Catering Assistant - Dulwich Hamlet Primary School

Olive Dining Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Term-time hours

Weekdays only

Supportive team

Free meals on duty

Wellbeing programme

Career growth

Job summary

Olive Dining Ltd in London is looking for a Catering Assistant to help provide healthy, delicious meals to school pupils. You’ll be part of a front-line team delivering meals, washing up, serving with a smile, and supporting daily operations in a busy school kitchen.

We value reliability, good timekeeping and a willingness to learn; catering experience is helpful but not essential. Term-time hours and a focus on work-life balance make this a rewarding role.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail including allergen labelling.
• Clear communication with adults and young people.
• Reliable with good timekeeping to support busy mealtimes.
• Catering experience is helpful but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Washing dishes, utensils and equipment and keeping the area tidy.
• Serving meals to students and staff with a friendly smile.
• Assisting with basic food preparation and plating.
• Assisting with deliveries, unpacking stock and storing it properly.
• Maintaining a clean, well-stocked service area during lunch.
• Setting up and clearing down before and after service.
• Following food hygiene and safety standards at all times.
• Supporting the team to keep service running smoothly.
• Completing any other reasonable requests from the manager.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Reliability

Catering experience

Job description

Make a difference every day by helping provide healthy, delicious meals to children at school.

Who We Are

At Olive Dining, we believe great food brings people together and there’s no better place to do that than in schools, where young minds are growing every day. We’re a dedicated school catering company serving fresh, nutritious meals to students across London, Kent, Surrey, and Essex.

Now, we’re on the lookout for a Catering Assistant who can help us make every school day mealtime something special. If you’re passionate about food, love working in a team, and thrive in a fast-paced environment with purpose, this could be the perfect role for you.

Why You'll Love Working With Us

• Family-Friendly Hours: Term time only, so you can enjoy school holidays too!

• Weekends Off: Yes, really Monday to Friday.

• Supportive Team Culture: You're never just a number here.

• Free Meals on Duty: Because you should never work hungry.

• Wellbeing First: Access to an Employee Assistance Programme including free CBT, health, and financial support.

• Room to Grow: We believe in promoting from within and helping our people thrive.

Your Day-to-Day

As our Catering Assistant, you’ll be part of the front-line team that turns good ingredients into great meals and happy faces.

Washing up crockery, utensils, and kitchen equipment using our trusty dishwashing machines (and occasionally, old-fashioned elbow grease).

Serving meals to students and staff with a smile (and maybe a little friendly banter).

• Helping the team with basic food preparation (chopping, peeling, mixing, plating, and garnishing.- nothing too scary).

• Assisting with deliveries, unpacking stock and storing it in the right places.

• Making sure the service area is clean, tidy, and well-stocked during lunch.

• Helping to set up and clear down before and after service.

• Washing dishes, utensils, and equipment, making them ready for their next big performance.

• Following food hygiene and safety standards at all times.

• Supporting the team wherever needed to keep service running smoothly.

• Completion of any other reasonable requests given by your manager

What You’ll Need

At good energy - mealtimes can be busy, and we need you to keep pace.

Attention to detail - whether it's a neat presentation or the correct allergen labelling.

Great communication skills - with both adults and young people.

Reliability and good timekeeping.

Catering experience is helpful but not essential - enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are just as important.

This Role Is Perfect If You

• Want to make a real impact in a school community
• Enjoy variety and hands-on work
• Like the idea of work-life balance that includes school holidays
• Are ready to bring your ideas, creativity, and energy to the table