Café Assistant

AD WARRIOR; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization in Rotherham seeks a dedicated Café Assistant to prepare, cook, and serve homemade meals and baked goods. You will ensure excellent food quality and customer service in a welcoming café environment, contributing to meaningful experiences for patients and visitors. The ideal candidate will have experience in a café or hospitality, strong baking skills, and an understanding of food hygiene. This permanent role involves 40 hours of work per week and is critical to fostering a supportive community atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Experience in a café, hospitality, or customer service environment is essential.
• Knowledge of food hygiene, safety, and cleanliness requirements is crucial.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and present meals to a high standard.
• Bake and produce a variety of homemade cakes and pastries.
• Serve customers professionally in a welcoming atmosphere.

Skills

Previous experience in a café

Confident baking skills

Strong understanding of food hygiene

Excellent customer service skills

Strong communication skills

Education

Food safety qualifications (e.g. Level 2 Food Hygiene)

Job description

Café Assistant

Location: Rotherham, S60 2SW

Salary: £25,466.66 per annum

Hours of Work: 40 Hours per week – 7am to 7pm, 4 days one week, 3 days the other

Vacancy Type: Permanent

The organisation is a charity dedicated to the people of Rotherham, offering specialist palliative and end of life care to their community since 1996.

About the Role

To assist in the preparation, cooking, and service of homemade meals and baked goods for patients, visitors, volunteers, and staff. The postholder will work as part of a skilled and supportive team in both the hospice kitchen and the busy public café, ensuring excellent standards of food quality, customer service, and hygiene at all times. At the organisation, their café spaces are more than just places to grab a coffee; they are community hubs where staff, patients, families, and supporters come together. As a Café Assistant, you play a key role in creating a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment, ensuring every visitor experiences kindness and excellent service. In line with their Living Life’s Wishes strategy, this role is about more than food and drink; it’s about making every moment meaningful for those who need them.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and present meals to a high standard for both patients and café customers
• Confidently bake and produce a range of homemade cakes, pastries, and confectionery in-house
• Work efficiently in a fast-paced catering environment, adapting quickly to operational demands
• Support the production of texture-modified meals, including Level 4 pureed diets (training provided if required)
• Serve customers professionally and maintain a welcoming atmosphere in the café
• Maintain high levels of kitchen cleanliness and adhere to food hygiene and infection control standards
• Support stock rotation, deliveries, food storage, and general kitchen organisation
• Operate café and kitchen equipment safely, including tills and coffee machines
• Work collaboratively as part of a flexible team, supporting events and peak service times

Person Specification

Essential:

• Previous experience in a café, hospitality, or customer service environment
• Confident baking skills with the ability to prepare a variety of fresh homemade products
• Strong understanding of food hygiene, safety, and cleanliness requirements
• Ability to prioritise tasks and remain calm under pressure in a fast-moving environment
• Strong communication skills and a positive, team-focused attitude
• Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to interact professionally and compassionately with patients, visitors, staff, and volunteers

Desirable:

• Experience with Level 4 pureed meals or texture-modified diets
• Food safety qualifications (e.g. Level 2 Food Hygiene)
• Customer service experience in a café or similar environment
• Ability to drive and access a vehicle

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this organisation, please do not hesitate to apply.