Seasonal Food & Beverage Host OPS/F&B/S26

Location

Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7EU

Salary

Minimum wage

Application Deadline

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Job Summary

Paignton Zoo, originally opened in 1923 as the Torbay Zoological Gardens, has evolved over the past century into one of the South West’s leading conservation organisations and most popular visitor attractions. Today, it is home to more than 230 animal species. This rich biodiversity and ongoing commitment to wildlife and habitat preservation make Paignton Zoo a vital hub for education, conservation, and inspiration.

Serve Up Smiles This Season!

Love great food, buzzing environments, and making people’s day? Step into the action as a Seasonal Food & Beverage Host and help us serve up fantastic experiences alongside delicious food and drink.

From crafting the perfect baguette to serving hungry visitors with a smile, you’ll be right at the heart of the action—keeping things running smoothly and creating a welcoming, feel-good atmosphere. If you enjoy fast-paced work, being part of a team, and making a real impact on someone’s day, this is the role for you!

The Role

You’ll support daily catering operations, serve visitors, prepare food and maintain excellent hygiene and safety standards. You’ll help keep the café and service areas clean, stocked and welcoming, ensuring our guests have a positive experience.

Salary: National Minimum Wage

Contract: Seasonal

Length of Contract: to either end of August 2026 or end September 2026 (both are available)

As a Food & Beverage Host, you’ll bring energy, teamwork, and top-notch service to our catering outlets. You’ll:

• Deliver friendly, efficient service and create a warm welcome for every guest
• Prepare and serve food and drinks to high quality and presentation standards
• Keep displays well-stocked, fresh, and looking great
• Support food preparation while maintaining consistency and hygiene standards
• Help keep all areas clean, tidy, and guest-ready
• Operate tills and handle payments accurately
• Manage stock, take deliveries, and minimise waste
• Follow food hygiene, allergen, and safety procedures at all times
• Work flexibly across different catering areas as needed

You’ll play a big part in creating memorable visitor experiences through great service and high-quality food.

About You

We’re looking for enthusiastic, customer-focused people who bring energy and positivity to every shift:

You’ll bring:

• Experience in a customer-facing role (hospitality, retail, or similar)
• Great communication skills and a friendly, approachable style
• Confidence handling tills or cash (or willingness to learn!)
• Ability to stay calm and deliver great service during busy periods
• A strong team spirit and willingness to help others
• Attention to detail and pride in maintaining high standards
• A willingness to learn food safety (Level 2 Food Hygiene)

Bonus points if you have:

• Previous café, restaurant, or catering experience
• Food preparation or kitchen experience
• Knowledge of allergens and food safety practices

You are:

• A true “people person” who loves making others smile
• Energetic, adaptable, and ready to get stuck in
• Reliable and hardworking
• A team player who brings positive vibes
• Calm under pressure and ready for busy service times
• Passionate about great food and great service

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, serve up smiles, and be part of an energetic team, we’d love to hear from you!

At Paignton Zoo, we believe taking care of our team is just as important as caring for our animals. That’s why we offer a benefits package that’s packed with perks: enjoy 33 days of paid holiday pro-rata, free branded uniform to keep you looking sharp, and access to top-tier training—from First Aid to driving a tractor. Your family can join the adventure too, with free zoo entry for loved ones, plus sweet discounts on food and retail while you’re on site. We’ll make parking a breeze with free staff spaces and support your wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme.

We proudly champion equality of opportunity for all our team members. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, including but not limited to age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage or civil partnerships. Inclusion isn't just a policy—it’s part of our culture. Everyone deserves the chance to thrive here.

We’ll be reviewing applications and inviting candidates to interview throughout the advertising period—so don’t wait! If this opportunity speaks to you, send your application in as soon as possible. The role may be filled before the closing date

Job Profile

Job Profile document