Catering Assistant Jobs in Gateshead NE8 | Immediate Start & Flexible Shifts

Staffing Agency is urgently recruiting reliable and experienced Catering Assistants for multiple temporary and temp-to-perm roles across Gateshead NE8 and the surrounding Tyne and Wear region. Apply today for an ASAP start, competitive weekly pay, and a foot in the door with leading local employers.
Catering Assistant Job Description
Are you a hands-on, reliable individual with a passion for food service and a keen eye for cleanliness? We are looking for dedicated Catering Assistants to join our team of temporary staff supporting a variety of clients in Gateshead NE8. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, whether it's a busy corporate canteen, a school kitchen, or a healthcare setting.
As a leading UK staffing agency for hospitality and catering jobs, Staffing Agency partners with esteemed local businesses, educational institutions, and event companies. We don't just fill vacancies; we build lasting careers. By registering with us, you gain access to exclusive roles that aren't always advertised publicly, and you'll be supported by a consultant who knows the Gateshead job market inside out.
🌟 The Role At A Glance
- Position: Catering Assistant (Multiple Vacancies)
- Sector: Hospitality, Education, Healthcare, Corporate Catering
- Shifts: Flexible – Full-time, Part-time, Weekends, Mornings, Evenings
- Career Path: Great entry point to become a Kitchen Porter, Chef, or Supervisor.
As a Catering Assistant in Gateshead, your day will be varied and essential to the smooth running of the kitchen and service areas. Your core duties will include:
- 1 Food Preparation & Service Support: Assisting chefs and cooks with basic food prep—washing, peeling, chopping vegetables, preparing salads, and making sandwiches. Setting up service counters, replenishing food items, and serving customers in a polite and efficient manner.
- 2 Cleaning & Hygiene Maintenance: Ensuring all kitchen and dining areas are kept to the highest standards of cleanliness. This includes washing up, operating industrial dishwashers, cleaning work surfaces, equipment, floors, and waste disposal areas. Adherence to strict Food Safety (Level 2) and HACCP procedures is paramount.
- 3 Stock Control & Storage: Receiving, checking, and safely storing deliveries. Rotating stock using FIFO (First In, First Out) methods, assisting with stock takes, and ensuring storage areas are tidy and organised.
- 4 Team Collaboration & Safety: Working effectively as part of a team in a often busy and hot environment. Following all health and safety protocols, including safe use of chemicals, manual handling techniques, and reporting any hazards or equipment faults immediately.
- 5 Customer Interaction: In front-of-house roles, you may interact directly with customers, staff, or students, requiring a friendly and helpful demeanour. Handling cashless payments and maintaining a positive, professional image for the catering operation.
We value attitude and reliability as much as experience. Here’s what we’re looking for in our ideal candidate:
- Essential: A positive, can-do attitude and a strong work ethic. Reliability and punctuality are non-negotiable. The ability to work well under pressure and as part of a team.
- Experience & Certification: Previous experience in a catering, kitchen, or cleaning role is a significant advantage. A valid Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2) is highly desirable, but we can help you obtain one if needed.
- Physical Fitness: The role involves manual handling, standing for long periods, lifting moderate weights (like stock boxes), and working in a warm environment.
- Right to Work: Must have the legal right to work in the UK. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Don't have formal experience? Your transferable skills from roles like a School Cleaner, retail, or any fast-paced customer service job are valuable! We also have specific pathways for those seeking no experience jobs in the city with an immediate start.
Salary, Pay & Benefits for Catering Assistants
What You'll Earn & Receive
💰 Competitive Pay Structure
- Standard Rate: £11.50 - £12.50 per hour
- Enhanced Rate (Weekends/Bank Holidays): Up to £13.50 per hour
- Payment: Weekly PAYE, directly into your bank account.
- Overtime: Often available at an enhanced rate.
*Pay rates are dependent on the specific client, shift pattern, and your experience. All rates are clearly agreed before you start any assignment.
