Waiter/Waitress

Waiter/ss - The Garden Cafe

Up to £12.48 per hour plus tronc and fantastic benefits

Daytime Hours. Contracts available:

40 over 5 days, 32 over 4, 30 over 4, 16 over 2 (weekends) or 8 over 1 (weekend). All roles require regular weekend working

Due to the location of the Estate, a driving license is recommended for this role

Advert closes: 9th March 2026

🔗Take a look at our website

🔗Read the full job description here

Serve smiles, stories, and Somerset flavours—where every plate celebrates the garden

Our Waiter/ss - The Garden Cafe

You’ll be the welcoming face of our busy, produce-led restaurant—delivering attentive, professional service that turns great food into unforgettable experiences. From confidently serving wine, coffee and cocktails (training provided) to sharing stories about provenance, you’ll keep your section humming (6–8 tables), support events, and jump between floor and bar as needed—all while upholding the high standards of The Newt.

Key Responsibilities

• Create unforgettable guest experiences with warm, genuine service
• Showcase Somerset’s finest flavours through our seasonal menu
• Master the art of serving food, wine, and coffee (training provided!)
• Keep your section buzzing and beautifully presented
• Bring energy, teamwork, and passion to every shift

What we can offer

• A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
• Peace of mind with Employee Life Cover, providing your nominated loved one with 2x your salary.
• Support from our Employee Assistance Programme, including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments for you and your family.
• Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
• Stay in shape with complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes.
• Access to our Cycle to Work scheme, supporting wellbeing and sustainable commuting.
• Complimentary staff meal when onsite – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
• Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
• Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and our partner gardens, including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
• We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme – Newt Awards, with the opportunity to achieve amazing rewards, including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
• Discover exclusive perks with discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a 30% discount at our restaurants.
• A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities, including Fun Squad events.
• Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team.

What we’re looking for

• Positive, can-do attitude with a warm, professional demeanour
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Calm under pressure; reliable team player with great attention to detail
• Passion for hospitality, sustainability and seasonal, local produce
• Adaptable—confident working independently or collaboratively
• Previous experience in a similar role (events or bar experience a plus)
• Bonus skills: Barista, WSET Level 1, experience with Micros tills
• Eagerness to learn and develop—training provided where required

Where you’ll be working

The Garden Café is a vibrant, produce-led restaurant at the heart of The Newt estate. With a menu that celebrates seasonal vegetables, estate-grown ingredients, and the work of our growers and makers, it offers guests a relaxed yet refined dining experience. Serving 150–200 covers daily—and more when events are running—it’s a fast-paced, dynamic space where

simplicity, freshness, and provenance shine on every plate. Our team takes pride in combining genuine hospitality with attentiveness, ensuring that every guest feels both cared for and inspired by the connection to the land. Collaboration, adaptability, and a shared passion for food and sustainability are central to the way we work, creating an atmosphere that is as supportive for staff as it is memorable for guests.

Who are we – The Newt in Somerset

Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions - accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home-away-from-home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt's essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams - from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming - collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences.

INDAVR