Catering Assistant

Compass Group UK; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free staff meals

Training and development

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Compass Group UK is seeking a Catering Assistant at Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable, to join a fast-paced hospitality team. You’ll help with daily café operations, deliver excellent service, and keep a clean, welcoming space for visitors in a zero-hour role.

The ideal candidate has café/restaurant or catering experience, strong customer service skills, and works well in a team with a can-do attitude. On-site role with opportunities for development within Restaurant Associates and Compass Group UK.

Qualifications

• Experience in a café, restaurant or catering environment.
• Friendly, approachable and committed to great customer service.
• Confident working in a fast-paced, visitor-focused environment.
• Able to follow instructions and work well as part of a team.
• Good communication skills and a positive can-do attitude.
• Understanding of food safety and hygiene practices (training provided).
• Flexible and reliable, with the ability to work weekends and busy peak periods.

Responsibilities

• Provide warm, friendly and efficient customer service
• Serve food and beverages to brand and quality standards
• Follow all health & safety, food safety and hygiene practices
• Operate tills accurately and handle transactions responsibly
• Maintain clean, tidy and well-presented front-of-house and seating areas
• Support simple food preparation, restocking and product display
• Assist with cleaning and general upkeep of service areas
• Help with opening and closing duties as required
• Contribute to sales promotions and deliver positive visitor experiences
• Support service during special events as part of an all-round catering team

Skills

Cafe/restaurant experience

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication skills

Food safety awareness

Job description

Job Description

Catering Assistant

Salary: up to £12.71 per hour

Location: Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable

Contract: Zero Hour

About the role:

As aCatering Assistant, you'llbe part of a dynamic, fast‑paced team, contributing to a positive and friendlywork environment. You’ll play an important role in supporting day‑to‑day caféoperations, delivering excellent customer service, and maintaining a clean,welcoming space for all visitors.

This role offers great opportunities for personalgrowth and development within a company that values individuality and investsin its people. Your hard work will be recognised and rewarded, making this anexcellent opportunity to develop your career at a world‑renowned culturalinstitution.

What can we offer you?:

• A collaborative and inclusive culture where your ideas are valued and creativity is encouraged
• Free staff meals while working on site
• Access to training, mentoring and development through Restaurant Associates and Compass Group UK

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Provide warm, friendly and efficient customer service
• Serve food and beverages to brand and quality standards
• Follow all health & safety, food safety and hygiene practices
• Operate tills accurately and handle transactions responsibly
• Maintain clean, tidy and well‑presented front‑of‑house and seating areas
• Support simple food preparation, restocking and product display
• Assist with cleaning and general upkeep of service areas
• Help with opening and closing duties as required
• Contribute to sales promotions and deliver positive visitor experiences
• Support service during special events as part of an all‑round catering team

Our ideal Catering Assistant will:

• Experience in a café, restaurant or catering environment
• Friendly, approachable and committed to great customer service
• Confident working in a fast‑paced, visitor‑focused environment
• Able to follow instructions and work well as part of a team
• Good communication skills and a positive can-do attitude
• Understanding of food safety and hygiene practices (training provided)
• Flexible and reliable, with the ability to work weekends and busy peak periods

About us:

Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitalityprovider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high-quality diningin London and New York.

Within our venues team, we provide catering andhospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions anddestinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, GlyndebourneOpera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more.Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants,as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large-scaleground events of up to 1000 people. You can find a full list of our venues onour website.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering anenvironment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and hasequal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culturethat respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, andabilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued,empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity isour strength!