Assistant Restaurant Manager - The Botanical Rooms

The Botanical Rooms at The Newt in Somerset; Castle Cary; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury flagship restaurant in Castle Cary is seeking an Assistant Restaurant Manager to lead the floor and oversee high-energy service. The ideal candidate will mentor and develop a talented team while ensuring guest satisfaction and operational excellence. Experience in a supervisory role within a luxury restaurant is essential. This position offers a competitive salary and a range of fantastic benefits.

Benefits

Complimentary gym access

Discounted hotel stays

Complimentary staff meals

Employee Appreciation Programme

Regular team engagement activities

Qualifications

• Strong communicator who inspires and leads by example.
• Genuine passion for food, wine and hospitality.
• Proven supervisory experience in a luxury restaurant.
• Excellent attention to detail and solid computer literacy.

Responsibilities

• Lead smooth daily service and coordinate with senior floor staff.
• Champion guest experience and manage expectations.
• Mentor, train and develop the FOH team.
• Maintain deep menu knowledge and ensure confident guest communication.
• Ensure H&S compliance and effective use of systems.

Skills

Strong communicator

Passion for food and wine

Proven supervisory experience

Attention to detail

Confident in team performance management

Education

WSET Level 1

WSET Level 2+ / hospitality qualification

Tools

ResDiary

Job description

Assistant Restaurant Manager – The Botanical Rooms

£35,020 per annum plus tronc and fantastic benefits

40 hours per week across 5 days, including regular evenings and weekends

Due to the location of the Estate a driving license is recommended for this role

Advert closes: 6 October 2025

Lead the floor, delight our guests, and grow an extraordinary team at The Newt’s luxury flagship restaurant.

Overview

Our Assistant Restaurant Manager

As Assistant Restaurant Manager, you’ll be the right hand to our Restaurant Manager—championing standards, motivating a talented 30-strong Front of House, and delivering seamless, high-energy service in The Botanical Rooms. You’ll mentor the team, fine-tune systems, and keep service gliding from breakfast through dinner, all while telling the story of our estate and its produce to create unforgettable experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead smooth daily service and coordinate with senior floor staff.
• Champion guest experience—manage expectations, feedback and continuous improvements.
• Mentor, train and develop the FOH team; conduct regular 1:1s to drive retention.
• Support recruitment and onboarding of new team members.
• Maintain deep menu knowledge and ensure confident, engaging guest communication.
• Uphold and evolve service standards befitting The Newt’s principal restaurant.
• Assist with rotas, holidays and labour cost control; stock and financial procedures.
• Ensure H&S compliance and effective use of systems

Benefits

• A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
• Stay in shape with our complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes
• Complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and 50% off Spa Treatments.
• 30% discount and free delivery for online purchases; estate shop and online shop discounts for staff.
• Discounted hotel stays for staff with an additional 30% discount at our restaurants.
• Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and partner gardens (Eden Project, Kew Gardens, The Lost Gardens of Heligan).
• Complimentary staff meal each shift.
• Employee Appreciation Programme and opportunities to win rewards including a complimentary hotel stay.
• Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
• Regular team engagement activities including Fun Squad events.
• Up to 30 days annual leave for full-time team.

What we’re looking for

• Strong communicator who inspires and leads by example; calm under pressure and highly organised.
• Genuine passion for food, wine and hospitality with a professional, approachable demeanour.
• Proven supervisory experience in a luxury restaurant.
• Confident in team performance management, training and scheduling.
• Excellent attention to detail and solid computer literacy.
• Bonus skills: ResDiary, strong barista skills, wine service knowledge.
• Qualifications: WSET Level 1 (desired: WSET Level 2+ / hospitality qualification).
• Flexible, positive and guest-obsessed mindset and eager to grow with the business.

Where you’ll be working

Located within Hadspen House, the Botanical Rooms showcases the very best of high-end, contemporary British cuisine in a refined yet welcoming setting. With a 60-cover dining room, the restaurant offers guests a luxurious experience where seasonal menus celebrate produce from the Estate and trusted local suppliers. Every dish reflects a commitment to quality, provenance, and creativity, ensuring a dining experience that is both memorable and unique.

Who are we – The Newt in Somerset

Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions - accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home-away-from-home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt's essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams - from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming - collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences.

INDAVR