Immediate Start Restaurant Assistant Role in Sunderland SR5 | Catering Jobs
Catering Jobs is recruiting experienced Restaurant Assistants for an immediate temporary-to-permanent placement with a leading hospitality venue in the Sunderland SR5 area. This is an urgent, ASAP start opportunity offering competitive pay, flexible shifts, and a clear pathway for career progression in catering and hospitality.
Immediate interview slots available.
Sunderland SR5
Prime hospitality district
ASAP / Immediate
Next 48-72 hours
Competitive
Weekly pay, based on experience
Temp-to-Perm
Potential for permanent role
Restaurant Assistant Job Description: Your Role in Sunderland's Hospitality Scene
As a Restaurant Assistant placed through Catering Jobs in Sunderland SR5, you will be the backbone of a dynamic, customer-focused venue. This is more than a job; it's an entry point into a thriving sector where your practical support directly contributes to memorable dining experiences and smooth operational flow. We are partnering with a well-established restaurant group that values reliability, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic above all.
Why apply through Catering Jobs? We are not just a job board; we are your local catering staff agency with deep roots in the North East. Our consultants live and work in the region, giving us unmatched insight into the best venues and the most rewarding opportunities. For those seeking flexible work, we also manage a range of event catering staff roles across the region. This specific Restaurant Assistant position is perfect for someone looking to build a stable career or for an experienced professional seeking a change of scene with an employer who invests in their team.
A Day in the Life: Core Responsibilities
Your duties will be varied, ensuring no two shifts are the same. You will work closely with waiting staff, kitchen porters, and the Chef team to maintain the high standards our client is known for.
- Front-of-House Support: Assisting waiters and waitresses with table setting, clearing, and resetting during peak service times. You will ensure all customer areas are clean, well-stocked, and presented impeccably.
- Back-of-House Operations: Working with the kitchen team to manage stock rotation, basic food preparation (e.g., salad assembly, garnishes), and ensuring the pot wash area runs efficiently. This role shares some duties with a Food Production Operative in a fast-paced environment.
- Customer Service: Providing a friendly, helpful, and professional presence. You may be the first point of contact for guests collecting takeaway orders or needing directions, requiring clear communication and a polite manner.
- Health & Safety Compliance: Adhering strictly to all food hygiene and safety regulations, including allergen awareness, correct storage procedures, and maintaining a clean, hazard-free workspace for both staff and customers.
- Team Collaboration: Being a reliable and proactive member of the wider team, supporting colleagues during busy periods and contributing to a positive, energetic workplace culture that the venue prides itself on.
Essential Skills & Experience We Require
The ideal candidate will possess a blend of practical experience and the right attitude. While full training on specific procedures will be provided, a foundational understanding of hospitality is key.
Must-Have Experience
- At least 6 months of experience in a customer-facing role, ideally within a restaurant, hotel, or busy café environment.
- Basic food hygiene certificate (Level 2) is highly desirable, or a willingness to complete this immediately.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment where multitasking is essential.
Key Personal Attributes
- Exceptional communication skills and a genuine passion for providing excellent service.
- Reliability and punctuality – the client's operation depends on a full team starting on time.
- A proactive, can-do attitude and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a close-knit team.
- Physical fitness to be on your feet for extended periods and handle moderate lifting (e.g., crates of stock).
Salary & Benefits Package
We believe in transparent, fair remuneration for hard work. This Sunderland SR5 role offers a comprehensive package designed for stability and growth.
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Competitive Hourly Rate: Paid weekly via PAYE. Rate is dependent on experience and shift patterns (weekends/bank holidays may attract enhanced pay).
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Temp-to-Perm Pathway: Proven performance can lead directly to a permanent contract with the client, including company benefits.
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Career Development: Access to discounted training courses (e.g., advanced food safety, wine knowledge) and potential to progress into supervisory or specialised chef roles.
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Flexible Shifts: A range of full-time and part-time hours are available, including evenings and weekends, to suit different lifestyles.
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Support & Security: You are employed by Catering Jobs, a reputable agency offering holiday pay, pension options, and a dedicated consultant for ongoing support.
Why Temporary Work Can Be Your Career Launchpad
Considering agency work but unsure? Our latest video breaks down the real-world benefits of temporary roles in the UK's thriving hospitality and catering sector, from flexibility and varied experience to fast-tracked permanent opportunities.
At Catering Jobs, we specialise in connecting talented individuals with urgent short-term catering jobs that often lead to long-term careers. This Sunderland SR5 Restaurant Assistant role is a perfect example.
Read our comprehensive guide to temporary agency workTemporary vs Permanent Work: Which Is Better for You?
