Catering Assistant

Job summary

** Please note that this role is not on the Home Office list of occupations eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. **

** Previous applicants need not apply **

The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is a leading healthcare provider committed to delivering exceptional patient care. Our catering department plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of our patients, staff, and visitors. You will primarily be based at Pontefract Hospital but MUST be prepared to work across all sites including Pinderfields and Dewsbury Hospitals when required.

As a Catering Assistant, you will be responsible for providing high-quality food and beverage services within our hospital. Your duties will include:

• Preparing and serving meals to patients, staff, and visitors
• Maintaining a clean and hygienic working environment
• Assisting in food preparation and cooking
• Adhering to food safety and hygiene regulations
• Providing excellent customer service

Requirements:

• Previous experience in a catering or food service environment is preferred but not essential
• Strong work ethic and commitment to providing excellent service
• Ability to work well under pressure and as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills
• Basic food hygiene certification

If you are passionate about providing exceptional food service and are looking for a rewarding career in healthcare, we encourage you to apply.

** This advert may close early **

Main duties of the job

• Working as part of a team, you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the food preparation and serving areas for patients, staff and visitors.
• A willingness to work in other areas of the catering department is essential to ensure continuity of service.
• Ensuring that food hygiene legislation and the Trusts Food Safety Policy (HACCP) are adhered at all times.
• The hygienic handling of food products in accordance with food hygiene legislation and the Trust Food Safety Policy (HACCP)
• Observation of statutory and Trust food hygiene regulations.
• The post holder will provide a food service to wards and the staff restaurant under the guidance of supervisors to patients/restaurants within the hospital.
• Regeneration of patient food using equipment as trained.
• To observe portion control guidance.
• Serving patient/staff meals in an appetising and attractive manner.
• Ensure that food products are correctly re-generated according to instruction.
• Taking and recording of food temperatures and seeking further instruction where these are outside appropriate temperature limits.
• To be involved in the general cleaning following the appropriate cleaning schedules.
• Appropriate disposal of waste in accordance with instruction.
• Check stock deliveries into the catering department and complete the appropriate documentation.
• Ensure stock is dated and stock rotation procedures are observed.
• Complies with health and safety regulations.

About us

We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work. We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust. As a member of the team, you will have access to the NHS pension plan, a generous holiday allowance, employee health and wellbeing services and extensive benefits and support. These include onsite nurseries, childcare vouchers, home electronics schemes, working carers support, carer-friendly policies, and more. If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.

Details

• Date posted: 10 September 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 2
• Salary: £25,272 a year Pro-rata for part time
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference number: 001559
• Job locations: Trustwide UK, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 4DG, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Essential Person Specification Requirements

Qualifications

• Level Two Food Hygiene Certificate or IEHO – (Basic Food Hygiene Certificate)

Experience

• Previous experience of working in a commercial catering environment
• Allergen Training

Knowledge and awareness

• An awareness of all regulatory catering hygiene requirements.

Skills and abilities

• Good food preparation skills
• Able to follow written and given instruction