Casual Hospitality Assistant (Catering) - The Hexagon

Do you have a passion for food, great customer service and have a flair for hospitality? We’re looking for fresh faces to join our friendly team at The Hexagon and help create memorable experiences for our audiences. As a Casual Hospitality Assistant working in our new kitchen, you’ll be preparing and serving a range of food, drinks, and snacks with speed and a smile. Whether it’s preparing food, maintaining kitchen standards or serving customers before the curtain rises, you’ll play a vital role in keeping our busy venue running smoothly.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role:
The Hexagon Theatre hosts busy events that attract a diverse range of audience members who enjoy excellent customer service, as well as freshly prepared, homemade food, and great quality drinks- all delivered by a team of dedicated and enthusiastic individuals.

We are looking to add a few new members to our friendly and supportive team and would welcome anyone from a hospitality or catering background, with a passion for theatre, or hosting audiences at live events.

To find out more about The Hexagon please visit: https://whatsonreading.com

As a member of the Hospitality Team, you will:

• Prepare and serve food and drinks orders from our new kitchen
• Prepare and serve food and drinks orders from one of our many food and beverage outlets, as well as facilitate the delivery of online orders to customers
• Be comfortable and confident working in a fast paced and highly dynamic environment that serves and sells alcohol
• Maintain hospitality areas; keeping them clean, tidy and compliant with food safety standards
• Handling cash and taking card payments using our touchscreen till system (full training provided) and process orders placed online

What we’re looking for:

• Experience in catering work with an understanding of food safety.
• A friendly, confident approach when dealing with the public.
• The ability to work quickly under pressure in a busy environment.
• Flexibility to work days, evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays.
• Minimum age 18 to be able to operate equipment.

This job requires an understanding of the principles of food safety and good hygiene, an awareness of licensing law, and involves cash and manual handling as well as providing high standards of customer service. A minimum of one year’s experience in a food and beverage-led environment is preferred.

About you:
You must have a background in catering and be confident at handling and cooking food, as well as being available to take up the position immediately and commit to working evenings and weekends as and when the theatre programme requires.

A rota system offers shifts when there are events, and you must tell us in advance of any shifts you would not be available for. Most shifts will commence at around 4.00pm and last approximately 5-6 hours. On weekends there can be matinee performances that start earlier. Some weekend work is required but you will not be expected to work them all.

If you are looking for a social role within an enjoyable and hardworking team, have an eye for detail and the confidence to match this could be the job for you!

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact recruitment@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 14th September 2025 (Applications reviewed upon submission)
Interview Dates: To be confirmed
Interview Process: 30 minute interview at The Hexagon Theatre

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.