Food service assistant

Food service assistants carry out a range of tasks that include food preparation, taking orders for meals, serving food, taking money, clearing tables and washing up. They work in places such as cafés, fast food outlets and restaurants.

Also known as:

• Café assistant
• Canteen assistant
• Catering assistant
• Counter service assistant
• Crew member – fast food
• Fast food assistant

Work activities

When you go to a café, a fast-food outlet or a restaurant, the person you deal with will usually be a food service assistant. They take your order, serve your food, take the payment and clean tables. But the range of duties they do depends on the kind of place they work in.

In a fast-food outlet, the food service assistant often serves from behind a counter. They do a lot of other tasks, such as:

• Putting deliveries into the stock rooms.
• Making drinks such as coffee, smoothies and milkshakes.
• Preparing and cooking food.
• Taking orders and payment.
• Handing customers their food.
• Clearing tables and doing other general cleaning tasks.

They work in teams (sometimes called “crews”) where all members work closely together. They often rotate tasks through the day to gain experience and skills in all areas.

Food service assistants in cafés do the same kinds of task. But they could also take orders and serve food at the customers’ tables. They might make some meals (such as sandwiches and salads). They might also help with washing pans and loading dishwashers (there isn’t as much of this in fast food outlets because of the use of disposable cups and containers).

In restaurants, the kind of jobs done by food service assistants varies a lot. This is because there are many different types of restaurants. For instance, there are restaurants in department stores, factories, colleges, service stations and pubs. Then there are high street chain restaurants (like pizza restaurants), hotel restaurants and small, independent restaurants. Restaurants also have different themes and styles, such as carvery, buffet, sushi and so on. In a restaurant, a food service assistant might set food out on self-service counters, help to prepare food for the chefs to cook, clear tables and keep the restaurant clean and tidy. They all need to follow health and safety procedures.

Food service assistants also work in tea rooms, coffee shops, sandwich bars and mobile catering vans. They might wear a uniform.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal qualities and skills

As a food service assistant, you need:

• To be friendly and get on well with people.
• To deal tactfully and politely with customers.
• Lots of energy and stamina; you’ll be on your feet a lot.
• To work efficiently at busy times and stay calm under pressure.
• A high standard of personal cleanliness,
• A neat and tidy appearance.
• Number skills to handle money.

Some places put on special events, like parties for children, or market themselves on their fun atmosphere. To work in places like this, you’ll need a lively, outgoing personality.

The following skills shortages have been identified in this industry:

• Customer service skills.
• Identifying, and being responsive to, the needs of customers.
• Clear communication skills.
• The ability to develop customer loyalty, increasing repeat business.
• Complaint-handling skills.

Pay and opportunities

Wages vary depending on the type of employer. The pay rates given are approximate. Food service assistants earn around £13,000, rising to £23,000 a year with additional duties such as management responsibilities.

Food service assistants work 40-42 hours a week, which can include shift work, split shifts, early starts, late finishes, weekend work and public holidays. Overtime might be available. Part-time, temporary and seasonal employment is possible.

Employers include cafés, fast food outlets, hotels, restaurants, work and school canteens and hospitals. Theme parks and other leisure operations also employ food service assistants. Opportunities for food service assistants occur in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK, including around the coast.

What’s happening in this work area? T

The overall number of people employed in the food and drink industry is expected to fall. However, projections suggest that recruitment levels will remain high due to the high turnover levels of the industry, and because over a third of the current workforce is due to retire over the next 20 years.

Employers are keen to attract committed full-time, permanent staff, and opportunities to progress for these employees are considerable. There is a demand for new workers to replace those who have changed jobs or left the industry.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Vacancies can also be found through specialist recruitment agencies and job boards. Many of the larger employers (such as chains of fast-food outlets, hotels and restaurants) have their own website, and usually advertise vacancies as they arise. You could also approach employers directly and ask about vacancies.

Entry routes and training

You don’t need any qualifications to get a job as a food service assistant, but good spoken English and the ability to work with numbers are useful. Doing a course in hospitality and catering at school or college could be useful. A food safety qualification might also be worthwhile.

A level 2 (intermediate) apprenticeship in the role of hospitality team member is available.

Training is often on-the-job and might not lead to qualifications. But some employers do encourage staff to gain relevant work-based qualifications. Many large companies have their own in-house training and reward schemes for their employees to work towards.

With training and experience, it could be possible to move into managerial positions.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have relevant skills and abilities gained in dealing with the public, customer service or retail work.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who don’t meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

Related careers

• Baker
• Bar staff
• Chef/cook
• Cinema/theatre attendant
• Hotel porter
• Kitchen assistant
• Sommelier
• Waiter