Catering Assistant - Maternity Cover

About the role

We are currently seeking a Catering Assistant to join our Leisure, Catering and Events Services department at The Bedford College Group as Maternity Cover. As a Catering Assistant, you play an important role in the success of our students through: Food Preparation & Service Delivery, Kitchen Operations & Stock Management, Customer Experience & Sales Support, Food Hygiene, Health & Safety Compliance, and Professionalism & Team Contribution.

Key responsibilities include assisting with food preparation, cooking, and presentation, serving food and beverages to customers, supporting hospitality functions, and maintaining high standards of customer service. You will also support day-to-day kitchen operations, create a welcoming environment for customers and visitors, and maintain high standards of cleanliness, food hygiene, and safe working practices.

Responsibilities

• Assist with food preparation, cooking, and presentation
• Serve food and beverages to customers while supporting hospitality functions
• Support day-to-day kitchen operations through stock checks, delivery management, equipment use, and ensuring catering facilities remain clean, organised, and fully operational
• Create a welcoming environment for customers and visitors
• Respond professionally to queries and complaints, and support promotions, events, and sales initiatives
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food hygiene, and safe working practices, ensuring compliance with health & safety regulations and reporting any concerns appropriately
• Work flexibly as part of the catering team, support colleagues during busy periods, maintain professional standards, and uphold safeguarding, EDI, and training requirements

Requirements

• Experience delivering excellent customer care, handling payments through POS and PDQ systems, and maintaining professional interactions with customers in busy service environments
• Knowledge and experience of food preparation, cooking techniques, kitchen operations, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety
• Competent in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, with the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, multitask effectively, and follow instructions accurately
• Strong team player with the ability to adapt to changing priorities, work flexible hours to meet service demands, and contribute positively to overall team performance
• Proactive, enthusiastic, and physically capable of frequent lifting tasks, with a commitment to continuous learning, skills development, and maintaining high professional standards

Qualifications

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Benefits

• People’s pension
• Retail and Leisure Discounts
• Excellent professional and personal development opportunities
• Accessing college courses

Pay

Salary is between £26,510 and £28,482 per annum (Pro-Rata) DOE and Qualifications.

Schedule

30 hours per week – 36 weeks per year – 08.00 to 14.30 Monday to Friday. Contract Type: Fixed Term – Part Time – Fixed until 08 March 2027.