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What a catering assistant does
A catering assistant provides general support across food preparation and service. The role spans basic prep, serving food, setting up and clearing service areas, washing up and keeping the catering area clean and stocked.
Catering assistants work in many settings, from school and workplace canteens to hospitals and events. The role is practical, varied and team-based, and it is a common entry point into wider catering and hospitality work.
Core responsibilities
- Helping prepare food and ingredients.
- Serving food and drink to customers or guests.
- Setting up and clearing serving and dining areas.
- Washing up and keeping the area clean.
- Restocking counters and supplies.
- Following food-safety, hygiene and allergen rules.
Skills and qualities
- Reliability and a willing, flexible attitude.
- Friendly service when dealing with customers.
- Attention to cleanliness and hygiene.
- Ability to keep pace during busy periods.
- Teamwork and clear communication.
- Basic food-safety awareness.
Typical employers and settings
- Schools, colleges and universities.
- Workplace and contract-catering canteens.
- Hospitals and care settings.
- Events, conferences and functions.
- Cafés and food-service outlets.
How the role is recruited
- Roles are filled directly or through catering agencies.
- Applications are usually short and focus on availability.
- Screening checks reliability, flexibility and right to work.
- Interviews are brief and practical, sometimes with a trial shift.
- Onboarding covers hygiene rules, service routines and equipment.
Documents involved
- A short job advert and simple job description.
- An employment contract or agency assignment terms.
- An offer letter confirming role, hours and start date.
- Food-safety or hygiene awareness where required.
- Right-to-work and identity checks as required.
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