Company: Tsebo Catering
Position: Food Service Assistant – Johannesburg Talentpool (HC)
Reference Number: TSE260806-5
Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Closing Date: 6 September 2026
Industry: Catering and Hospitality

Food Service Assistant Vacancy at Tsebo Catering

Tsebo Catering is recruiting Food Service Assistants in Johannesburg, Gauteng, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply before the closing date.

The position is suitable for individuals who enjoy working with people and are interested in the catering, hospitality and food service industry. The successful candidates will assist with food preparation and serving while ensuring that customers receive friendly, professional and efficient service.

Food Service Assistants will also help maintain clean and hygienic kitchen and service areas, assist with stock control, remove waste and support the wider catering team with daily operational duties.

This is a full-time opportunity and forms part of the Johannesburg Talentpool.

About Tsebo Catering

Tsebo Catering is part of Tsebo Solutions Group, a leading African integrated workplace management services provider.

Tsebo operates across several service areas, including catering, facilities management, cleaning and hygiene, pest control, protection, energy, procurement, workspace design, engineering and remote camps.

The organisation focuses on delivering quality services while developing its employees and creating a workforce that understands and responds to clients’ needs.

Purpose of the Food Service Assistant Role

The main purpose of the position is to support the preparation and serving of meals and beverages while maintaining high standards of customer service, food safety and cleanliness.

The Food Service Assistant will work closely with other catering team members to ensure that customers receive meals and beverages efficiently and professionally.

The role may involve working in a busy environment where employees need to manage several tasks while maintaining quality and hygiene standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate may be responsible for the following:

Food Preparation and Service

• Prepare and present meals according to Tsebo standards.
• Assist with preparing fast foods, snacks and sandwiches.
• Serve food and beverages to customers.
• Ensure food is presented neatly and professionally.
• Maintain consistent quality when preparing food.
• Follow instructions provided by supervisors and kitchen management.
• Assist with daily catering operations.

Customer Service

Excellent customer service is an important part of this position.

Responsibilities include:

• Greeting customers warmly.
• Assisting customers in a friendly and professional manner.
• Responding to customer requests.
• Maintaining positive relationships with customers and colleagues.
• Providing service according to Tsebo’s customer experience standards.
• Handling customers courteously, even during busy periods.

Food Hygiene and Safety

The successful candidate must maintain high standards of food hygiene and workplace cleanliness.

This includes:

• Following food safety procedures.
• Keeping food preparation areas clean.
• Cleaning equipment and work surfaces.
• Following health and safety requirements.
• Storing food correctly.
• Preventing cross-contamination.
• Following company hygiene procedures.
• Reporting health, safety or food hygiene concerns to management.

Cleaning and Housekeeping

Food Service Assistants will also assist with keeping catering areas clean and organised.

Duties may include:

• Cleaning kitchen and service areas.
• Washing dishes and kitchen equipment.
• Removing waste.
• Keeping workstations tidy.
• Cleaning tables and customer service areas where required.
• Assisting with general housekeeping duties.

Stock Control

The successful candidate will assist with basic stock management activities, including:

• Participating in stock counts.
• Rotating stock.
• Checking stock levels.
• Reducing food wastage.
• Following stock control procedures.
• Reporting shortages or damaged stock.
• Safeguarding company stock and equipment.

Loss Prevention

Employees are expected to follow company procedures designed to protect stock, equipment and other company assets.

This includes complying with stock handling procedures and reporting irregularities to the appropriate supervisor.

Skills and Competencies

Applicants should have the following skills and attributes:

• Strong customer service skills.
• Good verbal communication.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic food preparation knowledge.
• Understanding of food hygiene and safety.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Good attention to detail.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Professional appearance.
• Positive attitude.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Basic understanding of stock control.
• Commitment to quality.
• Willingness to learn.

Minimum Qualification

The advertised minimum qualification is:

Matric / Grade 12

Applicants should ensure that their CV clearly indicates their highest level of education.

Experience Requirements

Experience in food preparation, catering, hospitality, restaurants, food service or a similar environment will be advantageous.

Applicants who have previously worked with customers or in busy service environments may also have transferable skills that are useful for this position.

Relevant experience may include:

• Restaurant work
• Catering
• Hospitality
• Food preparation
• Waitering
• Kitchen assistance
• Retail customer service
• Cleaning and housekeeping
• Stock handling

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity may be suitable for job seekers who:

• Have completed Grade 12.
• Are interested in the hospitality and catering industry.
• Enjoy working with customers.
• Can work effectively as part of a team.
• Are comfortable working in a busy environment.
• Have good communication skills.
• Are reliable and punctual.
• Understand the importance of cleanliness and hygiene.
• Are willing to learn new skills.

Career Opportunities in the Catering Industry

A Food Service Assistant position can provide valuable experience for individuals who want to build a career in hospitality and catering.

With additional experience and training, employees may progress into roles such as:

• Senior Food Service Assistant
• Catering Assistant
• Waiter/Waitress
• Kitchen Assistant
• Cook
• Chef
• Catering Supervisor
• Food Service Supervisor
• Catering Manager
• Hospitality Supervisor
• Restaurant Supervisor

Additional training in food preparation, hospitality, food safety or culinary studies can also help candidates develop their careers.

Why Work in Food Services?

The food service and hospitality industry offers opportunities for people who enjoy working in customer-facing environments.

Working in catering can help employees develop transferable skills such as:

• Customer service
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Food preparation
• Stock control
• Hygiene and safety
• Problem-solving
• Working under pressure

These skills can be useful across restaurants, hotels, catering companies, hospitals, schools, corporate facilities and other hospitality environments.

Application Tips

Before applying for the Food Service Assistant position, make sure your CV is updated and easy to read.

Your CV should clearly include:

• Full name and contact details.
• Matric / Grade 12 qualification.
• Previous work experience.
• Customer service experience.
• Food preparation or catering experience.
• Relevant skills.
• References, where appropriate.

If you have worked in a restaurant, hotel, catering company, supermarket, fast-food environment or another customer-facing position, make sure this experience is clearly highlighted.

Important Information

Job Title: Food Service Assistant – Johannesburg Talentpool (HC)

Reference Number: TSE260806-5

Company: Tsebo Catering

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng

Country: South Africa

Minimum Qualification: Matric / Grade 12

Closing Date: 6 September 2026

Applicants should ensure that their applications are submitted before the closing date and that all information provided is accurate.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit an updated CV and ensure that their application accurately reflects their qualifications, experience and skills relevant to the Food Service Assistant position.

Do not wait until the closing date to submit your application. Early submission is recommended to avoid technical or administrative problems.

Final Thoughts

The Tsebo Food Service Assistant opportunity provides an opportunity for qualified job seekers in Johannesburg to enter or develop their careers in the catering and hospitality industry.

With Matric / Grade 12 listed as the minimum qualification, candidates who have good customer service skills, a positive attitude and an interest in food service should consider applying.

Applicants should carefully review the requirements and submit their applications before 6 September 2026.