Food and Beverage Assistant

Forest Holidays; Newark and Sherwood; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A hospitality company at a scenic retreat is seeking a Food and Beverage Assistant to provide exceptional service in a calm natural setting. Responsibilities include welcoming guests, preparing food and drinks, maintaining hygiene standards, and supporting daily operations. The ideal candidate should have experience in customer service and a valid driving licence due to location accessibility. This role offers a good work-life balance and numerous benefits including generous holidays, bonuses, and well-being activities.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Performance-based bonuses

Social events and awards evenings

Pension scheme

Paid volunteer day

Subsidised meals

Wellbeing events

Discount on breaks

Hundreds of discounts across the UK

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-facing role, ideally hospitality or retail.
• Valid driving licence and access to a reliable means of transport.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service to guests.
• Prepare and serve food and drinks in the café.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards.

Skills

Great communication and interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Friendly and approachable attitude

Job description

As our Food and Beverage Assistant, you'll play a key role in the smooth running of our Forest Retreat, the welcoming hub of Blackwood Forest. 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.

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?

• Transport: Please note that our location is not accessible by public transport. Therefore, a valid driving licence and access to a car, or another reliable means of transport, are essential for this role.
• 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 Certified B Corp. Our business has been recognised as a force for good. It's what we've always known: our holidays are good for people and the planet. We've never done business as usual. Our holidays are unique, and so are we. We're a team of 800 people. We're stewards of 244.5 hectares of forest. We manage the land for conservation and create spaces in nature for people to stay. Our tucked‑away cabin locations are always thoughtfully placed. They're places to discover the wonders of nature and realise the part we all play in protecting it.

Benefits

• 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.
• Social events and awards evenings – Celebrate success with your team.
• Pension scheme – Secure your future with our company pension.
• One full paid day to volunteer – Give back to a cause you care about.
• Subsidised meals – Discounted food when working on location.
• Wellbeing events & activities – Focus on your mental and physical wellness.
• Save on breaks – Enjoy up to 20% off. Friends and family also receive 15% off.
• Hundreds of discounts – Save on top brands across the UK.

Pay Rates for Aged 16 and 17

• 16 years: £7.55 per hour
• 17 years: £10.00 per hour