Catering Assistant

Job Description

Looking to start or grow your career in healthcare catering? Join North Bristol NHS Trust as a Catering Assistant, where you’ll play a key role in food preparation and service across our kitchens and wards. This Catering Assistant position offers training, support, and a welcoming environment in one of the UK’s top hospital trusts. Apply early, as applications may close once sufficient interest is received.

 Your Responsibilities as a Catering Assistant

As a Catering Assistant, you’ll support patient meal service, work in kitchen and dining areas, and handle basic food preparation. Your tasks will include:

• Assisting in kitchens, ward areas, and stores

• Serving food, garnishing meals, and preparing salads and cold desserts

• Using cash tills, cleaning kitchen areas and equipment

• Handling special diets, allergens, and last-minute dietary changes

• Maintaining food hygiene, temperature checks, and cleanliness standards

• Operating dishwashers, vending machines, and floor cleaning machines

 Skills, Training & Experience for a Catering Assistant

To succeed in the Catering Assistant role, you’ll need:

• Basic literacy, numeracy, and verbal communication skills

• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced catering environment

• Experience in catering (within the last 3 years)

• Willingness to undertake 3-month structured training, including Food Hygiene Level 2

• Ability to use catering equipment like slicing machines, kettles, and ovens

• Awareness of food safety, allergens, and dietary requirements

• Professional attitude, teamwork, and initiative in daily tasks

Working as a Catering Assistant at North Bristol NHS Trust

At North Bristol NHS Trust, we provide care to over 500,000 residents and are a recognised centre for trauma, renal, and neonatal care. We are committed to inclusion and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. As a Catering Assistant, you’ll be part of a caring and collaborative team dedicated to exceptional patient service.

You’ll also:

• Serve patients, staff, and guests with professionalism

• Handle kitchen tasks independently or as part of a team

• Attend departmental meetings to contribute ideas

• Follow all NHS safety, food hygiene, and manual handling procedures

• Maintain personal hygiene and wear correct uniform

Additional Details

• You must be eligible for a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate within 3 months

• Shortlisting favours those with recent catering experience (within last 6 months)

• Check your TRAC and email (including spam) regularly for updates

• AI-generated applications must be declared

• Travel expenses for interviews are not reimbursed

• Applications may close early due to high volume