Restaurants · Hotels · Pubs · Events · Schools · Care catering
Hospitality Recruitment Agency for Kitchens, Hotels and Front of House Across the UK
Short a chef on Saturday? Lost your head housekeeper with a week's notice? Team Catering sends vetted hospitality staff to venues in Manchester, London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and every major UK city. Temp shifts, ongoing cover and permanent hires, run from one desk that picks up the phone at 2am.
- ✓ Right-to-Work checked
- ✓ Food Safety Level 2 minimum
- ✓ Two references called
- ✓ No placement fee on temps
From our bookings desk
Figures from our own shift logs over the last 12 months. Ask and we'll show you the working.
Hospitality staffing agency · Manchester and UK-wide
A hospitality recruitment agency that answers to the people running the pass
Most of our clients found us the same way: another agency let them down on a busy night. We started out supplying chefs and kitchen porters to Manchester restaurants, and the work grew from there into hotels, stadium hospitality, conference catering, school kitchens and festival bars.
For employers
Temporary hospitality staff by the shift, temp-to-perm when someone fits, and permanent recruitment for head chefs, general managers and housekeeping leads. You brief us once, we keep your preferences on file, and the next booking is a two-line email. Read how we vet people on our why us page.
For jobseekers
Paid weekly, shifts close to home, and a consultant who knows the kitchen you're walking into. Whether you're after part-time hospitality jobs around uni or a full-time sous chef role, start on the live jobs board.
Who we are
Team Catering is part of a UK staffing group with offices in Manchester and London. Our consultants have worked hotel nights, banqueting and busy brunch services themselves. More on the team on our about us page.
Hire hospitality staff
The hospitality staff we place, front and back of house
If it happens in a kitchen, on a floor or behind a hotel desk, we probably have someone on the books for it. These are the roles venues ring us about most.
Chefs, all levels
Commis to executive. Temp chef cover for sickness and holidays, or a permanent head chef search through our chef recruitment service.
Kitchen porters
The role everyone forgets until the pot wash backs up. Same-day KPs across London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Waiting and bar staff
Silver service, casual dining, cocktail bars and high-volume match day kiosks. Briefed on your menu before they arrive.
Housekeeping and porters
Room attendants, head housekeepers, night porters and hospital porters for hotels and healthcare sites.
Concierge and front desk
Reception, guest services and concierge teams, including our London concierge desk.
School and contract catering
Catering assistants and school cooks who hold up to DBS checks and understand allergen menus for children.
Event and banqueting crews
Weddings, conferences, festivals and corporate hospitality. See our event catering staff page for ratios.
Managers and supervisors
Duty managers, restaurant managers and area managers, on interim cover or permanent placement.
Why venues call us
The hiring headaches we hear about every single week
These come straight from conversations with restaurant owners, hotel GMs and catering managers in Manchester and beyond. Here's each one, and what we actually do about it.
Problem 1
Staff who don't turn up
A no-show at 5pm on a Friday costs you covers, tips and reviews. We confirm every booked worker the day before and again two hours out. If someone drops, the desk has a replacement moving before you've noticed.
Problem 2
Chefs are hard to find, and harder to keep
Good chefs de partie get poached within months. We keep a bench of chefs we've seen cook, not just read about, and we tell you honestly what the market rate is so your offer lands. Benchmark it with our UK chef salary guide.
Problem 3
Agencies that send whoever is free
Sending a bar back to cover a sous chef shift isn't cover, it's a problem. We match by skill and by venue type, and you can decline anyone without giving a reason.
Problem 4
Weekends, bank holidays and Christmas
Demand doesn't spread itself evenly. Book a standing weekend crew, or call the 24/7 line for last-minute gaps. December parties and summer festivals get planned with you in September, not the week before.
Problem 5
Compliance you can't afford to get wrong
Right-to-Work checks, allergen awareness, food hygiene, working-time limits and the 12-week Agency Workers Regulations rule. We hold the paperwork and share it on request, so an inspection isn't a scramble.
Problem 6
The cost of a bad permanent hire
Advertising, interviews, induction, then they leave after six weeks. Temp-to-perm lets you see someone work real services before you commit. If they're right, we arrange the switch.
Problem 7
Slow replies when you need an answer now
You get a named consultant and a direct number. Urgent requests are confirmed in two to six hours, usually sooner in Manchester and London.
