Kitchen Assistant

The Newt in Somerset; Bruton; On-site; GBP 11,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Life Cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Spa and swimming pools access

50% off Spa Treatments

Gym and wellbeing classes

Job summary

The Newt in Somerset is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to join the Cyder Bar Kitchen. You will prepare sandwiches, soups, pastries, and salads, while supporting bar and events teams. A hands-on role in a busy luxury estate kitchen with a strong focus on cleanliness and food safety.

This role offers 40 hours per week, includes weekends and bank holidays, and requires flexible availability for events. A driving licence is recommended given estate locations.

Qualifications

• Confidence communicating with others and working as part of a team.
• Reliable, punctual and positive, with excellent attention to detail.
• Great time management, self-motivation and the ability to prioritise tasks.
• A passion for food, beverage and luxury hospitality.
• Ability to work well under pressure and in a high-volume kitchen environment.
• An understanding of the importance of food safety and cleanliness.
• Basic knife skills and a willingness to develop practical kitchen skills.
• Previous experience in a fast-paced kitchen and Basic Food Hygiene / Level 2 Food Safety are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare seasonal sandwiches, picnics and toasties.
• Serve freshly made soups, stews and pastries produced by our Farm Kitchen and Bakery team.
• Produce cakes and salads for the Story of Gardening café, alongside traybakes and cookies for the Cyder Bar.
• Maintain and monitor stock levels, supporting senior chefs with ordering.
• Effectively manage your section during service.
• Maintain high standards of food safety and cleanliness.
• Support BBQ pop-ups as part of our programme of estate events.
• Assist with out-of-hours private events.

Skills

Team communication

Punctuality

Time management

Food enthusiasm

Pressure in kitchen

Food safety

Knife skills

Experience in fast-paced kitchen

Job description

Kitchen Assistant

Up to £12.92 per hour plus tronc and fantastic benefits

40 hours per week across 5 days, including regular weekends and bank holidays, with flexibility needed for events.

Due to the location of the Estate a driving licence is recommended for this role

Advert closes: 25th September 2026 at 5pm

Take a look at our website

Read the full job description here

Bring your energy to the heart of our gardens, serving up fresh flavours and memorable moments at our bustling Cyder Bar.

Our Kitchen Assistant

As our Kitchen Assistant, you’ll be right at the heart of the Cyder Bar Kitchen, helping to create a seamless and delicious experience for our guests. From preparing seasonal sandwiches, picnics and toasties to serving freshly made soups, stews and pastries, every day brings something different. You’ll also produce cakes and salads, keep your section running smoothly and support our exciting programme of estate events and BBQ pop-ups. It’s a varied, hands‑on role for someone who loves food, thrives in a busy environment and enjoys being part of a close‑knit team.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare seasonal sandwiches, picnics and toasties.
• Serve freshly made soups, stews and pastries produced by our Farm Kitchen and Bakery team.
• Produce cakes and salads for the Story of Gardening café, alongside traybakes and cookies for the Cyder Bar.
• Maintain and monitor stock levels, supporting senior chefs with ordering.
• Effectively manage your section during service.
• Maintain high standards of food safety and cleanliness.
• Support BBQ pop-ups as part of our programme of estate events.
• Assist with out-of-hours private events.

What we can offer

• A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
• Peace of mind with Employee Life Cover, providing your nominated loved one with 2x your salary.
• Support from our Employee Assistance Programme, including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments for you and your family.
• Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
• Stay in shape with complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes.
• Access to our Cycle to Work scheme, supporting wellbeing and sustainable commuting.
• Complimentary staff meal when onsite – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
• Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
• Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and our partner gardens, including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
• We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme – Newt Awards, with the opportunity to achieve amazing rewards, including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
• Discover exclusive perks with discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a 30% discount at our restaurants.
• A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities, including Fun Squad events.
• Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team.

What we're looking for

• Confidence communicating with others and working as part of a team.
• Reliable, punctual and positive, with excellent attention to detail.
• Great time management, self‑motivation and the ability to prioritise tasks.
• A passion for food, beverage and luxury hospitality.
• Ability to work well under pressure and in a high‑volume kitchen environment.
• An understanding of the importance of food safety and cleanliness.
• Basic knife skills and a willingness to develop practical kitchen skills.
• Previous experience in a fast‑paced kitchen and Basic Food Hygiene / Level 2 Food Safety are desirable.

Where you'll be working

The Cyder Bar is a key destination within the gardens and often the first touchpoint for our guests as they begin their journey through The Newt. Here, visitors can enjoy fresh pastries, expertly brewed coffee, and our signature crisp cyder. The menu offers something for everyone, from seasonal soups, sandwiches, and warming stews to sausage rolls and apple juice perfect for younger guests.

Estate Events and BBQs

With a full year’s worth of events planned out, such as Apple Day, Fire Night and our Garden Lates series, our visitors can dine al-fresco with delicious estate reared meat and veg freshly picked by our productive growing department cooked over fires by our Visitor Attraction chefs.

Who are we- The Newt in Somerset

Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions - accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home‑away‑from‑home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt’s essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams - from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming - collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences.