Kitchen Assistant

Alnwick Castle; Alnwick; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A historical venue in the United Kingdom is looking for a Kitchen Assistant to support the Chef with food preparation and kitchen hygiene. The role involves maintaining cleanliness, working in a busy environment, and excellent communication with the team. Candidates should ideally possess a Level 2 Food safety qualification and be flexible with working hours, including weekends and holidays. Previous kitchen experience is desirable but not essential.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a busy kitchen is desirable.
• A good understanding of various dietary requirements is desirable.
• Knowledge of the local area is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chef with food preparation and maintaining cleanliness.
• Help with food preparation and using kitchen equipment.
• Communicate effectively with kitchen and front of house staff.

Skills

General standard of numeracy and literacy

Awareness of Health and Safety and security issues

Ability to work as part of a team

Ability to be reliable and punctual

Education

Level 2 Food safety qualification

Job description

Kitchen Assistant

Location: Alnwick NE66 1NQ

Salary: Rates of pay will be shared at interview

Role Summary

Assisting the Chef with food preparation and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene in catering areas. The role would include the daily preparation of sandwiches and helping to stock the various outlets other general kitchen duties. A positive attitude towards work is essential, as is the ability to motivate others.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Assist the chefs. As a kitchen assistant, a large part of the job is to assist the Chef wherever possible. This includes helping with food preparation, using kitchen equipment and making sure the kitchen is kept clean and tidy. At times the kitchen will be very busy, so it is important to have excellent communication skills, and to have the ability to work in a high‑pressure environment while keeping a level head.

Health and Safety

You will often be working with and around food, so it is important to maintain a clean and safe working environment at all times. This includes making sure all work surfaces and kitchen equipment are cleaned regularly and to a high standard, being aware of COSHH policies and following guidelines when using any chemicals in the kitchen, only using those specifically set out by the company for use in catering areas. When handling food, you must always have clean hands and take care when handling knives and other sharp utensils. Accidents can be limited by using equipment appropriately and following company procedures, but if an accident should occur, involving a member of staff or a member of the public, staff trained in First Aid are required to attend to any injuries, and an accident form must be filled in. Any training involving kitchen procedures and risk assessments must be attended, as well as any other training relevant to your position.

Communication and Knowledge

You should be able to sustain excellent face to face communication with kitchen staff, front of house staff and customers. It is important to build a good knowledge of the Castle site, such as opening hours, and knowing about the various products served and sold across catering areas. This will able you to deal with customer enquiries and use any feedback to continually improve the offer.

General

A knowledge of, and compliance with, the organisation's general policies and procedures will be required, in relation to daily shift patterns, rostering, staffing levels, holiday patterns and similar procedures as outlined in the Castle Staff Handbook, provided at induction. Policies and procedures also include those relating to health and safety, and welfare, equal opportunities, emergency evacuation, security and standards of work performance. In addition, you will be prepared to undertake any additional or alternative tasks and duties reasonably required by Northumberland Estates within the general scope of the post.

Person Specification

Training, Experience and Qualifications

• Level 2 Food safety qualification (desirable)
• Knowledge of the local area (desirable)

Knowledge and Skills

• General standard of numeracy and literacy
• Awareness of Health and Safety and security issues
• Previous experience working in a busy kitchen (desirable)
• A good understanding of various dietary requirements (desirable)

Interpersonal Skills

• A flexible and adaptable approach to all aspects of work
• The ability to be reliable and punctual
• The ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
• The ability and willingness to work with a diverse range of visitors and colleagues
• Working as part of a team in a busy, demanding and pressurised environment (desirable)

Particular Circumstances to Consider

This post is covered by various shifts on a zero hours contract working up to 5 over 7 days, including Bank Holidays. You will have the ability and availability to work weekends and holidays. You will be prepared to be flexible in working hour patterns, and potentially work long and unsociable hours, or additional shifts.

Physical/Health Requirements (site specific)

Work may involve some heavy lifting of objects within published health and safety guidelines on manual handling. You may also be expected to stand for long periods of time.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Alnwick Castle, please do not hesitate to apply.