Food and Beverage Assistant

Forest Holidays; Forest of Dean; On-site; GBP 11,000 - 15,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Performance-based bonus (5% quarterly)

Pension scheme

Staff discounts - Forest Holidays andS

Health & wellbeing platform

Two paid volunteering days

Job summary

Forest Holidays in Blackwood Forest is seeking a Food and Beverage Assistant to join the Forest Retreat team. You will welcome guests, serve in the café and shop, and help run daily operations in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Shifts start no earlier than 8 am and finish by 9 pm, offering a balanced hospitality role. Prior experience in hospitality or retail and a positive team spirit are highly valued by the Forest Holidays family.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer-facing roles (hospitality or retail preferred).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Flexible and reliable with a positive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests warmly and provide exceptional customer service throughout their stay.
• Prepare and serve food and drinks in our café.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in all areas.
• Support stock control, restock shelves, and assist deliveries.
• Operate tills, handle payments, and follow cash handling procedures.
• Work as part of a close-knit team to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety and food hygiene regulations.
• Assist with set-up and running of events and activities as required.

Skills

Customer service

Hospitality

Cash handling

Teamwork

Communication

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Food and Beverage Assistant to join our lovely team at Blackwood Forest.

Work in one of the UK's most stunning forest locations, developing your skills while providing outstanding service to our guests. Sheltered beneath the protective canopy of ancient oak woodland or situated in the open meadow at the forest edge, our cabins at Forest of Dean offer an escape from everyday life in one of Britain's most amazing forests.

About the Food and Beverage Assistant Role:

As our Food and Beverage Assistant, you'll play a key role in the smooth running of our Forest Retreat, the welcoming hub of Forest Holidays. The Forest Retreat serves as a reception, shop, and café, a place for guests to relax, refuel, and plan their woodland adventures.

Unlike many hospitality roles, we offer a better work/life balance, with shifts starting no earlier than 8 am and finishing by 9 pm. This is your chance to work in a calm, natural setting while still delivering top-quality service to our guests.

You’ll provide friendly, efficient service across retail and café operations, ensuring every guest enjoys the perfect Forest Feeling from start to finish.

Your Responsibilities:

• Welcome guests warmly and provide exceptional customer service throughout their stay.
• Prepare and serve food and drinks in our café.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in all areas.
• Support stock control, restock shelves, and assist with deliveries.
• Operate tills, handle payments, and follow cash handling procedures.
• Work as part of a close-knit team to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Ensure compliance with all health & safety and food hygiene regulations.
• Assist with the set-up and running of events and activities where required.

What Are We Looking For?

• Our ideal Food and Beverage Assistant is friendly, professional, and guest-focused.
• You bring positivity and passion to everything you do and enjoy working in a team that values nature, service, and community.
• Experience in a customer-facing role (hospitality or retail preferred)
• Great communication and interpersonal skills
• A friendly and approachable attitude
• Attention to detail and pride in maintaining high standards
• A flexible approach to working across different tasks and shifts
• A passion for delivering an excellent guest experience
• A love for working in beautiful outdoor settings, come rain or shine!

We’re a team of 800 people, caring for UK forests and creating unique stays in nature where guests can truly switch off and reconnect. If you're looking for a career where you can make a real difference, and be part of something meaningful, you've found the right place

Why Join Us?

As a valued member of our team, you’ll enjoy a range of fantastic benefits, including:

• Generous holiday allowance - Take the time you need to recharge
• Performance-based bonuses - Earn a 5% bonus (paid quarterly) when customer service targets are met
• Enhanced parental leave - (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at full pay).
• Long service awards and company events - Celebrate success with your team
• Access to our health & well being platform - Providing you with tools, resources and support to help you feel your best
• Pension scheme - Secure your future with our company pension
• Two paid days to volunteer - Give back to a cause you care about
• Subsidised meals - Discounted food when working on location
• Health cash plan & life assurance - Covered by the company to keep you protected
• Wellbeing events & activities - Focus on your mental and physical wellness
• Save on breaks - Discounted and last-minute stays at Forest Holidays and Sykes Cottages for you, your friends & family.
• Hundreds of discounts - Save on top brands across the UK

Please note: If successful in the role, any job offer will be subject to pre-employment checks, including a basic criminal record check.

Pay Rates for Aged 16 and 17:

• 16 years: £8.00 per hour
• 17 years: £10.85 per hour