🎁 Benefits of Working With Us
- Immediate Start: Get working and earning quickly after a fast registration.
- Flexible Shifts: Choose shifts that fit your life – perfect for students, parents, or those with other commitments.
- Career Progression: Access to training (e.g., Food Safety) and potential temp-to-perm roles.
- Dedicated Support: Your own consultant and 24/7 support line.
- Variety: Work across different sites and sectors in Gateshead.
Unlike some generic job boards, as a specialised top recruitment agency in the UK, we negotiate the best possible rates on your behalf and ensure you are paid accurately and on time, every time. We handle the admin, so you can focus on the job.
How to Apply for Catering Assistant Roles in Gateshead
Your Quick-Start Application Guide
The process is simple, fast, and designed to get you into work with minimal delay.
- Submit Your Details
Click the"Apply Now" button on this page or send your CV directly. Ensure your CV highlights any relevant experience in catering, cleaning, or customer service.
- Speak With Our Gateshead Team
A consultant will call you for a brief, friendly chat to discuss your availability, experience, and the roles we have that match. This isn't a formal interview, but a chance to get to know you.
- Fast-Track Registration
We'll guide you through our quick online registration and compliance checks (Right to Work, references). We can often do this within 24-48 hours.
- Start Your First Assignment
Once cleared, we'll match you with a suitable Catering Assistant role in Gateshead NE8 and you can start earning immediately. Your consultant will remain your point of contact throughout.
📧 If you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions (Catering Assistant Jobs)
In almost all cases, the client will provide any necessary uniform (e.g., chef whites, apron, hat) and PPE. You will typically need to provide your own sensible, non-slip, closed-toe safety shoes. Your consultant will confirm the specific requirements for each assignment before you start.
Our clients are diverse. You could be placed in large corporate headquarters, further education colleges, NHS hospital kitchens, private care homes, or high-volume contract caterers at venues like the Metrocentre. We also staff for temporary events jobs in the UK, which might include concerts or sporting events at local stadiums.
Absolutely. Many of our temporary Catering Assistant assignments are"temp-to-perm." This means the client uses the temporary period to assess your fit for their team. If you perform well and a permanent vacancy arises, you are often first in line. It's a fantastic way to trial a workplace without commitment.
Yes, definitely! The skills are highly transferable—attention to detail, working to high hygiene standards, reliability. We often have candidates who work morning shifts as a School Cleaner and evening shifts in catering, or vice-versa. When you register, tell your consultant about all your skills so we can maximise your opportunities. Explore our full range of catering jobs in the UK and other sectors.
For candidates with all their documents ready (Right to Work, proof of address, bank details, and references), we can often complete registration within 24-48 hours. Given the urgent nature of many of these roles, you could be on shift by the start of the next week, or even sooner. Check out our immediate start jobs page to see the current fastest-starting roles.
Why Choose Staffing Agency?
As a trusted local recruitment partner in Gateshead, we're more than just a job board. We're your career advocate.
- Local Experts: We know the Gateshead NE8 job market intimately.
- Weekly Pay Guaranteed: Reliable, on-time payments every week.
- 24/7 Support: A dedicated consultant and out-of-hours helpline.
- Wide Network: Access to the best temporary and permanent roles with top employers.
Other Urgent Roles in Gateshead
A Day in Catering & Hospitality
Wondering what a career in catering is really like? Get a behind-the-scenes look at the skills, pace, and teamwork involved.
"Day in the Life of a Catering Manager" – See the logistics and teamwork behind successful events.
Ready to Apply? Contact Us.
Our Gateshead-focused team is ready to help you start your next catering role.
If you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected]
Stop Searching. Start Earning This Week.
Your next role as a Catering Assistant in Gateshead is just one click away. Immediate starts, flexible hours, and local work.
Staffing Agency is an equal opportunities employer and recruitment agency. | Gateshead NE8 | Contact Us