Hospitality and Catering

Visitor Services Assistant – Food & Beverage

JOB PURPOSE

Do you have a passion for food and are dedicated to high levels of customer service?

Visiting our Café is an essential part of the visitor experience for those coming to Newhailes House and Gardens the role of the Visitor Service Assistant – Food & Beverage is to make it a positive and memorable part of a visitor’s day with us. Our café is a busy operation, and the ideal candidate should be experienced in a high volume, fast-paced environment. Barista experience would be beneficial for this role however training will be given.

Core hours will be the minimum hours available, with the opportunity to work additional hours to suit the needs of the business. Must have full weekend availability, hours will be issued on a rota basis.
We pride ourselves on creating a team work ethic here at Newhailes House so you may be required for additional support with other areas of the property such as Admissions, Retail, and Events activities to meet the business needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

 To always provide a consistently high standard of visitor care.
 Welcoming all visitors to the site and processing their catering purchases in a friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable manner; supporting visitors with special needs / impairments and providing a high level of service in accordance with the Equality Act.
 Answering visitors’ queries about the catering offer, deals, seating, and allergens.
 Checking on how visitors are enjoying their experience of catering and enquiring whether all their needs are met.
 Opening and closing procedures
 To always maintain excellent standards of site and personal presentation.
 The general ongoing operational cleaning of all areas as necessary.
 Wearing correct uniform, name badges, or PPE as required.

Customer Service

 Regular interaction with members of the public of all ages and abilities.

Teamwork

 Regular interaction with employee and volunteer colleagues to share daily tasks and support a smooth visitor operation.

Sales, stock and financial processes

 Help achieve sales targets and membership recruitment targets
 Operate tills and share end-of-day cash reconciliation duties, as appointed by Visitor Services Supervisor
 Regularly assist in ordering all necessary food and dry goods

Tools/equipment and cleaning chemicals

 Occasional user of cleaning chemicals.
 EPOS tills and chip and pin machines.
 Fully equipped commercial catering kitchens.
 Expected to become familiar with and comply with the property’s Health and Safety policies or Safe Systems of Work’.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

 Barista experience required
 Ability to work within a team or independently, with minimal supervision, to a high and safe standard.
 Demonstrate experience in F&B service environment
 Ability to be flexible and adapt working patterns and tasks to meet day-to-day variations in property needs. This will include evenings to support events.
 Ability to adjust pace to match customer flow without compromising quality of service.
 Excellent front of house persona – warm, welcoming, patient and understanding.
 Excellent selling skills.
 Genuine belief in the value of good customer service.
 Ability to be proactive and to take the initiative.
 Demonstrable experience in sales with experience of EPOS systems and cash handling/reconciliation.

Desirable:

 Basic Food Hygiene Qualification.

The current duties of this job do not require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be carried out.

Kitchen Assistant

JOB PURPOSE
Do you have a passion for food and dedicated to high levels of customer service?
Visiting our Café is an essential part of the visitor experience for those coming to Newhailes House and Gardens the role of the Visitor Service Assistant – Kitchen Assistant is to make it a positive and memorable part of a visitor’s day with us. Our café is a busy operation, and the ideal candidate should be experienced in a high volume, fast paced environment.
You will assist the Head Chef in the day to day management of the kitchen to ensure that all targets are met and that all visitors receive the highest level of visitor experience standards.
You must have full weekend availability, hours will be issued on a rota basis.
We pride ourselves on creating a team work ethic here at Newhailes House so you may be required for additional support with other areas such as serving in the cafe.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
 Contribute to food production as per the menu cycle/specification.
 Keeping up to date HACCP, COSHH checklists and temperature sheets.
 Ensure high standards of kitchen hygiene, cleanliness, tidiness and related schedules.
 Use fresh produce and ingredients whenever and where-ever is possible and minimise wastage.
 Maintain a high standard of food presentation to the customer.
 Share in the common responsibility of implementing the Trust’s “Health & Safety Policy”, being mindful at all times of the health and safety of self, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
 Share in the common responsibility of working in a manner mindful of the Trust’s obligations to minimise impact on the environment, through e.g. efficient use of water/heat/light, recycling and the disposal of waste, considered use of transport.
 Help to reduce occurrences where Health or Safety of yourself and other employees may be put in jeopardy.
 Adherence to the COSHH Training provided and control of substances covered by COSHH.
 Involvement in the upkeep and maintenance of both the kitchen and café areas.
 Assist with daily cleaning and pot wash duties.

