Kitchen Assistant

Dobbies Garden Centres; Cirencester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Dobbies Garden Centres seeks a Kitchen Assistant dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences in a fast-paced restaurant environment. Key responsibilities include preparing food according to menu specifications, supporting kitchen duties, and maintaining high hygiene standards. The ideal candidate will have a passion for food, excellent teamwork skills, and relevant experience in food service.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Uncapped store discounts

Access to financial wellbeing support

Confidential support through Retail Trust

Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy

Qualifications

• Passion for food and customer service.
• Ability to thrive in a busy environment.
• Experience in food service desirable.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and presenting food following menu specifications.
• Supporting general kitchen duties and collaborating with the team.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements and health & safety regulations.

Skills

Team player

Communication

Food hygiene knowledge

Customer experience focus

Education

Food safety qualifications

Job description

Our Kitchen Assistants play an essential role in delivering exceptional customer experiences across our restaurants—delivering 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 prepared to a high standard and delivered on time
• Developing knowledge of dietary requirements, allergies, and health & safety regulations

Who We Are Looking For

• A passion for food and delivering excellent customer experiences
• A team player and confident communicator eager to learn new skills
• 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, positivity, a love for gardens, and making it work for our customers

What We Offer

• Generous annual leave entitlement with flexible holiday scheduling
• Uncapped store discounts, including 50% off in our restaurants, 25% in the Garden Centre, and 10% in food halls
• Access to Wagestream for financial wellbeing support
• Confidential support through Retail Trust, including virtual GP, counselling, and retail rewards
• Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy and eLearning platforms
• A passionate, diverse, and committed team culture

About Us

Founded in 1865 by James Dobbie, Dobbies is the only garden centre retailer with stores in every UK nation. We celebrate garden living all year round through our products, services, and community events. Many stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, providing a welcoming environment for customers. We are dedicated to being a great place to work, fostering a supportive environment where colleagues can thrive and succeed.