Job Purpose
To support the Hospitality Manager/Chef in delivering safe, welcoming, and high-quality catering and hospitality services across our hostel, Beacon café, and community meals. The role involves food preparation and service, maintaining high standards of hygiene and customer care, and creating a positive dining experience for residents, café customers, and the wider community.
Key Responsibilities
Catering & Food Preparation
· Support the preparation, cooking, and service of meals for hostel residents in line with agreed menus.
· Assist with food preparation and service in the community café.
· Support the delivery of monthly community meals and occasional events.
· Ensure all food is prepared and served safely, following food hygiene and allergen procedures.
· Adapt meals to meet a wide range of dietary, cultural, and religious needs.
Resident Engagement & Customer Service
· Provide a warm, respectful, and non‑judgemental service to residents, volunteers, and café customers.
· Help create a welcoming, inclusive environment in all hospitality settings.
· Communicate clearly and kindly with residents, recognising their diverse needs and experiences.
· Respond appropriately to concerns, escalating issues to the Hospitality Manager when required.
Hygiene, Health & Safety
· Maintain cleanliness in kitchens, café areas, storage, and dining spaces at all times.
· Follow food safety, allergen, COSHH, and health and safety procedures.
· Complete cleaning schedules, temperature checks, and other required records.
· Safely use catering equipment and report any faults or hazards.
Stock & Equipment Support
· Assist with deliveries, stock rotation, and correct storage of food and supplies.
· Help reduce food waste through portion control and stock awareness.
· Support the refilling, cleaning, and monitoring of vending machines as required.
Teamwork & Operations
· Work as part of a rota‑based team, providing reliable cover across 7 days a week.
· Support colleagues during busy periods and across different service areas (hostel, café, community meals).
· Attend team meetings, training, and supervision.
· Uphold YMCA St Helens’ values, policies, and safeguarding responsibilities.
The above is an indicative job description; there may be times when you are asked to complete other work commensurate with the role.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
· Experience working in a catering, hospitality, café, or food service environment.
· Basic knowledge of food hygiene and safe food handling practices.
· Understanding of the importance of allergen awareness and dietary needs.
· Experience providing good customer service in a busy environment.
· Ability to work well as part of a team within a rota system.
· Good communication skills, with a friendly and approachable manner.
· Ability to work calmly under pressure and manage competing tasks.
· Willingness to learn and follow procedures.
Desirable Criteria
· Experience working with homeless or vulnerable people.
· Food Safety Level 2 (or willingness to work towards).
· Experience supporting community meals or events.
· Understanding of cultural and religious dietary requirements.
· Experience using commercial kitchen equipment or café point‑of‑sale systems.
Our Values
Creating Connection – Providing environments and moments in time that enable us to feel secure enough to move on.
Glass Half Full – Playing to our strengths, building capabilities and communicating clearly, the positive things that we offer.
Nurturing Trust – Generating ways for mutual trust to grow and be shown.
Focus on Flourishing – Embracing learning in all its forms, growing our confidence and seeing achievements, great and small, as steps towards success.
Compassion in Action - Listening with empathy and acting generously to be of service, with kindness.
Pay: £14,019.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
Work Location: In person