How to Apply for This Sunderland SR5 Role
Three Simple Steps to Your New Role
Express Interest
Send your CV and a brief note to [email protected] with the subject line"Restaurant Assistant SR5 Application". Our team reviews applications daily.
Quick Call Screening
If your experience matches, a consultant will call you to discuss your availability, experience, and the role in more detail. This is a two-way conversation.
Interview & Placement
Successful candidates will have a fast-track interview, often on the same day. Upon passing right-to-work checks, you can start immediately.
We pride ourselves on a human, efficient process. Unlike generic online applications, you'll speak directly to a consultant who understands the Sunderland hospitality market.
Prepare These Documents for a Smooth Start
To comply with UK employment law and get you started quickly, please ensure you have the following ready. If you are missing any, talk to us – we can often help.
Essential Documentation Checklist
- An up-to-date CV detailing all relevant work history
- Proof of Right to Work in the UK (Passport, Birth Certificate etc.)
- National Insurance Number
- Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement from last 3 months)
- Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2) - Can be arranged if missing
- Bank details for payment
What to Expect After You Apply
Our goal is to move quickly. The client needs staff now, so our process is designed for speed without compromising on quality or support for you.
The Interview
Conducted either in our local Sunderland office or via video call. It's informal and practical. Be prepared to discuss your experience, your understanding of the role, and your availability. We may also ask scenario-based questions relevant to a restaurant environment.
Offer & Onboarding
If successful, you'll receive a formal offer from Catering Jobs. We will handle all paperwork digitally where possible. You'll be assigned a dedicated consultant who will be your point of contact for any queries, shift confirmations, and support throughout your assignment.
Your First Shift & Beyond
You'll receive a full briefing on the client's site, dress code, and key contacts. Your consultant will check in after your first shift. Performance feedback is continuous, and opportunities for more hours, different venues, or upskilling are regularly discussed. For those excelling, we can facilitate introductions to catering general manager networks for long-term career planning.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
This Sunderland SR5 Restaurant Assistant role is interviewing now. Don't miss this immediate start opportunity.
Email Your CV Now → Call +44 203 086 9080If you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions: Restaurant Assistant Jobs in Sunderland
A Restaurant Assistant is a versatile support role crucial to the smooth running of a restaurant. While a Waiter or Waitress focuses primarily on direct customer service, taking orders, and serving food, a Restaurant Assistant provides the foundational support that enables them to do their job effectively.
Your duties would be split between front-of-house (clearing tables, resetting, stocking service stations) and back-of-house (supporting kitchen porters, basic food prep, maintaining cleanliness). It's an excellent role for building all-round hospitality experience and is often a stepping stone to more specialised front-of-house or kitchen positions.
Absolutely. While a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate is highly desirable and often required by the client, it is not always an immediate barrier for the right candidate. Catering Jobs, as your agency employer, can often facilitate and fund the completion of this essential qualification once you are registered.
We would prioritise candidates with a willingness to complete the course immediately. It's an online course that can be done flexibly around your schedule and significantly boosts your employability not just for this role, but for any future catering jobs.
This specific client operates a busy restaurant with service spanning lunch and dinner. Shift patterns are typically split between:
- Lunch shifts: 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Evening shifts: 5:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- Full-day shifts: 10:30 AM - 11:30 PM (with breaks) for weekends or events.
Part-time candidates would typically work 3-4 shifts per week, while full-time would be 5. Flexibility is valued, especially for covering weekends and bank holidays, which may attract enhanced pay rates. We also have similar patterns for premier hospitality jobs in other regions.
You are employed directly by Catering Jobs and paid weekly via PAYE, meaning tax and National Insurance are deducted at source, just like a permanent role. You will submit timesheets (digitally) which are approved by the client. Payment is then made into your bank account, usually on a Friday for the previous week's work.
Benefits include statutory holiday pay accrual and access to a pension scheme. The"competitive" pay rate is determined by your experience, the specific shift, and any relevant qualifications. It is always discussed transparently before you accept any assignment. For a broader look at pay and contracts, see our resource on temporary vs permanent work.
The SR5 postcode covers a specific area of Sunderland, but we welcome applications from surrounding areas such as Washington, South Shields, and even parts of Durham if you have reliable transport. The venue is well-served by public transport links.
When discussing the role, please be upfront about your location and travel time with your consultant. We also advertise roles in other locations; for example, we frequently recruit for urgent van driver jobs in London NW1 and warehouse jobs nationally, so if travel is a constraint, we can explore other opportunities closer to you.
Your Next Career Move Starts Here in Sunderland
Stop searching and start earning. This immediate-start Restaurant Assistant role is your gateway to a dynamic career in the UK's vibrant hospitality sector, supported by a local agency that cares about your progression.
If you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected]
Catering Jobs
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