SCOPE OF ROLE
Location
The post holder will be based at Newhailes but may also be expected to work in other Edinburgh cluster properties and at special events/functions when required.
People Management
The post holder does not direct line manage any team.
Financial Management
Not a budget holder but responsible for the day- to -day management of stock
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
Essential
 Experience working in a similar, quick service, environment and delivering the best visitor service.
 Practical experience of food preparation and service.
 Previous experience working in a team.
 Ability to follow instruction and work independently off own initiative.
 Skill in establishing priorities and managing workload.
 Keen interest in food.
Desirable
 Awareness of what the National Trust for Scotland sets out to achieve.
 High standard of presentation and service (experience an advantage).
 Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate.

Visitor Services Supervisor – Food & Beverage

JOB PURPOSE

To provide operational delivery of the visitor experience and supervision in the Food & Beverage department at the Stables Café, Dairy and on-site Events in line with the Trust’s policies. Delivering Performance standards and targets to ensure enjoyment of the property by visitors and members is maximised and key commercial, financial and development objectives are achieved to make the property fully sustainable.
The Visitor Services Supervisor at a Trust property plays a pivotal role ensuring that the management objectives are achieved through excellent customer service and with delegated responsibility for catering duty management is very often the face of the Trust to visitors. As such directly influences public perceptions of the Trust and is significant to developing and maintaining the property’s reputation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Supervising/undertaking the day-to-day operation of the property and environs to ensure an excellent customer/visitor experience. This includes supervision of:
Catering Operation
 Lead with menu development and the preparation and presentation of a high-quality food and drink offer.
 Ensure compliance with health and safety, food hygiene, food allergen, licensing and environmental health standards, completing all related record-keeping.
 Assist with food led events throughout the year to support over all business goals.
Visitor Experience
 Offer excellent customer service and ensure all members of the team do the same.
 Support property-wide targets for completion of visitor surveys to understand more about our visitors.
 Act as one of our duty manager team, responsible for ensuring a safe and smooth visitor operation, opening/closing the visitor, addressing issues and emergency procedure and providing relief cover, as required.
Line Management of Visitor Services Assistants
 Duty management responsibility including open and close of all on site facilities.
 Ensure the property social media is managed to generate interest and help drive visitor engagement.
 Support the informal learning and community engagement / outreach activity.
 Security of the Property.
 Ensuring the completion of cash/till reconciliation.
 Week-end reports and reconciliation.
 Completion of banking and cash handling processes.
 Health & Safety procedures, emergency procedures, and environmental procedures.
 Deputising for the Visitor Services Manager / Operations Manager on-site and off-site as required.
 Recruitment; induction; development; and management of all visitor services employees. Ensuring that they understand role responsibilities and are equipped to fulfill the role to the standards required.
 Ensure the team feel valued, respected, motivated and supported.
 Supervising the activities of a team of permanent and seasonal Visitor Service Assistants (VSAs), achieving excellent staff performance and motivation through induction, training, task-setting and coaching on front and back if house.

Working closely with other managers across the Property to deliver a programme of visitor events, which increase visitor numbers, drive secondary spend and support overall Property targets;

Instil a Health & Safety culture across the property, ensuring the team work within the property’s ‘Safe System of Work’ to reduce risk of incidents and accidents to volunteers, employees and visitors.

Breakfast Cook

Hours: 7am – 10am
Seasonal Contract: Immediate start – 31st October 2026
Rate of pay: Dependent on Experience

With the launch of an exciting new menu at Blair Castle where everything is made in house we have a vacancy available for a Breakfast Cook.

