Relief Kitchen Assistant

Job summary

The Relief Kitchen Assistant provides flexible, as-and-when-required support across Jewish Cares care homes, community centres, and campus environments. Working as part of the Catering & Hospitality team, the postholder will assist in delivering high-quality, nutritious, and culturally appropriate meals to residents, tenants, visitors, and staff. The role includes basic food preparation, serving meals and beverages, maintaining clean and hygienic kitchen and dining areas, and supporting the smooth operation of hospitality services. As a relief worker, the postholder will provide cover for staff absence, ensuring continuity of service and maintaining high standards of food safety, cleanliness, and customer service across all settings.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a reliable and flexible Relief Kitchen Assistant to join our Hospitality team. You will support the preparation and service of meals, maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in kitchen and dining areas, and help ensure a positive dining experience for residents and service users. The role involves working across multiple sites on a relief basis, covering shifts as required, including weekends and early starts. The successful candidate will be a team player with good communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to high standards of food hygiene and customer service. Previous kitchen or catering experience is desirable, and full training will be provided.

About us

Jewish Care is the largest health and social care charity serving the Jewish community in London and the South East. Every week, our services support around 12,000 people through residential care, nursing care, retirement living, housing with care, community support, mental health services, and wellbeing programmes. Our Catering & Hospitality teams play a vital role in creating warm, welcoming environments by providing nutritious, culturally appropriate meals and excellent service across all our services. Guided by our values of Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Inclusiveness, we are committed to delivering high-quality care and support that enhances wellbeing and daily life for everyone who uses our services.

Details

• Date posted: 16 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £14.40 an hour
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference number: VPEF6211C5
• Job locations: Friern Barnet, N11 3ND, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

At Jewish Care, food is more than just a mealits about comfort, community, and connection. Across our care homes and community centres, our catering teams play a vital role in creating welcoming environments where people feel at home.

About the role

Were looking for a Relief Kitchen Assistant to join our friendly catering team, supporting the delivery of high-quality meals and hospitality services.

This is a hands-on role where youll be part of a busy kitchen, helping with food preparation, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food safety, and supporting a great dining experience for our residents and community members.

The role involves regular use of commercial dishwashing equipment and the movement of catering trolleys, food deliveries, and other kitchen equipment throughout the day. As such, candidates should be physically fit and comfortable undertaking manual handling tasks, including moving and manoeuvring heavy items safely as part of their daily duties.

We are looking for someone who enjoys working as part of a team, takes pride in maintaining a clean and organised environment, and is willing to contribute to the smooth running of a busy kitchen service.

This post is for relief/ bank work on a casual as and when required basis. Typical shifts would be from 7am to 3pm or 11am to 7pm.

What youll be doing

• Regular use of commercial dishwashing equipment and the safe movement of catering trolleys, food deliveries, and other kitchen equipment throughout the day.
• Assisting with basic food preparation
• Washing dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment
• Keeping kitchen and dining areas clean and organised
• Supporting meal service and preparing dining areas
• Helping with hospitality and special events
• Working closely with chefs and front-of-house teams

What were looking for

You dont need previous experiencewell provide training. What matters most is your attitude:

• Reliable and hardworking
• A team player who enjoys being busy
• Takes pride in cleanliness and hygiene
• Friendly and approachable
• Willing to learn and support others

Experience in a kitchen or catering environment is helpful but not essential.

Working pattern

Typically 5 days out of 7, including some weekends Shifts may include:

7:00am 3:00pm 11:00am 7:00pm

Flexibility to support occasional evening events and holidays