Working at M&B this Christmas: What our team loves most

Christmas in hospitality is a bit different. While everyone else is settling in for a festive film or arguing over the last roast potato, teams across M&B are getting pubs, restaurants and bars ready for their own busy season.

There are tables to turn, orders to serve, festive favourites to bring out and plenty of guests looking forward to a good time. It’s busy, it can be unpredictable, and there’s usually someone asking where the pigs in blankets are.

But ask our team what they love about working at M&B at Christmas, and it’s about much more than the festive menu.

From the buzz of a packed pub to the laughs shared behind the scenes, here are five things that make the season special, and why a Christmas job in hospitality could be right up your street.

1. That moment when the whole pub comes alive

There’s a particular feeling when a shift gets going, and the place starts filling up. Families arrive for their Christmas meal, friends catch up over a few drinks, and colleagues meet for their festive get-together. Suddenly, the pub or restaurant has a proper buzz about it.

For our teams, being part of that atmosphere is a big part of the appeal. You’re not just serving food and drinks; you’re helping people make time for each other during one of the busiest, happiest parts of the year.

And no two shifts are quite the same. One minute you might be welcoming a table celebrating a special occasion; the next, you’re helping a guest choose their favourite festive dish.

The best bit? You get to be part of the celebrations, even when you’re the one making them happen. 

2. The Christmas rush that brings everyone together

A busy Christmas service takes a team. The kitchen is getting dishes ready, the bar is keeping drinks flowing, and front-of-house colleagues are making sure guests know they’re in good hands.

There’s plenty to keep everyone on their toes, but that’s also what makes a great shift feel so rewarding. You learn to communicate quickly, help each other out and work out what needs doing next without having to make a big thing of it.

Maybe someone jumps in to help with a table, a colleague spots that you’ve got your hands full, or the kitchen pulls together to get a big festive order out. Those little moments make a difference.

The best bit? You’re never doing it all on your own. And somewhere between the Christmas rushes, quick catch-ups and post-shift laughs, you might just make a few mates who turn into friends long after the decorations come down.

3. Festive food, familiar favourites and a few cheeky extras

Let’s be honest: food is a big part of Christmas. And at M&B, the festive season brings plenty of reasons for guests to gather around the table.

From a traditional Christmas dinner to seasonal dishes and those all-important extras, our brands offer different ways to celebrate. Whether it’s guests tucking into a Christmas Day dinner at Toby Carvery, gathering with family at Harvester, enjoying a festive get-together at a Vintage Inns pub or marking a special occasion at Miller & Carter, there’s a lot going on behind every plate that reaches the table.

For kitchen teams, it’s a chance to put their skills into practice when timing, teamwork and attention to detail really matter. For bar and waiting teams, it’s about helping guests enjoy the occasion, answering questions and making sure the little things don’t get missed.

And while guests are debating whether they’ve got room for dessert, the team is already thinking about the next table.

The best bit? You help turn a meal into a Christmas tradition, and that’s something guests remember. 

4. That Christmas job could be the start of something bigger

You might join us for a Christmas job, but who says it has to end when the decorations come down? Hospitality offers plenty of opportunities to try something new, build on what you’re good at, and see where your experience takes you.

Maybe you start out as a team member on the bar or waiting tables, discover you love the buzz of a busy service and decide to take on more responsibility. 

You could work towards a team leader role, move into management or even explore a different side of the business, like the kitchen. There are plenty of ways to grow, and you don't have to have your whole career mapped out from day one.

The best bit? Your first shift could be the start of a career you hadn't even considered. 

Could a Christmas job at M&B be your kind of thing?

You don't have to be a hospitality expert to get started. If you enjoy meeting people, working as part of a team and getting stuck into something new, a festive role could be a great way to give hospitality a go. 

Fancy being part of the Christmas magic this year? Explore Christmas jobs at M&B and find a role where you can get stuck in, meet your people and help make the festive season special.