MAIN DUTIES:
Duties to include the cooking of breakfast rolls and serving hot drinks in the satellite catering unit in the Caravan Park at Blair Castle.

BENEFITS:

– Competitive hourly wage and company pension scheme.
– Training and development opportunities.
– Supportive and friendly work environment.
– Discount at the restaurant, gift shop and The Larder.
– Free entry to Blair Castle for you plus four guests.

If you are passionate about food service and enjoy working in a dynamic environment, we would love to hear from you! Apply today to become part of our catering team.

To apply, please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter to Alec: alecc@atholl-estates.co.uk

Catering Assistants & Kitchen Porter

Hours: Part-time and full-time available
Seasonal Contract: Immediate start – 31st October 2026
Rate of pay: £13.45 per hour (in line with National Living Wage)

Accommodation available

With the launch of an exciting new menu at Blair Castle where everything is made in house we have vacancies available for Front of House Catering Assistants and Kitchen Porter Roles.

MAIN DUTIES:

Kitchen Porter:
Duties will include pot washing, putting deliveries away restocking the satellite catering units at the Caravan Park and in the Castle Grounds and maintaining a clean workspace.

Front of House Catering Assistants:
Duties to include assisting and serving customers, barista coffee making and special event catering.

BENEFITS:

– Competitive hourly wage and company pension scheme.
– Training and development opportunities.
– Supportive and friendly work environment.
– Accommodation available.
– Discount at the restaurant, gift shop and The Larder.
– Free entry to Blair Castle for you plus four guests.

If you are passionate about food service and enjoy working in a dynamic environment, we would love to hear from you! Apply today to become part of our catering team.

To apply, please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter to Alec: alecc@atholl-estates.co.uk

Cook/Baker

Hours: Part-time or full-time available
Seasonal Contract: Immediate start – 31st October 2026
Rate of pay: Dependent on Experience

Accommodation available

With the launch of an exciting new menu at Blair Castle where everything is made in house we have a vacancy available for a Cook/Baker.
MAIN DUTIES:

We are looking for someone who enjoys baking and home style cooking to work in the Castle Kitchen alongside 2 other chefs.

BENEFITS:

– Competitive wage and company pension scheme.
– Training and development opportunities.
– Supportive and friendly work environment.
– Accommodation available.
– Discount at the restaurant, gift shop and The Larder.
– Free entry to Blair Castle for you plus four guests.

If you are passionate about food service and enjoy working in a dynamic environment, we would love to hear from you! Apply today to become part of our catering team.

To apply, please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter to Alec: alecc@atholl-estates.co.uk

Sous Chef

Be part of something special at the Calanais Visitor Centre as we prepare for an exciting new chapter. We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Sous Chef to support the development of our catering offer within a unique, world-class visitor attraction. Working with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality food that enhances the overall visitor experience.
In this role, you’ll support menu planning and development, assist with the day-to-day running of the kitchen, and help maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, and hygiene. You will also contribute to developing a varied catering offer, from café service to functions and special events, while supporting and mentoring junior team members.
This is a full-time role, averaging 37.5 hours per week across the year, with flexibility required including evenings, early mornings and weekends. Salary is £30,000–£35,000 per annum, depending on experience.
For full job description and to apply visit: https://careers.calanais.org/roles
Closing date: 4th May

Commis Chef

Be part of the team behind the future of the Calanais Visitor Centre. We’re looking for a passionate and creative Commis Chef who is eager to develop their skills and grow their talent in a fast-paced, supportive kitchen environment. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from experienced chefs while contributing to a high-quality food offering in a unique setting.
You’ll assist with food preparation for a varied café menu, support daily kitchen operations, and help deliver freshly prepared dishes using local and seasonal ingredients. The role offers hands-on experience across all aspects of kitchen work, including baking, stock handling, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food safety, while building your confidence and technical skills.
This is a part-time seasonal role, with a minimum of 15 hours per week and flexible working required, including weekends and occasional early mornings or evenings. The hourly rate is £13.45.
For full job description and to apply visit: https://careers.calanais.org/roles
Closing date: 4th May

