Jobs in the hospitality industry: is a pub job for you?

Pubs and restaurants are made up of a host of skilled teams, from waiters and waitresses, bar team members and general managers to kitchen team members serving up delicious dishes. 

To help you answer any burning questions about life in a pub, and decide which pub job is right for you, we’ve put together the different ingredients for success you’ll need for some popular roles:

What does a Kitchen Assistant do?

Whether you find yourself working in a trendy city bar like All Bar One or a well-loved Toby Carvery, your day-to-day tasks in a lively kitchen will keep you on your toes. 

A typical day as a kitchen assistant may involve:

• Food prep
• Keeping serving areas clean and safe
• Taking deliveries
• Organising the stock room

In this support role, you’ll pick up tips and tricks from chefs who’ve been in the business most of their lives so it’s a great stepping stone to work your way up to more senior restaurant jobs. With little culinary experience needed, a kitchen assistant job is a great chance to learn the ropes and feed off the atmosphere behind the scenes of a restaurant.

If you’re a good team player, can listen and follow instructions carefully and have a passion for food then a kitchen assistant job could be just right for you.

What does a Chef do?

As a pub chef you play the role of mealtime maestro:

• Prepping like pros before bustling mealtimes
• Whipping up dishes that'll make your taste buds dance
• Knowing our menu inside out

But wait, there's more! With the support of your team, you’ll also be a cleanliness and safety champ, maintaining the gold standard in hygiene.

From sizzling steaks to golden-brown fish and chips, a pub chef crafts comfort food with a gourmet twist. More than a cook; chefs are supreme kitchen multitaskers and plate artists. 

They're the magic behind that perfectly seared burger, and the secret to those crispy onion rings.

What are Head Chef responsibilities?

With some years of experience under your belt, where you’ve proven that you not only know your way around the kitchen but shown have strong leadership skills, you’re ready to climb to the next spot on the chef’s career ladder. 

Most chefs learn on the job, so formal qualifications aren’t always needed to show you can stand the heat in the kitchen, but they do strengthen expertise and can help you climb the ranks faster. 

The main responsibilities of a head chef job are to:

• Oversee the daily operations of the kitchen
• Lead your team to thrive in any situation
• Hone excellent culinary skills
• Maintain a good knowledge of produce
• Show leadership, delegation skills and top-notch time management

What do Waiting team members do?

As a waiting team member, it’s ultimately your job to keep guests happy, but there’s a lot more to it than that. In this customer service role you’ll pick up crystal clear communication skills and learn how to handle any crisis like a pro. These are just a few of the 5 transferrable skills from working in hospitality, all through:

• Greeting and looking after guests so they go home happy
• Serving up delicious food and refreshing drinks
• Maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and safety
• Working with your team to create a friendly atmosphere that guests will love

If you love going the extra mile for guests, thrive in a fast-paced environment or want to build your self-confidence then a waiting job could be a great career move for you. 

What do Bar Staff do?

If you’re passionate about customer service and building relationships then you might love working in our bar team. The different people who walk through the door each day are a chance for you to really mix things up.

A bar job can be challenging at times but it’s one of the most fun and lively jobs to develop your resilience and organisation skills. You’ll get to:

• Shake up the perfect experience, greet and serve guests – have fun making moments to remember! 
• Remember orders, keep tabs on who’s next and make sure the bar is stocked up
• Think of yourself as a drink alchemist, concocting happiness in every glass you pour. From classic pints to cocktail favourites
• Be a guardian of the highest cleanliness and safety standards, maintaining an environment where guests can relax, have a blast, and know they're in good hands

As part of our bar crew, you'll be turning ordinary evenings into unforgettable memories!

Hear from some of M&B’s very own employees what’s the best thing about being part of a bar team.

How to be a good General Manager?

Climbing the career ladder gives a deep insight into the workings of a restaurant, and while everyone’s journey is unique, there are some things you can expect when you become a pub manager.

On the surface, a general manager’s role is to bring the team together while ensuring quality control and guest satisfaction. Behind the scenes, you’ll be responsible for:

• Recruiting new team members and overseeing their training
• Organising deliveries
• Being aware of new and changing regulations
• Budget control
• Keeping your team safe by enforcing high health and safety standards

You’re in charge of keeping team morale high but it’s also your duty to watch over everyone’s safety, which can bring a great sense of pride and satisfaction.

Discover rewarding careers in hospitality

At Mitchells & Butlers, a restaurant job is more than just a job – it’s a career. 

It’s our goal to find talented and enthusiastic people who want to grow with our brand and share in our values. Whichever pub and restaurant job you choose we’ll make sure you feel a valued member of the team and get recognised for what you do.

Find out more about the rewarding careers we can offer you at Mitchells and Butlers by browsing our bar and waiting jobs, general manager roles, or positions in the kitchen.