 31 Days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
• Recorded Pilates classes.
• Long Service Awards.
• Healthshield Plan – including reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership, offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets and access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
• Free Parking.
• Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Monday 1 June 2026. The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer. The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post. The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.