Catering Assistant

Grow and Thrive Limited; Colchester; On-site; GBP 6,000 - 9,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspens Services, a market-leading contract caterer specializing in school food, is seeking a Catering Assistant in Colchester to support our kitchen in basic food preparation and deliver excellent service during the lunchtime rush. You will join a busy team and help ensure a smooth service for students and staff.

You will interact with pupils and staff at the tills, provide friendly service, and assist with basic food prep while upholding health and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or fast-paced service.
• Team player in a busy environment.
• Basic knowledge of health and safety practices.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Food Hygiene Level 2 desirable; training provided.

Responsibilities

• Customer Interaction: Working on the tills during service (training provided).
• Front-Line Service: Providing friendly, polite customer service to all students and staff.
• Essential Support: Assisting the team with basic food preparation.
• Maintaining Standards: Ensuring a safe, clean kitchen environment and Health and Safety compliance.

Skills

Team player

Catering experience

Health and safety basics

Driving licence

Food Hygiene Level 2

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Colchester

Aspens Services is a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food. We don't just serve meals—we create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest food trends, we encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen.

Our commitment to quality care for both clients and children has fueled rapid growth, and we are looking for passionate people like you to join our journey.

The role:

As a Catering Assistant, you will be a vital part of the team, supporting our kitchen in basic food preparation and delivering excellent service that makes the lunchtime rush run smoothly.

You’ll be making a real difference through responsibilities that include:

• Customer Interaction: Working on the tills during service (don’t worry, full training is provided!).
• Front-Line Service: Providing friendly, polite customer service to all students and staff.
• Essential Support: Assisting the team with basic food preparation
• Maintaining Standards: Ensuring a safe, clean kitchen environment and meeting Health and Safety compliance

About you:

We’re looking for someone who shares our passion for delivering exceptional food and service to our schools.

If you have these skills and qualities, we want to hear from you:

• You’re a team player and thrive as part of a busy team
• You have previous catering or fast-paced service experience
• You have a basic knowledge of health and safety practices
• A full UK driving licence
• The Food Hygiene Level 2 qualification is great, but not essential as we can provide the training!

Why Join the Aspens Family?

Great Work-Life Balance:

• You’ll work Monday to Friday during school term time - that means no late nights, no weekends and no working at Christmas!
• 18.75 hours per week
• 32 weeks per year - what will you do with all that time off?
• £12.71 per hour

Career Growth and Development:

Join a fast-growing, ambitious company. We have no ceiling in terms of where you can take your career in catering.

• Benefit from a dedicated Learning & Development team offering apprenticeship and training courses to help you constantly develop your skills.

Please note: All staff must share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people. The company will seek an enhanced DBS disclosure.