Food & Beverage Assistant

Restaurant; Port Ellen; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury hospitality venue in Port Ellen is seeking a Food and Beverage Assistant to deliver exceptional dining experiences. The role involves greeting guests, taking orders, and ensuring high-quality service. Ideal candidates are guest-focused, have strong communication skills, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment. Knowledge of food hygiene and previous experience in hospitality are beneficial. Join a dedicated team promoting a welcoming atmosphere in beautiful surroundings.

Benefits

Accommodation (as required)

Islay Living Allowance

Discounted stays for family and friends

Career prospects

Use of championship golf course

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a similar role preferred but not required.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Greeting guests warmly and providing excellent customer service.
• Taking food and beverage orders accurately and efficiently.
• Communicating effectively with kitchen and bar staff.

Skills

Guest focus

Excellent communication

Ability to multitask

Strong attention to detail

Basic math skills

Education

Food Hygiene certificate

Job description

Food and Beverage Assistant | Another Place - The Machrie | Front of House

Wild coastlines, big skies and a close-knit island community set the rhythm of daily life on Islay. The roll of waves, breeze-blown dune grasses, and call of seabirds make up a rich island soundtrack. It’s a haven for people who live and breathe the outdoors. Exhilarating and revitalising, vibrant and relaxed - the wonder of the wilds here is limitless.

Set within this captivating landscape lies Another Place – The Machrie. Originating from the Gaelic term ‘machair’, meaning ‘the linking stretch of land that joins the grassy dunes with the shoreline’, The Machrie offers elevated comforts and unforgettable experiences.

Our Food and Beverage Assistant role:

Another Place – The Machrie - a place for people who take pride in growing their skills, supporting local suppliers, sharing seasonal menus, crafting great coffee, and maintaining excellent guest experiences.

Our Food and Beverage team is essential for maintaining our exemplary guest satisfaction at Another Place – The Machrie. Our Food and Beverage Assistants deliver exceptional dining, craft exquisite coffee, mix cocktails, and ensure that guests receive a consistently high-quality dining experience.

Together, our team ensures that guests receive a warm welcome and are cared for, aware of our current offerings, and enjoy every moment that they spend with us.

As our Food and Beverage Assistant you’ll be:

• Greeting guests warmly and providing excellent customer service.
• Ready for service by understanding the importance of mis en place and preparation ahead of time.
• Anticipating guests' needs and responding promptly to any requests or concerns.
• Effectively communicating menu details to our diners across all services; including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, room service, and dinner.
• Taking food and beverage orders accurately and efficiently.
• Demonstrating a base knowledge of food and beverage within a quality driven hotel, restaurant, bar or hospitality environment.
• Prepared with a basic knowledge of the wine and whisky lists and stock availability.
• Communicating effectively with the kitchen and bar staff to ensure timely delivery of orders.
• Serving food and beverages to guests in a professional and courteous manner.
• Recommending food and wine/whisky pairings.
• Communicating with team members any guest feedback and training needs.
• Handling cash and credit card transactions accurately and efficiently.
• Promoting organization in the dining area, including clearing tables, vacuuming and sanitizing surfaces.
• Ensuring that the guest facing and Back of House areas are clean, and that Riskproof is being completed each day.

You’ll also be:

• A team player, with the ability to work independently.
• Compliant with all licensing laws.
• Experienced in bar service (desirable), however training will be provided.
• Experienced in hosting functions and events (desirable).
• Confident in taking room service orders and delivering to guest accommodation.
• Confident in responding to guest feedback and managing all orders in a timely manner.
• Aware of allergens, and managing guest allergens inline with health and safety procedures (training provided).
• Adhering to all food safety and sanitation guidelines.
• Flexible to assist in different areas of the hotel as business requires.
• Creating a positive working environment and inclusive culture within our team.
• Promoting our shared responsibility to look after our teams and planet.

With 43 beautifully designed rooms, a world‑class Scottish championship links golf course, a contemporary restaurant showcasing seasonal island produce (recognised with a 4* Silver AA award and a Rosette), a wild Scandinavian‑inspired hot tub garden, and an art collection curated throughout by Sue Nye, The Machrie encapsulates the best of both worlds; a feeling of being looked‑after, and the freedom to explore.

For our guests, how their stay makes them feel is crucial; cared about, looked after, welcome. It’s the heart and soul of our active relaxation concept, made possible by the people on our team.

The skills you’ll be sharing with us:

• Previous experience in a similar role (preferred but not required)
• A strong guest focus
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong attention to detail with organizational skills
• Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively
• Basic math skills for handling cash transactions
• Ability to work in a team
• A Food Hygiene certificate (desirable)
• Excellent time management and delegation skills
• A willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed (essential)
• Good listening skills and a proactive, helpful attitude towards team members (essential)

Additional experience you’ll need:

• Previous experience of island living, or equivalent (desirable).
• A valid driving licence, and relevant driving experience.
• Hobbies or interests in the following areas: the outdoors, outdoor instructing, writing, natural history, geology, marine science, animal science, photography, and documentary filmmaking, or equivalent (desirable).

Life at Another Place – The Machrie

On Islay, The Machrie embraces all‑season island living. With long winters, limited entertainment, and few distractions, it requires an appreciation and resilience for rural life.

Due to the hotel’s remote location, you will require a valid driving license and access to a personal vehicle. We also offer team accommodation within same‑sex residences (where possible).

As a team, we work together to deliver memorable moments for our guests to immerse themselves in the vibrancy of island living, and it’s our strong sense of community and our wider connection to the residents and natural beauty of Islay, that allows us to offer a space where outdoor living and indoor comforts coalesce – where both guests, locals, and team can rest, play, work, gather, and make the most of what matters.

What we’ll offer you in return:

• A relaxed, professional place to work in a beautiful location – Islay ‘the queen’ of the Hebridean archipelago off the West Coast of Scotland
• A welcoming team of like minds, eager to support and encourage each other
• Accommodation (as required, dependent on availability)
• Excellent career prospects in an ever‑expanding organisation
• An Islay Living Allowance provided for team members residing off‑site
• Use of our Championship LinksGolf Course (7,000 yards from the back trees, rated one of the world's top 100), regardless of ability
• Special rates for you and your friends & family to stay at Another Place – The Machrie, Another Place – The Lake, SeaSpace, and Watergate Bay Hotels
• Discounts for you and your friends & family to eat at our variety of restaurants (including 18 Restaurant and Bar)
• Team social events throughout the year
• Team assistance scheme – a dedicated helpline for support & advice on topics from mental health through to managing your finances

From discounted stays to training and development opportunities, we're all about helping our team achieve their personal and professional goals. With far‑reaching views stretching across the golf links and Laggan Bay, you’ll never be short on inspiration. Life at Another Place isn't just a job - it's a transformative career opportunity.

If you come alive in nature and have a genuine desire to expand your hospitality skills in a location where your attitude and experience truly matter, Another Place - The Machrie is the place for you.

If you would love to join us as our Food and Beverage Assistant, apply now and be part of our journey at Another Place – The Machrie, a wonderful place to work.

Compensation: Competitive salary