Catering Assistant

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting for catering staff to operate in the central Production Kitchen, Restaurant or Cafes in the new Bristol Surgical Centre building on the Southmead Hospital site. You may perform service of food, cleaning, pre-preparation, and meal regeneration for patients, with cash handling and store duties as part of the role.

We welcome recent catering experience with a focus on safety and high-volume procedures, and we offer structured training including food

Qualifications

• Must hold or be able to obtain a Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene (or equivalent) within 3 months of starting employment.
• Current knowledge of Catering Procedures and Food Safety at a supervisory level and in high-volume outlets.
• Recent experience in the catering industry within the last 3 years, with the most recent position held no later than 6 months ago.
• Currently employed in the catering industry.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Serve food and assist with cleaning of premises and equipment.
• Pre‑prepare food items prior to service and regenerate meals for patients at lunch and supper.
• Handle cash using cash tills as required.
• Pot wash and work in or around the catering stores area.

Skills

Communication

Cash handling

Education

Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene

Job description

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

We have a number of new catering roles to increase our staff who carry out duties in the central Production Kitchen, Restaurant or Cafes and associated areas. This is due to the opening of the new Bristol Surgical Centre building on the Southmead Hospital site.

You could have various duties which include service of food, cleaning of premises and equipment, pre-preparation of food items prior to service and to regenerate cooked meals for patients at lunch and supper at ward level. It can involve taking of cash, mainly via the use of cash tills. Pot wash and working in the catering stores area. Full training is given before this duty is undertaken.

Skills Required

• Ability to communicate with other catering staff regarding work issues and instructions

Training

• To be able to undertake a structured training programme through taught courses and on the job training to last approximately 3 months to include foundation certificate in food hygiene/level 2 food safety certificate, and equipment training (slicing, boilers, cooling kettles etc). To be signed off as competent with a 3-4 month period

Experience Preferred

• Recent relevant catering experience (within the last 3 years)
• Currently working in the Catering Industry
• Up to date awareness of Catering Procedures and Food Safety

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Essential criteria

• Must hold or be able to obtain a Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene (or equivalent) within 3 months of starting employment with NBT.
• Current knowledge of Catering Procedures and Food Safety at a supervisory level and in high-volume outlets
• Recent experience in the catering industry within the last 3 years, with the most recent position held no later than 6 months ago
• Currently employed in the catering industry
• Ability to follow instructions
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with colleagues

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams - unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

Important

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.