Seasonal Food & Beverage Assistant

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical Food & Beverage setting – where else could you stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members.

Each year, we have plenty of exciting seasonal opportunities within our Retail, Operation, Admissions and Food and Beverage teams, to undertake a variety of tasks such as picking stock in our warehouse, stewarding the car parks, working in our gift shops, welcoming guests, or serving food and drinks to our 2 million visitors. No two days will be the same!

The Role:

Food & Beverage at the zoo includes fast food restaurants, coffee shops, kiosks, a warehouse, a picnic parlour and a 450 seat street kitchen serving Indonesian inspired food, as well as the Oakfield, which is our award winning British gastro-pub. We are looking for people who are dynamic and flexible to work across these units. The roles include customer service, waiting on, food & drinks preparation, cash handling and ensuring our outlets are kept clean for our visitors.

The Package

• Seasonal contract, starting 3 April, until 3 September 2023
• Rate of pay of £10.49 per hour regardless of age
• Working on a rota basis, between 8 and 40 hours per week
• Annual leave which accrues based on hours of work
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Potential of free bus travel available from Chester and Ellesmere Port train stations

Our Requirements

• Be passionate about excellent customer service and be a strong communicator.
• Be confident, flexible and approachable with a “can do” attitude.

Experience of working within a fast paced Food & Beverage environment, as well as experience of cash handling and using EPOS systems would be advantageous.

Flexibility in these roles is key, so the successful candidates must be able to work up to 5 days out of 7 every week, which will include weekends and bank holidays as rostered.

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for the role will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once the successful candidates are found. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible. The induction is mandatory and will take place on the 3 April 2023, you must be able to attend on this date.

Join our team and help us prevent extinction!

If you are interested in starting with us later in the year we will have a further intake in July – please keep an eye on our website and apply closer to this time.