Food and Beverage Assistant

FOREST HOLIDAYS LIMITED; Newark and Sherwood; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A UK hospitality company is seeking a part-time Food and Beverage Assistant at Thorpe Forest, focusing on providing excellent customer service in a peaceful woodland setting. This role includes preparing food and drinks, maintaining hygiene standards, and welcoming guests with a friendly attitude. Ideal candidates will have customer service experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for working in outdoor environments. Enjoy various employee benefits including holiday allowance, performance bonuses, and discounted meals.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Performance-based bonuses

Social events and awards evenings

Pension scheme

One full paid day to volunteer

Subsidised meals

Wellbeing events & activities

Savings on breaks

Hundreds of discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in a hospitality or retail role is preferred.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Attention to detail and high standards are required.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests and provide exceptional customer service.
• Prepare and serve food and drinks in our café.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards.
• Support stock control and handle payments.

Skills

Customer service experience

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Positive attitude

Job description

Join us where the River Thet winds through tranquil woodland at Thorpe Forest

Location: Thorpe Forest (Norfolk)

Salary: £12.21 per hour

Working Hours: Part-time, 24 hours

Days of Work: 3 days per week, including weekend work

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.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Food and Beverage Assistant to join our friendly Thorpe Forest team! Be a part of making special escapes in one of the UK’s most peaceful forest locations, developing your skills while ensuring our cabins are beautifully prepared for every guest. Our cabins offer a natural escape beside the banks of the River Thet, close to where the Norfolk and Suffolk borders meet. Choose a cabin beneath the tranquil canopy of the forest or opt for a more open aspect in the picturesque woodland glade.

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 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.

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 shiftsA passion for delivering an excellent guest experience
• A love for working in beautiful outdoor settings, come rain or shine!

Who Are Forest Holidays?

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.

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
• 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

Reasonable Adjustments

We’re all about diversity, inclusion, and bringing your authentic self to work. Need adjustments for the recruitment process? Just ask, our team is happy to help.

Click ‘Apply’ now to start your journey with us at Thorpe Forest (Norfolk). Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!