Apprentice Catering Assistant - Stafford

Compass Group PLC; England; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in the UK seeks an apprentice catering assistant to join a passionate team. The role involves preparing high-quality food and supporting chefs in kitchen tasks. Candidates should possess basic culinary skills and a dedication to customer service. Full training is provided, leading to a Production Chef Level 2 qualification. This is a full-time apprenticeship lasting 1–2 years with varied benefits, including a pension scheme and discounts.

Benefits

Financial wellbeing programme

Free annual healthcare check

Discounted health cash plan

Pension scheme and Life Assurance

Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site

Ongoing training & development

Qualifications

• Skilled in basic culinary knife techniques.
• Foundational understanding of catering operations, including food preparation, presentation, and service.
• Experience in catering environments with a solid understanding of food service operations and customer care.
• Passion for great-tasting food and exceptional customer service.

Responsibilities

• Preparing delicious high quality food that delights our client and customers.
• Support chefs in daily kitchen tasks including cooking assistance and post-service clean-up.
• Monitor inventories to keep kitchens well-stocked.
• Comply with Food Handling, Hygiene and Health and Safety regulations.

Skills

Basic culinary knife techniques

Understanding of catering operations

Customer care

Passion for food and customer service

Job description

Overview

As an apprentice catering assistant you will be working in a passionate and hard-working team to create an outstanding culinary experience for our customers. You will have the chance to progress your career with a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate. Full training will be provided as part of the apprenticeship. On completion, you will achieve the Production Chef Level 2 and become a qualified catering assistant.

Responsibilities

• Preparing delicious high quality food that delights our client and customers.
• Actively supporting chefs in daily kitchen tasks including mise en place, cooking assistance, and post-service clean-up.
• Supporting customer satisfaction through direct service.
• Handling customer payments and processing transactions using till systems.
• Daily kitchen tasks such as pot washing and cleaning.
• Monitoring inventories to keep kitchens well-stocked.
• Overseeing kitchen cleaning responsibilities to maintain hygiene standards.
• Complying with Food Handling, Hygiene and Health and Safety regulations.

Qualifications / Ideal Candidate

• Skilled in basic culinary knife techniques.
• Foundational understanding of catering operations, including food preparation, presentation, and service.
• Experience in catering environments with a solid understanding of food service operations and customer care.
• Passion for great-tasting food and exceptional customer service.

Details

• Contracted to 30 hours per week (full-time basis).
• Full training and coaching provided through the apprenticeship.
• Apprenticeship duration: 1–2 years depending on level and hours.

Special Requirements

• EU resident for the last three years.
• Permanent employment contract.
• Minimum of 16 hours per week.
• Basic English and maths skills.

About Compass Group UK & I

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance. We celebrate diversity and aim to help colleagues reach their full potential.

Benefits

• Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products
• Aviva Digicare – Free annual healthcare check
• Medicash – Discounted health cash plan
• Pension scheme and Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Sharebuy Scheme
• Recognition awards including Be a Star and Long Service Awards
• Employee networks and wellbeing services
• Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
• Entertainment, Health & Wellbeing and Travel discounts
• Shopping discounts for high street and online stores
• Vodafone discounts
• Ongoing training & development and career pathways