Seasonal Food & Beverage Catering Assistant (Sommelier and Chef Jobs: Restaurants)

Job Title: Seasonal Food & Beverage Catering Assistant
Managed by: Restaurant Managers/Supervisors

Department(s): Manor Restaurant, Stables Location: Waddesdon
Café, and Food-to-Go outlets

Overall Purpose

We are looking for a forward thinking, customer focused individual who wants to play a key role in delivering truly exceptional customer service alongside brilliant colleagues in a stunning
location. We are looking for positive, helpful and kind individuals who enjoy what they do, and are passionate about making our visitors experience memorable.

The Catering Assistant understands their role as an ambassador for Waddesdon and displays pride in our products, services and delivery of exceptional customer service. As part of the
team, you will effortlessly help our guests throughout their visit by maintaining the highest level of product knowledge and customer service.

Key responsibilities:

Service and Responsibilities

•  Excellent service is your primary responsibility at Waddesdon. You need to be: friendly and welcoming. Smile. Make eye contact. Efficient and prompt. Look for work to do. Be proactive and think ahead. Clean as you go.
•  You must be knowledgeable about the food and wine on the menu, and aware of changes when they happen. You must be able to answer a customer’s questions. Know what you are serving. Training will be provided.
•  Be polite and helpful at all times.
• Communicate effectively with the customer, the kitchen and other staff.
• Make great tasting coffee for which training will be provided.
• Follow the dishwashing stacking system to assist speed of service.
• You must maintain a clean workspace at all times in line with hygiene standards.
• Follow all presentation standards for each location as instructed by your line manager

Relationships

• Maintain good working relationships with all members of the Waddesdon staff, visitors and other members of the public.

Finance

• To look after stock and to help catering improve its revenue. This can be done by checking products, always checking bills, reducing waste, and by encouraging sales.
• You will be handling cash and card payments.

Environmental Awareness

• All staff are expected to observe the policy and practices for the protection and improvement of the environment.

Personal

• You are expected to be punctual, dressed appropriately and adhere to the requirements of appearance in line with hygiene standards.
• You are expected to attend all departmental training sessions and competed all mandatory e-learning training.
• You are required to attend Estate-wide and Departmental team briefings
• You will have a basic knowledge of Waddesdon Manor, including the areas of interest within the grounds.

This list is not exhaustive and additional duties may be required by the management team.

Characteristics & Experience
Essential

• Excellent customer service and confident people skills
• Ability to holistically increase sales by engaging with customers
• High visual standards and attention to detail
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills
• Good levels of numeracy
• Good communication skills
• Capable of multi-tasking and prioritising
• Understand how working as part of a team is the most effective way of succeeding and developing within this role

Desirable

• Awareness of Health & Safety and Food Hygiene requirements
• Previous experience of working in a similar role in either a café or restaurant environment
• Barista experience would be beneficial, although training will be provided.

Terms & Conditions:

Contract Type: Seasonal Flexible

Salary: £11.44 per hour

Hours: Extra hours may be available as holiday cover on a Wednesday to Sunday rota, including Public Holidays (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day) and the occasional shift outside of the normal rota, as required by the business. Hours may vary and cannot be guaranteed.
Your pay will reflect the hours you work. Hours of work to suit the
needs of the business (exclusive of breaks).

Annual Leave: Your statutory annual leave entitlement is 28 days (20 days plus 8 public holidays), or 5.6 weeks. This will be pro-rated based on actual hours you work. If you work a public holiday, you will be paid double your hourly rate, but your statutory annual leave entitlement will reduce accordingly (i.e. you are being paid double on that date, so therefore not entitled to holiday pay or TOIL far that date).

Benefits:

• 50% Discount in Food 2 Go Catering, 20% in the manor restaurant, Manor Shops and Five Arrows Hotel.
• Company Pension Scheme, matched contribution up to 10%
• Excellent wellbeing support and a focus on staff engagement
• National Trust Staff Card – provides access to NT properties in the UK.
• Beautiful location working within the charity and heritage sector.
• Free parking