Catering Assistant - Oxford

Job Title: Catering Assistant
Location: Prestigious College
Salary: £12.60 per hour (£26,208 per annum)
Contract Type: Full time, permanent 
Hours: 40 hours per week, working 5 days out of 7 including weekends

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Front of House team at a prestigious college within the University of Oxford as a Catering Assistant. You will play a key role in delivering a full catering service to students, staff, fellows, and college guests across the Cafeteria and Bar.

As this role involves handling alcohol, applicants must be aged 18 or over.

We’re looking for someone with excellent communication, time management, and organisational skills, along with a positive and flexible attitude. The ability to work well under pressure and as part of a team is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Front of House Manager or Deputy with food and beverage service across college dining areas.
• Operate the cash register for student meal and snack purchases when required.
• Assist with catering for conference delegates, internal and external events, fine dining, and weddings.
• Set out place names for formal dining under instruction.
• Occasionally move or rearrange furniture (manual handling training provided).
• Liaise with chefs regarding special dietary requirements.
• Coordinate with the kitchen team on service times, crockery needs, and stock levels for linen and glassware.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety, COSHH, and Food Hygiene regulations.
• Adhere to college security and fire regulations.
• Report maintenance, hygiene, and hazard issues to the Front of House Manager.
• Carry out any other duties of a similar nature as required.

Requirements

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience in catering or a college environment.
• Excellent time management and organisational abilities.
• Honest, trustworthy, reliable, enthusiastic, and self-motivated.
• Flexible approach and ability to work under pressure.
• Capable of working independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality customer service and continuous improvement.
• Ability to prioritise tasks during busy periods.
• Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene for Catering.
• Experience with cash handling.
• Knowledge of allergen legislation.
• Barista trained or willing to undertake training.

Pre-Employment Screening

If offered the role, your employment will be subject to standard pre-employment checks. You will be asked to provide:

• Proof of your right to work in the UK
• Proof of identity
• Contact details for referees (if not already provided)

If you're ready to take the next step in your culinary career and thrive in a supportive, quality-driven kitchen, we’d love to hear from you.

Pineapple Recruitment is acting as a Recruitment Agency on behalf of our client for this vacancy.