Kitchen Porter

Play a key role in supporting the kitchen team at the Calanais Visitor Centre. We’re looking for a hardworking and reliable Kitchen Porter who takes pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene, helping ensure the kitchen operates smoothly and efficiently during busy service periods.
You’ll be responsible for keeping all kitchen areas clean and organised, operating dishwashing equipment, and ensuring that all utensils, crockery, and kitchen equipment are cleaned and stored correctly. You will also support the wider team with deliveries, waste management, and general kitchen duties, contributing to a safe and well-run working environment.
This is a part-time seasonal role, working 22.5 hours per week, with flexibility required including weekends and occasional early mornings or evenings. The hourly rate is £13.45.
For full job description and to apply visit: https://careers.calanais.org/roles
Closing date: 4th May

Cook

Purpose of the role

To assist in the day-to-day management of the Food & Beverage offer at Leith Hall, Garden and Estate, to ensure that all targets are met, and all visitors receive the highest level of visitor experience standards.

Key Responsibilities
• Assist with the development of the Menu Cycle/Specification
• Contribute to food production as per the Menu Cycle/Specification and event Food Production (corporate, hospitality, meetings etc.)
• Keeping up to date HACCP, COSHH checklists and temperature sheets as well as allergen measures/controls
• Ensure high Standards of Kitchen hygiene, cleanliness, tidiness, and related schedules
• Use fresh produce and ingredients whenever and wherever is possible and minimise wastage.
• Maintain a high standard of food presentation to the customer
• Share in the common responsibility of implementing the Trust’s “Health & Safety Policy”, being mindful at all times of the health and safety of self, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Share in the common responsibility of working in a manner mindful of the Trust’s obligations to minimise impact on the environment, through e.g., efficient use of water/heat/light, recycling and the disposal of waste, considered use of transport
• Help to reduce occurrences where Health or Safety of yourself and other employees may be put in jeopardy
• Adherence to the COSHH Training provided and control of substances covered by COSHH
• Involvement in the upkeep and maintenance of both the entire department site and, specifically, the Catering Outlets
• Involvement in assessing and preserving the safety of utensils and equipment used within the Catering Outlets.

Visitor Services Assistant – Catering

JOB PURPOSE
As a member of our Visitor Services team your job is to give visitors from across the globe a big Fyvie welcome and help generate the income that enables us to care for the Castle and its Surroundings.

Visiting The Butlers Pantry is an essential part of the visitor experience and the role of the Visitor Service Assistant – Catering is to make it a positive and memorable part of a visitor’s day with us.
You’ll help us maximise sales through excellent customer service and product knowledge, taking pride in presentation and effective behind-the-scenes processes.

Our Tearoom is a high footfall operation, and the ideal candidate should be experienced in a high volume, fast-paced environment. Barista and baking experience would be beneficial for this role however training will be given.

Core hours will be the minimum hours available, with the opportunity to work additional hours to suit the needs of the business. Must have weekend availability, hours will be issued on a rota basis.

We pride ourselves on creating a positive team work ethic here at Fyvie so you may be required for additional support with other areas of the property such as Admissions, Retail, and Events activities to meet the business needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

 To provide a consistently high standard of visitor care at all times
 Welcoming all visitors to the site and processing their catering purchase in a friendly, efficient and knowledgeable manner.
 Assist in food preparation and stock management.
 Answering visitors’ queries about the catering offer, deals, seating, and ingredients.
 Checking on how visitors are enjoying their experience of catering enquiring whether all their needs are met.
 Promoting the National Trust for Scotland and the benefits of membership of it.
 To maintain excellent standards of site and personal presentation at all times
 The general ongoing operational cleaning of all areas as necessary
 Wearing correct uniform, name badges, or PPE as required.
 Support day to day catering operation including the preparation and cooking of soups, baked goods and any other items

