General Catering Assistant

General Catering Assistant

The closing date is 29 January 2026

To prepare and serve food to a high standard for distribution across the hospital, ensuring it meets user expectations and responds to the needs of patients, visitors and staff through consistently excellent customer service. The post holder will work across various areas within the department and maintain high standards of hygiene and presentation at all times, supporting Supervisors and Managers by keeping all preparation and kitchen areas clean, tidy and well‑organised.

The role also includes ensuring staff, equipment and food resources are used efficiently and cost‑effectively to support the overall delivery of the service.

Main duties include assisting with basic food preparation such as baguettes, sandwiches, salads, fruit and vegetables, beverages and other tasks as directed by the Catering Manager. The post holder will also serve customers politely and professionally at all times, ensuring a positive experience within the catering department and responding to the needs of patients, visitors and staff through excellent customer service.

Responsibilities also include replenishing and monitoring stock on shelves, ensuring timely re‑ordering through the correct procedures. The post holder will operate cash registers and manage cash takings in line with departmental guidelines. They will clean equipment and work areas—including storage spaces and temperature‑controlled areas—in accordance with HACCP guidance and with full understanding of COSHH requirements. They will also monitor and replenish cleaning materials, portable cleaning equipment and disposables, ensuring stock levels remain adequate and reordering when required.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas on two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high‑performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff.

As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high‑quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours that underpin our Trust’s core values. We achieve this by using values‑based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when a sufficient number of applications have been received.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering the first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all attached documents to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

• Assist with basic food preparation, including baguettes, sandwiches, salads, fruit and vegetables, beverages and other tasks directed by the Catering Manager.
• Provide polite, professional customer service at all times to ensure a positive experience for patients, visitors and staff.
• Replenish and monitor stock on shelves, ensuring timely re‑ordering through the correct procedures.
• Operate cash registers and manage cash takings in line with departmental guidelines.
• Participate in daily cleaning duties according to the departmental cleaning schedule—cleaning equipment, storage areas and temperature‑controlled spaces in line with HACCP guidance and full awareness of COSHH requirements.
• Monitor kitchen areas for signs of pest activity and report any concerns to the Catering Manager so appropriate action can be taken.
• Ensure all food waste is disposed of using the food waste machine and that other waste is compacted and…