Casual Food Service Assistant

Downing College; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

Downing College in Cambridge seeks a Casual Food Service Assistant to support our front-of-house catering team, delivering high-quality service at conferences, weddings and college events. You will handle tea/coffee, buffets and plate service with clear instruction and teamwork.

Full training will be provided, with shifts offered on an as-needed basis. This casual role offers flexible weekday, evening and weekend shifts around other commitments; a typical day depends on events, and we aim to

Qualifications

• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Tea and coffee service, buffet, plate and silver service waiting, cleaning and food prep.
• Assist with conferences, weddings and other functions.
• Full training will be provided.
• Shifts offered on an as-needed basis with a minimum of two shifts per week.
• Flexibility for weekdays, evenings and weekends across term time.

Job description

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Information for the role of Casual Food Service Assistant

£14.52 per hour (£12.96 per hour plus £1.56 holiday pay)

An opportunity to support our friendly Catering Front-of-house team who prepare and serve a range of high-quality food, including fine dining, to the College community and commercial guests in a stunning environment. The team of casual workers typically assist in respect of conferences, weddings and other functions and can also backfill for permanent catering staff.

Typical duties can include tea and coffee service, buffet, plate and silver service waiting, cleaning and food prep, according to need. You will receive full training and will have the opportunity to learn and develop skills and techniques from the rest of the team.

Shifts are offered on an ‘as needed’ basis and this is a role that could fit around other commitments, so long as you can typically accept offers of at least two shifts per week. We offer flexible casual shifts across weekdays, evenings and weekends, arranged in advance weekly.

Weekday daytime availability during term time is particularly valuable, and the role may suit someone returning to work after a career break or looking to fit employment around other commitments.

We are seeking individuals with excellent customer service and communication skills, who enjoy working as part of a team. This is a casual role - there are no guaranteed hours of work and there is no obligation to accept all shifts that may be offered. Work may be offered for any day of the week, including weekends, and can be for late/early shifts.

Closing date:

midday on Tuesday 29 September 2026. Please note that the closing date for this post may be brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

Applications are welcomed from a broad range of backgrounds. Applicants who declare a disability will be offered an interview if they meet the minimum criteria for the role.

For further information or in event of queries, please contact the HR Office: