General Assistant

Houston & Hawkes; Greater London; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday off

Free meals on duty

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Employee assistance programme

CODE Hospitality membership

Foodie Socials

Christmas party

Job summary

Houston & Hawkes in Camden, London, is seeking a General Assistant to split time between our coffee bar and kitchen. You will deliver warm, friendly service, help with food preparation and maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety.

Join a contemporary workplace and learn on the job, with full training provided. The role offers Monday to Thursday shifts at £15 per hour in a busy hospitality environment.

Qualifications

• Positive, reliable and customer-focused person.
• Willing to move between coffee bar service and kitchen support.
• Excellent communication, organisation and attention to detail.
• Experience in hospitality, catering or customer service is welcome, but attitude matters most.
• Barista experience is an advantage, training provided.
• Understanding of food safety and allergens or willingness to train.

Responsibilities

• Create a warm, welcoming experience for every customer with friendly, attentive service.
• Assist barista during busy periods; take orders, serve food and drinks, operate the till and make espresso-based coffees.
• Keep coffee bar, counters and displays well-presented and stocked.
• Support chef with daily food prep: wash, chop, portion and assemble ingredients.
• Wash up, clean pots and utensils, maintain a safe, organized kitchen and wash-up area.
• Receive deliveries, replenish supplies, rotate stock, minimise food waste.
• Support front-of-house and kitchen as service needs change, especially during busy times.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, allergen awareness, cleanliness and health & safety.

Skills

Customer service

Hospitality experience

Barista experience

Team player

Communication

Attention to detail

Tools

POS system

Job description

GENERALASSISTANT

Coffee Bar & Kitchen Support

Camden, London | £15 per hour | Monday to Thursday

A brilliant hospitality experience starts with the people behind it.

At Houston & Hawkes, we believe that great food, thoughtful service and a genuinely warm welcome can transform the working day. We are looking for a friendly, enthusiastic General Assistant to join our team at a contemporary workplace in Camden, helping us deliver the high standards of food and hospitality our clients expect.

This is an exciting and varied opportunity for someone who enjoys being part of a close-knit team. You will spend approximately half your time supporting our busy coffee bar and the other half working alongside the chef in the kitchen. From preparing a great coffee and welcoming customers to assisting with fresh food preparation and keeping the kitchen running smoothly, you will make a real difference every day.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Create a warm, welcoming experience for every customer, providing friendly, attentive and professional service.
• Support our barista during busy periods, taking orders, serving food and drinks, operating the till and preparing espresso-based coffees with training provided.
• Keep the coffee bar, counters and displays beautifully presented, fully stocked and ready for service.
• Work closely with the chef on daily food preparation, including washing, chopping, portioning and assembling ingredients and dishes.
• Take ownership of washing up, cleaning pots, utensils and equipment, and maintaining a safe, organised kitchen and wash-up area.
• Help receive deliveries, replenish supplies, rotate stock correctly and minimise food waste.
• Support the team across both front of house and kitchen as service needs change, particularly during busy periods.
• Maintain excellent standards of food safety, allergen awareness, cleanliness and health and safety.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• A positive, reliable and customer-focused person who takes pride in doing things well.
• Someone happy to move between coffee bar service and hands‑on kitchen support, with a genuine team‑first attitude.
• Excellent communication, organisation and attention to detail, even when service gets busy.
• Experience in hospitality, catering, customer service or food preparation is welcome, but attitude and willingness to learn matter just as much.
• Barista experience is an advantage, although full training can be provided.
• An understanding of food safety and allergens, or a willingness to complete relevant training.

WHY JOIN HOUSTON & HAWKES?

We want our people to feel valued, inspired and proud of the work they do. Alongside a supportive team and opportunities to build your skills, you can enjoy:

• Your birthday off – a day to celebrate that is all about you.
• Free meals on duty, prepared by our talented kitchen teams.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Contributory pension scheme and life assurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme, offering support when you need it.
• CODE Hospitality membership, connecting you with hospitality experiences and benefits.
• Foodie Socials and opportunities to learn, grow and progress within the business.
• Our Summer Awards Party, celebrating the people who make Houston & Hawkes special.
• A memorable Christmas Party at an outstanding London venue.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT US

Houston & Hawkes is an award‑winning, independent contract caterer with a passion for fresh, imaginative food and exceptional workplace hospitality. We work with prestigious organisations to create food experiences that people genuinely look forward to. As a Certified B Corp and a recipient of the King’s Award for Enterprise, we care about doing business responsibly, supporting our people and making a positive impact.