Kitchen Assistant

Dobbies Garden Centres; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Dobbies Garden Centres is seeking passionate Kitchen Assistants to enhance customer experiences across our restaurants by preparing quality food and maintaining high standards of hygiene and service. Join a dedicated team and enjoy generous benefits, including flexible annual leave and impressive store discounts.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

50% store discount in Restaurants

Access to financial wellbeing support

Support through Retail Trust

Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy

Qualifications

• Experience in food service is recommended.
• Knowledge of kitchen health, safety, and hygiene rules is important.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and presenting food according to menu specifications.
• Supporting general kitchen duties.
• Collaborating with the kitchen team to ensure timely meal presentation.

Skills

Passion for food

Team player

Communication

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

Education

Relevant food safety qualifications

Job description

Our Kitchen Assistants play an essential role in delivering an exceptional customer experience across our Restaurants by providing tasty food, ensuring food hygiene, and maintaining high operational standards.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and presenting food in line with menu specifications
• Supporting general kitchen duties proactively
• Collaborating with the kitchen team to ensure meals are presented to a high standard and served on time
• Developing knowledge of dietary requirements, allergies, and health & safety regulations

Who We Are Looking For

• Passionate about food and dedicated to delivering the best possible experience for our customers
• A team player and confident communicator eager to learn new skills and gain experience
• Ability to thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment
• Experience in food service
• Knowledge of kitchen health, safety, and hygiene rules
• Relevant food safety qualifications are a plus
• Ability to demonstrate our values: being one team, continuous improvement, bringing a smile, living our gardens, and making it work for our customers

What We Offer

• Generous annual leave entitlement with flexible holiday scheduling
• Uncapped store discounts: 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre, and 10% off in our food halls
• Access to Wagestream for financial wellbeing support, including early earnings access, savings, and advice
• Support through Retail Trust: confidential support, virtual GP, free counselling, and retail rewards
• Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy and eLearning programs
• A passionate, diverse, and committed team culture focused on customer satisfaction

About Us

Founded in 1865 by James Dobbie, Dobbies is the only garden centre retailer with stores across every UK nation. We celebrate garden living year-round through our products, services, and events that bring communities together. Many stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop where customers can relax and enjoy refreshments. We are committed to being a great place to work, encouraging colleagues to be their best every day and to celebrate success together.