General Assistant

Wilson Vale; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious catering company in Oxford is seeking a General Assistant to support food preparation and service. This role emphasizes teamwork, high food hygiene standards, and customer service skills. Applicants should be organized and capable of working under pressure. The position offers a fun working environment and several perks, including craft training and personal well-being support. The ideal candidate will thrive in a busy, vibrant catering setting.

Benefits

Fun and inspiring working environment

Free craft-focused training

Paid bespoke training

Employee Assistance Programme

Online employee benefits scheme

Birthday off after 1 year's service

Enhanced Maternity Pay

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role and high-pressure environment.
• Compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Ability to maintain hygiene standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist chefs with food preparation and service.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene of all areas.
• Provide excellent customer service during meals.

Skills

Food hygiene standards

Customer service skills

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Basic food knowledge

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity to become our new General Assistant to join a prestigious College in Oxford OX1 3LZ.

Salary; circa. £19,500

We are a fresh, food-led operation open seven days a week, welcoming an average of 200 guests daily, in addition to providing hospitality services. As our General Assistant you will assist the chef's with food prep, service and general kitchen duties as needed. We take great pride in the high quality of our offering, which includes daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner services featuring buffets, a salad bar, a grab-and-go section, and freshly baked goods. We also provide daily specials and host fine dining dinners, special events, and themed social gatherings. We place a strong emphasis on guest interaction during service, so you must be personable, approachable, and well presented.

This is a permanent, term-time only, position based on a 35-hour working week. Shifts will be on a rota basis between the hours of 6am and midnight to accommodate special evening events. For this reason, flexibility is essential in this role.

Wilson Vale is an established, quality-led contract caterer. We work with amazing clients across the UK who place huge value on great food as a key part of their culture and community. We work in office restaurants, independent schools and at conference venues with the same high-end ethos throughout.

We are looking for a positive, honest and reliable employee to join our friendly and hardworking team. We can offer good training and prospects within our team for the right candidate.

Skills and Experience

• Have experience working in a similar role and environment
• Be highly organised and comfortable working in a high-pressured environment
• Ensure you have high standards of food hygiene and follow the rules of health and safety
• Keep up standards of hygiene and ensure all areas are clean and tidy
• Have excellent customer service and social skills
• Be responsible for the preparation and serving of food to staff
• Have a can do attitude and will work well as part of a team of 6
• Be customer focused
• Have basic food knowledge
• Be willing to participate and enjoy working part of the team

Wilson Vale Perks

• Our working environment is fun and inspiring, with excellent career development opportunities
• Craft Works – Free craft-focused career development training programme
• Paid training bespoke to you
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme - your wellbeing is very important to us
• Online employee benefits scheme - monetary savings on everyday items!
• Your Birthday off every year after 1 year's service.
• Enhanced Maternity Pay

Wilson Vale is an equal opportunities employer that strives to create an inclusive working environment for all. We are committed to supporting our people and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. From each and every person in our catering teams, to our operations and central support teams – everyone at has a voice.