General Assistant in Oakham

Join to apply for the General Assistant role at Wilson Vale

We are currently recruiting for a General Assistant to join our team at one of our restaurants/cafes in Oakham, LE15 6US. This is a permanent position working 8 hours per week, Saturday and/or Sunday between 8am and 4pm.

Wilson Vale is an established, quality-led contract caterer. We work with amazing clients across the UK who place huge value on great food as a key part of their culture and community. We work in office restaurants, independent schools and at conference venues with the same high-end ethos throughout. We prepare a wide range of quality food, including classical cakes, bakes and sweet treats, globally-influenced hot counter dishes, and a selection of chilled and toasted sandwiches. Our friendly catering team serves up to 100 customers daily and prides itself on delivering excellent service and well-presented food.

We are looking for an experienced and reliable General Assistant to support both kitchen and front-of-house operations. This is a hands‑on role working across food preparation, customer service, dishwashing, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Duty Chef with basic food preparation, including vegetable prep, portioning, and simple plating.
• Help with kitchen organisation by restocking ingredients, replenishing consumables, and keeping storage areas tidy.
• Maintain clean workspaces in accordance with food hygiene standards.
• Follow all allergen, temperature control, cross‑contamination, and kitchen safety procedures.
• Operate the commercial dishwasher and manage crockery, cutlery, utensils, pots and pans.
• Keep the wash‑up area clear and organised to ensure efficient service.
• Clean kitchen equipment and surfaces as per cleaning schedules.
• Complete end‑of‑shift duties including waste disposal, floor cleaning, and sanitizing preparation areas.
• Operate the till accurately, handling cash and card payments.
• Support customer service during busy periods with a polite and professional manner.
• Refill counter displays and maintain tidy, well‑presented customer areas.
• Communicate effectively with kitchen staff and chefs to maintain smooth service flow.

Key Standards & Skills

• Adhere to all food safety, health & safety, and COSHH regulations.
• Work efficiently during peak periods while maintaining high‑quality standards.
• Behave professionally and contribute positively to team culture.
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and flexibility to support varied tasks.
• Experience in a fast‑paced catering or hospitality environment.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of food hygiene and safe working practices (training provided).
• Organised, proactive, and able to prioritise under pressure.

Perks

• Fun and inspiring working environment with excellent career development opportunities.
• Craft Works – Free craft‑focused career development training programme.
• Paid training bespoke to you.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme – your wellbeing is very important to us.
• Online employee benefits scheme – monetary savings on everyday items!
• Your birthday off every year after 1 year’s service.
• Enhanced maternity pay.

Wilson Vale is an equal opportunities employer that strives to create an inclusive working environment for all. We are committed to supporting our people and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. From each and every person in our catering teams, to our operations and central support teams – everyone at has a voice.

Seniority Level

Entry level

Employment Type

Part‑time

Job Function

Administrative

Industry

Restaurants