Food & Beverage Assistant

CAREERS AT CHESTER ZOOFood & Beverage Assistant

Job reference: 001744

Salary: £13,218.50 per annum (based 20 hours per week)

Closing date: 10/10/2026

Department: Food & Beverage

Location: Chester

Employment type: Permanent

Hours Per Week: 20 hours (multiple positions)

Food & Beverage Assistant – Multiple Opportunities

We have multiple exciting permanent opportunities to join our Food & Beverage team at Chester Zoo.
With a wide range of outlets across the zoo, there’s plenty of variety in our Food & Beverage operation. From restaurants serving family favourites and fast food, to coffee shops, kiosks, our staff canteen, a 450-seat street kitchen serving Indonesian-inspired food and our award-winning British gastro-pub, The Oakfield, there are opportunities to suit a range of skills and experience.
You may also have the opportunity to support The Square, our purpose-built wedding and events space, during weddings, corporate functions and other special events.

The Role

As a Food & Beverage Assistant, you’ll help us provide an exceptional experience for every visitor and guest, whether they’re enjoying a quick coffee, sitting down for a freshly prepared meal, visiting The Oakfield for a drink or dining experience, or joining us for a wedding or corporate event.

Depending on the area you work in, your duties may include:

• Welcoming and providing exceptional customer service to visitors and guests
• Taking and preparing food and drink orders
• Preparing and serving food and drinks, including table service
• Using your barista skills to create hand-crafted beverages
• Providing recommendations on our food and drink options
• Operating EPOS systems and handling cash and payments
• Keeping restaurants, cafés, bars and dining areas clean, tidy and well stocked
• Supporting our Chef teams in the kitchen when required
• Carrying out general front of house duties across our restaurants, cafés, kiosks and other F&B outlets
• Supporting The Oakfield and The Square with weddings, corporate functions and other events
• Helping with the set-up, preparation and break-down of events
• Supporting other Food & Beverage outlets across the zoo when required

Wherever you’re based, you’ll be part of a team that works efficiently, positively and with our visitors and guests at the heart of everything we do.

The Package

There are a multiple contracts available, with opportunities for additional hours during our busier periods.
You will be required to be flexible and willing to work a variety of shifts on a rota basis, including weekends and bank holidays. Working hours will generally fall within our core zoo opening hours, although early morning and evening work may be required for weddings, corporate functions, special events and late-night openings (Oakfield only)

Your package will depend on the role and contracted hours and may include:

• Permanent contract
• Salary of £13,218.50 per annum pro rata
• 33 days annual leave pro rata
• Annual holiday buy/sell scheme
• Staff pass to visit the zoo during your time off, plus complimentary tickets for friends and family
• Free travel to and from work on the X1 bus service from Chester and Ellesmere Port
• Healthcare plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more through Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Additional hours and overtime opportunities during busy periods

Our Requirements

We’re looking for people who enjoy working with people and take pride in delivering great service.
You’ll need:

• Excellent customer service skills
• A flexible, positive and “can do” attitude
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Experience of working in a busy, high-volume environment
• Cash handling and EPOS experience
• A good level of numeracy…