What does a Food and Beverage Assistant do?
Food and Beverage Assistants are employed by catering companies to provide assistance with the preparation and service of food and drink at events. A Food and Beverage Assistant can find themselves working at weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, festivals and a diverse range of public and private functions where catering services are required. Food and Beverage Assistants assist with everything from setting up tables before an event to cleaning up the venue once all the guests have left for the evening.
Food and Beverage Assistant skills and qualifications
Food and Beverage Assistant need food service and waiting skills, alongside excellent customer service skills and the ability to communicate well with guests. Food and Beverage Assistants also need excellent knowledge of food preparation and hygiene standards. A successful Food and Beverage Assistant candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that typically include:
- Ability to provide guests with up-to-date information and directions while attending the function
- Excellent food service skills, including the ability to carry three plates and to deliver drinks on trays
- Ability to work well with other team members and to follow directions from supervisors
- Knowledge of basic food preparation techniques and ability to follow basic recipes
- Excellent knowledge of food and drink pairings, particularly wine pairings
- Ability to mix cocktails and create drinks to order
- Knowledge of kitchen cleaning and pot washing equipment, such as industrial sinks or high-pressure hoses
- Valid food hygiene certificate from the Food Standards Agency
Food and Beverage Assistant experience requirements
Food and Beverage Assistants with at least one year of experience in a waitstaff, bar or kitchen environment are ideal candidates for the role. The level of experience needed can vary extensively though. Employers are often able to provide an induction to applicants with the right personality but who may have no prior experience. High-end, luxury catering companies would require more waiting experience than a catering company aimed at mid-range weddings, for instance.
Food and Beverage Assistant education and training requirements
Food and Beverage Assistants typically require GCSEs in English and maths. This demonstrates that they have the ability to communicate and perform basic arithmetic tasks if needed. Formal education or catering training isn’t necessary if the employer offers on-the-job training to applicants. Employers can also look for applicants with an existing skill set who have taken a course in food and beverage service or courses related to hospitality.
Food and Beverage Assistant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Food and Beverage Assistant in the UK is £8.70 per hour. Salary may be dependent on experience, location and company.
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