Senior Catering Assistant


Company:	Emmaus Cambridge
Salary:	from £26,227.50 a year, pro rata
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Cambridge, CB25 9FD
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	8 Sept 2026
Closing date:	6 Oct 2026

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Summary

The Senior Catering Assistant plays a key role in delivering high-quality catering services, mentoring residents, and ensuring seamless operations across both Joan’s Coffee Shop and our community kitchen. The thriving coffee shop offers a friendly welcome for customers to enjoy delicious meals, snacks and drinks. The community kitchen is where all meals for residents are prepared, as well as providing a place for residents to develop skills such as food preparation and teamwork.

Mentoring:

Work closely with residents and serve as a positive, inspiring role model to help create an environment where everyone feels empowered to learn and grow.

Mentor and train residents and volunteers in the roles they undertake within the coffee shop.

Support residents to develop vital life skills such as preparation of healthy meals, kitchen safety and hygiene, meal planning and teamworking.

Food Preparation & Cooking:

Ensure the quality of food presented remains high by taking pride in delivering excellence, ensuring every dish is prepared with care and presented beautifully Prepare and cook a variety of menu items, including sandwiches, salads, pastries, breakfast items, lunch offerings, and an evening meal.

When working in the community kitchen, show initiative and creativity in developing appealing and well-balanced meals.

Ensure the consistency and quality of food items, maintaining the coffee shop’s high standards.

Work with the Catering Manager and the catering team to collaborate on the creation of new menu items or specials based on seasonal ingredients and customer preferences.

Monitor and help to minimise food waste and move us in the direction of sustainability.

Collaboration & Communication Work closely with colleagues, volunteers and residents to ensure a smooth operation and timely food delivery, providing day-to-day support where needed in each area of operations.

Communicate effectively with team members to ensure customer satisfaction. Provide feedback to the support team to help with the progress of residents undertaking their role in the coffee shop or community kitchen.

Customer Satisfaction: Ensure food presentation is appealing and consistent to meet customer expectations.

Respond to customer feedback or special requests regarding food orders, supporting other colleagues in this area, as required.

Contribute to creating a welcoming and friendly environment in the coffee shop or

Kitchen Management including Health and Safety:

Place supplier orders on behalf of the Catering Manager, as required, checking stock levels and working within approved budgets.

Provide oversight and monitor food hygiene to be compliant with regulations, maintain the highest standards of kitchen hygiene and cleanliness to retain our five-star rating.

Support residents to undertake their roles in the coffee shop, including supporting residents to achieve agreed standards, providing guidance when required.

Ensure all food is labelled, stored, rotated, handled, and prepared according to health and safety regulations.

Complete daily paperwork using Safer Food Better Business.

Record and have allergen information available on request.

Regularly check kitchen equipment to ensure it is in good working condition, reporting any faults and discussing any issues with the Catering Manager.

Ensure daily compliance checks are undertaken and recorded, including opening and closing procedures, fridge and food temperature records, and securing of kitchen facilities.

Take responsibility for the Kitchen Porter, Till Operator and Food Runner, supporting them with the completion of checklists to a satisfactory standard, including delivering supportive training, as required.

Adhere to all health and safety legislation, Emmaus Cambridge policies and procedures and COSHH regulations.resident kitchen.

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