Restaurant Assistant - Full Time - Ferndown Restaurant

Haskins Garden Centres; Ferndown; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-owned award-winning garden centre business in Ferndown is seeking a full-time Restaurant Assistant. The role involves serving food and drinks, clearing tables, and providing excellent customer service. Candidates should be enthusiastic and willing to learn, as extensive training will be provided. The business values its people and offers a generous benefits package, including discounts, health plans, and extensive holiday allowance. Previous hospitality experience is preferable but not essential.

Benefits

Generous Company Discount scheme

Cycle Scheme

Health Cash Plan

Paid Charity Day

Wellbeing support

Company pension scheme

Free on-site parking

Up to 38 days of Holiday

Uniform provided

Qualifications

• Catering, barista, or hospitality experience preferred but not essential.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic individual.

Responsibilities

• Serve on food counters.
• Make and serve drinks.
• Clear tables.
• Perform general housekeeping duties.
• Operate the till.
• Provide counter service.

Skills

Customer service

Barista skills

Proactivity

Teamwork

Job description

Restaurant Assistant

We are recruiting a Restaurant Assistant on a full-time and permanent basis, working 37.5 hours a week including alternate weekends. Previous catering, barista or hospitality experience is preferred but not essential as full training will be provided. Pay Rate up to £12.21 per hour.

Haskins Garden Centres – A family owned, award winning business, with 5 destination garden centres across the South of England, each with a large restaurant.

We thrive on improving service and experience for our customers, that's why our people are so important to us. If you are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, have an eagerness to learn and be part of a leading business, we want you in our team.

The role of Restaurant Assistant

To provide general assistance within the restaurant which enables us to exceed customer expectations and maximise all sales opportunities.

Key responsibilities

• Serving on the food counters
• Making and serving chilled and hot drinks
• Clearing tables
• General housekeeping duties
• Till operation
• Counter Service
• Barista

This role is well suited to a self‑motivated, enthusiastic and hardworking individual with excellent customer service skills and a desire to learn. A winning smile and a courteous manner are both important whether you are serving over the counter or arranging a table for the next customer. Being proactive and energetic is essential as this is a busy fast paced environment.

Benefits

• Generous Company Discount scheme – Retail discounts, saving money on day‑to‑day spending, days out, and gifts.
• Cycle Scheme, helping spread the cost of a bike and saving on tax.
• Health Cash Plan, for a small monthly contribution access a 24‑hour online GP service, recover costs for dental and optical appointments and more.
• Time off to support local charities, with an annual paid Charity Day.
• Wellbeing support with Mental Health First Aiders and external Assistance Programme providing free counselling and advice for you and your family.
• Company pension scheme for eligible employees.
• Free on‑site parking.
• Up to 38 days of Holiday (pro‑rata).
• Uniform provided.