Kitchen Assistant/Cook

We’re looking for an **experienced, confident and reliable kitchen all-rounder** to join our busy café team.

**MINIMUM 20 HOURS PER WEEK**

**National Minimum Wage – fixed rate, non-negotiable**

Full flexibility is essential

Shifts will fall between:

Monday–Friday: 8:00am–4:30pm

Saturday: 8:00am–4:00pm

Applicants must be able to work flexibly across these days and times when required.

This is primarily a kitchen position. We need someone with good all-round kitchen experience who can use their own initiative, see what needs doing and get on with it.

You should be confident with:

• Working from customer order tickets during busy service
• Cooking breakfasts, lunches and daily specials
• Preparing and cooking food from scratch
• Making homemade pies, quiches, scones, cakes and desserts
• Preparing sandwiches, fillings and general café food
• Managing several orders at once and prioritising tickets
• Food presentation and portion control
• Stock rotation and helping minimise waste
• Maintaining excellent standards of cleanliness and organisation
• Following food hygiene and allergen procedures
• Working independently as well as part of a team
• Bringing ideas and helping us develop new dishes, cakes, bakes and desserts

Previous kitchen/catering experience is essential.**

✔ **Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate would be beneficial**

✔ Good all-round cooking and food preparation skills

✔ Baking experience

✔ Reliable and hardworking

✔ Organised and able to work under pressure

✔ Confident working without constant supervision

✔ Able to use your own initiative

✔ Fully flexible when required

✔ Proud of the food you produce

✔ A genuine team player

We’re a small independent café, so everyone has to pull together. We need someone who doesn't stand waiting to be told what to do — we want someone who notices what needs doing and gets stuck in.

ADDITIONAL HOURS AVAILABLE

There may also be opportunities for additional front-of-house hours to cover holidays, sickness and staff absence.

Being confident with customers, taking orders, serving food and drinks and helping wherever needed would therefore be an advantage.

TO APPLY

CV, details of your previous kitchen/baking experience and your full availability.

Please check the working hours and rate of pay before applying, as both are requirements of the position.**

The Little Olive Tree NE Ltd

Chester-le-Street

Pay: £12.71 per hour

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person