Visitor Services Assistant – Catering

JOB PURPOSE
To maximise our visitors’ enjoyment of National Trust for Scotland managed sites by maintaining excellent standards of service, optimising opportunities to generate income and ensuring that the site and its assets are safe and secure.
This role is primarily a catering role however the VSA role also covers admissions, membership & retail. This role is on a rota basis and the expectation of the core hours will be a Saturday/Sunday.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
To provide a consistently high standard of visitor care at all times
• Welcoming visitors to the site and processing their admission/retail or catering purchase in a friendly, efficient and knowledgeable manner;
• Welcoming visitors with special needs / impairments and providing a high level of service in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act;
• Welcoming International visitors and aiding with specific needs.
• Welcoming groups in an efficient and warm manner
• Answering visitors’ queries about the site, education facilities and the local area;
• Providing information about the site, its history, contents, offers and merchandise;
• Promoting National Trust for Scotland brand to include our Membership scheme, events, upselling other properties and any promotional campaigns, being proactive in the selling of Membership and Gift Aid.

To maintain excellent standards of site and personal presentation at all times
• The general ongoing operational cleaning of all areas as necessary, toilet cleaning, emptying waste bins and as appropriate vacuum cleaning, mopping, sweeping, dusting and polishing when required;
• Ensuring site is ready to open and welcome visitors by the set opening time;
• Wearing correct uniform, name badges, or PPE as required.
• Reporting all instances of damage and wear and tear issues promptly to your line manager;
• Working in harmony with other departments; housekeeping, gardening, grounds maintenance and site repair employees/contractors.

Financial Responsibilities (where applicable)
• To adhere to all financial procedures to include till operation and banking and safeguarding of monies: to implement amendments to standard procedure as instructions may dictate.

Retail/Catering/Events/Cashier duties (where applicable)
• To ensure good housekeeping of catering kitchens, serveries and back of house areas.
• To assist in achieving site retail/catering/events targets and KPI’s.
• To actively upsell products and services to facilitate the visitor’s enjoyment.
• To actively feedback visitor comments to line managers to develop and improve offer, service, operations.
• To work flexibly across departments and sites as needed.
• To assist with the set-up, stewarding and break-down of events in liaison with the events coordinator.

Health and Safety
• To ensure site meets with Health and Safety legislation in liaison with your department manager.
• To ensure that visitors vacate the site at close of business and that the site is secured at end of day.
• To use personal protection equipment as provided and directed by your line manager

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
Qualifications
• No formal educational qualification required.

Skills, Experience & Knowledge
Essential
• Demonstrable experience in a customer-facing retail-based role, delivering impeccable customer care through excellent inter-personal skills.
• Demonstrable experience in a catering based role, delivering impeccable customer care and food safety standards.
• Demonstrable experience in sales or ticket/event/admissions – ideally in a heritage/tourism context – with experience and confidence undertaking till-work and cash handling/reconciliation.
• Experience in EPOS style till operation.
• Excellent cash handling skills.
• Excellent “front of house” persona – warm, welcoming, patient, understanding.
• Excellent selling skills – adaptable to customer type and product.
• Demonstrable excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise.
• Flexible, helpful outlook to customers and colleagues.
• Living the values of the National Trust for Scotland and encourage colleagues to do the same
o The ability and willingness to understand others’ perspectives and to consider the impact of your actions on them and to adapt your actions as necessary.
o The ability and willingness to learn and try new things, to be flexible and step outside of your comfort zone.
o An open and honest way of communicating, ready to ask others for their ideas and to be open to hear and consider different points of view.
o A pro-active approach to taking initiative and to driving forward ideas and projects designed to improve daily operations and deliver an exceptional visitor experience.

Desirable
• Experience in storytelling and a passion for Scottish heritage and history
• An understanding and commitment to the aims and objectives of the National Trust for Scotland.

Footer

Looking to work in the attractions industry or for a new challenge within the sector?

Sign up to our job alerts e-mail for up to date job info from ASVA members.

Contact ASVA

Copyright © 2025 ASVA. ASVA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Scotland No: SC153812