Waiter/Waitress

The Garden Cafe; Bruton; Hybrid; GBP 11,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gym access and wellbeing classes

Spa and swimming pool access

50% off Spa Treatments

30% staff discount (online and estate)

Discounted hotel stays and restaurants

Complimentary staff meals

Job summary

The Garden Café in Somerset is recruiting a welcoming waiter/ess to join our busy, produce-led restaurant. You’ll deliver attentive service, pour wine and coffee, and share stories about provenance while managing a section of 6–8 tables.

Training for drinks and service is provided, with opportunities to participate in events and other shifts across the estate. We value hospitality, sustainability, and local produce, and offer a supportive team environment, plus benefits on the estate for staff,

Qualifications

• Positive, can-do attitude with a warm, professional demeanor.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Calm under pressure; reliable team player with great attention to detail.
• Passion for hospitality, sustainability and seasonal, local produce.
• Adaptable—confident working independently or collaboratively.
• Previous experience in a similar role (events or bar experience a plus).
• Bonus skills: Barista, WSET Level 1, experience with Micros tills.

Responsibilities

• Create unforgettable guest experiences with warm, genuine service.
• Showcase Somerset’s finest flavours through our seasonal menu.
• Master the art of serving food, wine, and coffee (training provided!).
• Keep your section buzzing and beautifully presented.
• Bring energy, teamwork, and passion to every shift.

Job description

Waiter/ss - The Garden Cafe

Up to £12.92 per hour plus tronc and fantastic benefits

Daytime Hours. 30 hours, including weekends.

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

Take a look at our website

Read the full job description here

Serve smiles, stories, and Somerset flavours—where every plate celebrates the garden

Our Waiter/ss - The Garden Cafe

You’ll be the welcoming face of our busy, produce-led restaurant—delivering attentive, professional service that turns great food into unforgettable experiences. From confidently serving wine, coffee and cocktails (training provided) to sharing stories about provenance, you’ll keep your section humming (6–8 tables), support events, and jump between floor and bar as needed—all while upholding the high standards of The Newt.

Key Responsibilities

• Create unforgettable guest experiences with warm, genuine service
• Showcase Somerset’s finest flavours through our seasonal menu
• Master the art of serving food, wine, and coffee (training provided!)
• Keep your section buzzing and beautifully presented
• Bring energy, teamwork, and passion to every shift

What we can offer

• A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
• Stay in shape with our complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes
• Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
• Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
• Discover exclusive perks with our Discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a fantastic 30% discount at our restaurants.
• Complimentary garden membership for the Newt and our partner gardens including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan
• Complimentary staff meal each shift – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
• We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme “Newt Awards” with the opportunity to achieve a variety of amazing rewards including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
• Support from our Employee Assistance Programme for both yourself and your family
• A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities including Fun Squad events, which include activities such as Go-Karting and Wine Tasting, to name but a few.
• Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team

What we’re looking for

• Positive, can-do attitude with a warm, professional demeanour
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Calm under pressure; reliable team player with great attention to detail
• Passion for hospitality, sustainability and seasonal, local produce
• Adaptable—confident working independently or collaboratively
• Previous experience in a similar role (events or bar experience a plus)
• Bonus skills: Barista, WSET Level 1, experience with Micros tills
• Eagerness to learn and develop—training provided where required

Where you’ll be working

The Garden Café is a vibrant, produce-led restaurant at the heart of The Newt estate. With a menu that celebrates seasonal vegetables, estate-grown ingredients, and the work of our growers and makers, it offers guests a relaxed yet refined dining experience. Serving 150–200 covers daily—and more when events are running—it’s a fast-paced, dynamic space where

simplicity, freshness, and provenance shine on every plate. Our team takes pride in combining genuine hospitality with attentiveness, ensuring that every guest feels both cared for and inspired by the connection to the land. Collaboration, adaptability, and a shared passion for food and sustainability are central to the way we work, creating an atmosphere that is as supportive for staff as it is memorable for guests.

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.