Food Service Assistants

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge is seeking a Food Service Assistant to deliver friendly, efficient service across cafés, catering outlets and events within the University Estate. You will prepare drinks, serve food, take payments, and help with setup and clear down for meetings and functions, ensuring high standards of cleanliness and presentation.

We're looking for someone reliable, team oriented and capable of thriving in a busy environment while maintaining attention to detail and food safety

Qualifications

• Experience in hospitality or customer service preferred.
• Ability to work in a busy environment and stay organised.
• Pay attention to cleanliness and hygiene standards.
• Comfort with handling payments and operating a till.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve hot and cold drinks, including barista coffees.
• Carry out basic food production tasks.
• Serve food and snacks with excellent presentation and friendly service.
• Support events with hospitality service, food prep and setup/clear down across sites.
• Maintain cleanliness of service areas, counters and equipment.

Skills

Customer service

Team player

Attention to detail

Food safety

Tools

Cash register

Job description

Role Introduction / About the Role

The Food Service Assistant role plays an important role in delivering friendly, efficient, and high quality service across cafés, catering outlets, and events throughout the University Estate. Whether preparing great barista coffee, serving food, or supporting hospitality for meetings and functions, this role helps create a welcoming experience for students, staff, and visitors. Working as part of a flexible and customer focused team, the Food Service Assistant contributes to smooth day to day operations and the successful delivery of events of all sizes.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve hot and cold drinks, including barista coffees, to a consistently high standard.
• Carry out basic food production tasks
• Serve food and snacks, ensuring excellent presentation and a friendly, efficient customer experience.
• Support University events, assisting with hospitality service, food preparation, and setup/clear down across multiple sites.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, ensuring service areas, counters, and equipment are clean, organised, and compliant with hygiene regulations.
• Assist with stock rotation and replenishment, keeping displays well presented and reporting low stock or issues to supervisors.
• Handle payments and operate tills, following cash handling procedures accurately.
• Work collaboratively with catering and events teams, helping to deliver smooth, coordinated service.
• Follow food safety, allergen, and health & safety procedures, ensuring a safe environment for customers and colleagues.
• Support the movement of supplies and equipment between outlets and event locations when required.
• Provide excellent customer service, responding to queries and ensuring all guests feel welcomed and supported.

About You

You're friendly, reliable, and take pride in creating a positive experience for every guest. You enjoy working as part of a team and bring a helpful, can do attitude to each shift. You're comfortable in a busy environment, staying organised and focused even when things get lively. You pay attention to detail, follow food safety standards, and understand the importance of cleanliness and presentation. Whether you're serving customers, preparing simple food items, or keeping the service area tidy, you approach every task with care and enthusiasm. Above all, you enjoy working with people and contributing to a welcoming, efficient, and well run service.

Applications will be reviewed regularly and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please email Estates Division on [e-mail]

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.