Smiling bar staff pouring a pint, working in hospitality

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

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

Jess Birch our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 10/08/2020


'Food and Beverage' is the largest of the four sectors in the UK hospitality industry. That’s everything from that sizzling steak you order at Miller and Carter to the refreshing drink you enjoy at a cosy Vintage Inn pub.

And guess what? Hospitality is the third largest employer in the UK, with a whopping 3.5 million of us working our magic in this buzzing industry. Talk about a workforce that knows how to serve up some serious smiles!

Not only do we have a thriving industry to be proud of, hospitality industry jobs in pubs and restaurants offer ultimate flexibility with abundant opportunities for part timers and full time workers. 

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.

List #1

Some articles you might like

Christian from Stonehouse
Can you go from Chef to General Manager? Yes, you can!

Teaser

Management

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/06/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers, we pride ourselves on the growth and development opportunities we provide to our employees.  We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Christian, General Manager of th

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

girl holding a tray of food standing in front of a restaurant
Five reasons to choose a Christmas job at M&B

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/01/2024

Summary

Christmas is coming, and we can hear Santa's bells fast approaching. That's right, it's almost time to dust off the Christmas jumper and get the decorations out of the box. If you're not excited j

Teaser

Find out more
Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

live in job - two people smiling at the pub
5 unmissable perks of our live-in jobs you need to know!

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/14/2024

Summary

A live-in job, you say? Right, well, before we go any further, let’s break down the basics: What is a live-in job? Simply put, it’s a job that includes live-in accommodation as part of the benefi

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

smiling lady on laptop sitting at pub
The dos and don'ts when writing your hospitality CV

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/07/2024

Summary

So, the job search is on. Many people dread the process and see it as a race to the finish line where they’ll receive the prize of a job. While that should be your ultimate goal, there’s no sens

Teaser

CV writing a chance to figure out your core skills, which pub and restaurant job is right for you and which type of company you want to work at.

Find out more
Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

What can you expect from a Christmas job at M&B?

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/02/2024

Summary

Mulled wine and pigs in blankets season is upon us, and we're ramping up for a busy time of year. Our hospitality teams work hard all year round, but in December they make experiences extra special

Teaser

Find out more
Amandeep Chahal

by

Amandeep Chahal

Amandeep Chahal

by

Amandeep Chahal

susan and chris with their family at bassets pole, harvester
Celebrating 25 years of dedication: Susan & Chris at Bassetts Pole, Harvester

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

09/30/2024

Summary

In a world where career longevity is becoming a rare feat, Susan and Chris celebrate a remarkable milestone: 25 years as General Managers at Bassetts Pole, Harvester.  Susan and Chris first joine

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

electric kitchen at m&b with three chefs smiling
Embracing the Future: Electric Kitchens at M&B

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/28/2024

Summary

At M&B, we're on a bold sustainability mission with an ambitious goal: reaching Net Zero by 2040. Our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is driving innovative changes across our oper

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

chater siblings at m&b
Celebrating National Sisters Day: Stories of sibling bonding at M&B

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/05/2024

Summary

What is National Sister Day? National Sisters Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate that special bond with your sister, whether she's your best friend, your biggest rival, or a bit of both!  Thi

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

ben shaking hands with a man at the pub
Discover Ben's journey: Why a Bar and Waiting Apprenticeship might be your perfect fit

Teaser

Apprenticeship

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/16/2024

Summary

Ben Bishop joined the Vintage Inns team as a Bar and Waiting Apprentice, gaining himself a Hospitality Team Member Level 2.  Wondering what exactly is a Bar and Waiting Apprenticeship? As the frie

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

team leader smiling at customers in pub
5 reasons you’ll love a Team Leader job in M&B kitchens

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/11/2024

Summary

What is a Team Leader job? Are you a natural-born leader with a passion for food? Then we’ve got a place for you as one of our Kitchen Team Leaders at Mitchells and Butlers.  As a Team Leader in

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Assistant Manager - Live in

Salary

Competitive Salary plus live in accommodation

Location

Botanist on the Green, Richmond, TW9 3AA

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Castle

Location

Richmond

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As Assistant Manag

Reference

2326047

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Assistant Manager - Live in

Salary

Competitive Salary plus live in accommodation

Location

Botanist on the Green, Richmond, TW9 3AA

Departments

Assistant Manager

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Castle

Location

Richmond

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As Assistant Manag

Reference

2326038

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Christmas Waiting Staff

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Botanist on the Green, Richmond, TW9 3AA

Departments

Waiting Staff

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Castle

Location

Richmond

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you!  Unwrap your perf

Reference

2326034

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
 

job search