Catering Assistant

BASE71 Barnsley Youth Zone; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused youth center in Barnsley is seeking Catering Assistants to join their café team. The café serves not just meals, but also creates a welcoming environment for young people aged 8–19 (or up to 25 with additional needs). Responsibilities include preparing and serving affordable nutritious meals, supporting events, maintaining a clean café, and engaging with young patrons to foster a positive atmosphere. Experience in catering and strong communication skills are essential for this fulfilling role.

Qualifications

• Experience working as a cook in a commercial kitchen is preferred.
• Willingness to quickly achieve a Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Friendly, reliable, and capable of creating a welcoming space.

Responsibilities

• Help prepare and serve nutritious meals while keeping the café clean.
• Support events and serve at the tuck shop.
• Ensure café operations run smoothly.
• Engage with young people to foster a positive atmosphere.

Skills

Experience in a catering environment

Great communication skills

Teamwork

Food Hygiene Certificate

Ability to create a positive atmosphere

Job description

Barnsley Youth Zone is dedicated to young people and makes a bold statement about the importance of giving young people high quality places to go in their leisure time. Open 7 days a week including school holidays, the Youth Zone’s purpose is to help young people grow to be happy, healthy and successful adults. The state of the art £10 million building provides young people with facilities that are second to none delivering over twenty sporting, artistic, cultural and general recreational activities each session. Offering young people the opportunity to try new things, meet new friends and gain support from friendly, warm and positive staff and volunteers.

About the Role

Do you have a passion for food, great service, and creating welcoming spaces for young people? We’re looking for Catering Assistants to join the café team at Base71 Youth Zone – the beating heart of our brand-new £10 million facility. Our café isn’t just about meals – it’s about connection, providing affordable, healthy food, and creating a second home for young people aged 8–19 (or up to 25 with additional needs).

Responsibilities

• Help prepare and serve tasty, nutritious meals for just £1, while ensuring the café is always clean, safe, and inviting.
• Support events and serve at the tuck shop.
• Keep everything stocked and running smoothly.
• Chat with young people to make them feel at home and create a positive, inclusive atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a catering environment, ideally as a cook in a commercial kitchen.
• Great communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
• Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to achieve quickly).
• Repertoire of affordable, nutritious meals.
• Friendly, reliable, and positive approach.
• Experience supporting or mentoring volunteers is desirable.
• Training will be provided around safeguarding, health & safety, and best practice in catering.