At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and serve delicious food and drinks while creating a welcoming atmosphere.
- Company: HomeGround Café, a vibrant community space supporting YMCA Milton Keynes.
- Benefits: Flexible zero-hours contract, training opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Perfect for students seeking flexible work in a busy café setting.
- Why this job: Join us to make a real difference in the community while enjoying flexible hours.
- Qualifications: Friendly, reliable, and passionate about food and customer service.
The predicted salary is between 10 - 12 £ per hour.
HomeGround Café is more than just a café. It’s a vibrant community space where great food, excellent coffee and warm customer service come together, all while supporting the work of YMCA Milton Keynes. We’re looking for reliable Café Assistants to join our team. Whether you’re an experienced café worker or someone who loves good food, coffee, people and a fast-paced environment, this could be the perfect fit. Every shift you work helps us create a welcoming environment for our community and supports young people to thrive.
The Role
As a Café Assistant, you’ll play a key role in delivering a brilliant experience for every customer. Your work will be varied, hands‑on and rewarding. This is a zero‑hours contract, meaning we will offer you shifts when they are available and you can choose whether or not you accept them. We are open 7 days a week, and have working patterns to suit everyone.
You’ll be involved in:
- Preparing and serving high-quality food and drinks
- Supporting breakfast and lunch service in a busy kitchen
- Serving customers with warmth, efficiency and professionalism
- Handling cash and card payments confidently
- Keeping the café and kitchen clean, safe and well organised
- Delivering food to tables and supporting takeaway service
- Opening and closing the kitchen when required
This is a zero‑hours role, ideal if you’re looking for flexibility. Shifts may include weekdays, weekends, early mornings and occasional evenings.
What We’re Looking For
- Friendly, approachable and confident with customers
- A team player who’s happy to muck in and support others
- Hard working
- Comfortable in a busy environment
- Reliable, flexible and proactive
- Passionate about food, coffee and great service
Experience in a café, kitchen or hospitality setting is highly desirable, but training will be provided, including food hygiene, COSHH and Barista skills.
Why Join Us?
- Flexible, zero-hours work to suit your availability
- Central Milton Keynes location – off Silbury Boulevard with easy parking
- A supportive, friendly team environment
- Training and development opportunities
- The chance to work somewhere that genuinely makes a difference
- A café with purpose, values and community at its core
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe Assistant (Flexible Hours)
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at YMCA South Midlands and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Cafe Assistant (Flexible Hours)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at YMCA South Midlands that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at YMCA South Midlands.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at YMCA South Midlands get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at YMCA South Midlands
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at YMCA South Midlands and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