Problem 8
Rising wage costs
The National Living Wage moved to £12.71 an hour in April 2026. We'll show you exactly what's in our charge rate, with no padding and no surprise admin fees on the invoice.
Hospitality pay rates 2026
Roles, duties and typical pay rates
These are the hourly pay ranges we're seeing on bookings this autumn. London usually sits at the top of each band, smaller towns nearer the bottom. Weekend and bank holiday shifts carry an uplift.
| Role | What they do on shift | Typical pay (£/hr) |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen porter | Pot wash, prep support, waste, deliveries, deep cleans | 12.75 – 14.50 |
| Commis chef | Mise en place, section support, following spec sheets | 13.25 – 15.00 |
| Chef de partie | Runs a section through service, prep lists, ordering | 15.00 – 18.50 |
| Sous chef | Runs the pass, rotas, stock, steps up for the head chef | 17.00 – 22.00 |
| Head chef (temp) | Menu delivery, kitchen management, food safety lead | 19.00 – 28.00 |
| Waiting staff | Covers, order taking, plated and buffet service | 12.75 – 15.00 |
| Bar staff / mixologist | Pouring, cocktails, cellar basics, Challenge 25 checks | 12.75 – 15.50 |
| Barista | Espresso, milk work, till, morning rush | 12.75 – 14.50 |
| Room attendant / housekeeper | Room turns to brand standard, linen, reporting faults | 12.75 – 14.00 |
| Night porter | Overnight reception, security rounds, late room service | 13.00 – 15.00 |
| Concierge / receptionist | Check-in, bookings, guest requests, local knowledge | 13.50 – 17.00 |
| School catering assistant | Serving, prep, allergen-aware lunch service | 12.75 – 13.75 |
| Duty / event supervisor | Team brief, rotations, client liaison, sign-off | 16.00 – 22.00 |
Comparing suppliers before you book? Our roundup of the top 10 chef agencies in London and the shorter top 5 chef agencies in London are honest about where others do things well. There's also a wider look at top catering recruitment agencies in London from our sister brand.
How booking works
From phone call to staff on shift in four steps
Tell us what you need
Role, date, hours, venue and anything unusual about your kitchen or floor. Use the post a job form or ring 0161 524 8698.
We send names, not promises
You get the person's name, experience, certificates and rate to approve. Turn anyone down, no questions asked.
They arrive briefed
Start time, uniform, who to report to, menu notes and allergens all go out the day before the shift.
You sign off hours
Approve timesheets, we handle pay, holiday pay, NI and the paperwork. Your favourites get saved for next time.
What every worker goes through before their first shift
- Right-to-Work check, photo ID and address
- Food Safety Level 2 certificate as a minimum
- Allergen awareness for anyone handling food
- Two references, actually phoned
- Practical skills check for chefs and baristas
- DBS where the venue requires it (schools, care)
- Uniform standards and a short induction call
- Certificates stored and shared on request
Facts and statistics
Hospitality hiring in numbers
The rules that shape your rota, the numbers we hold ourselves to, and what staff cost city by city. Feel free to quote any of it, a link back is appreciated.
Table 1: UK rules every hospitality employer should know
| Rule or fact | Figure | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage (21+) | £12.71 per hour | Applies from 1 April 2026 |
| Statutory paid holiday | 5.6 weeks a year | Includes temps; we accrue it for you |
| Agency Workers Regulations | Equal treatment after 12 weeks | Same role, same hirer, pay and conditions |
| Working Time Regulations | 48-hour weekly average | Workers can opt out in writing |
| Night workers | 8 hours average per 24 | Relevant for night porters and overnight kitchens |
| Allergen labelling | 14 major allergens | Staff must be able to answer guest questions |
| Hospitality workforce | Around 3.5 million people | UKHospitality estimate, one of the UK's largest private sector employers |
Table 2: How our desk performs
| Measure | Figure | How we measure it |
|---|---|---|
| Shift fill rate | 95%+ | Bookings desk log, rolling 12 months |
| Urgent cover confirmed | 2 – 6 hours | Same-day requests via the 24/7 line |
| No-shows on booked shifts | Under 1% | Attendance records |
| Workers arriving late | Under 2% | On-site sign-in |
| Repeat client bookings | 93 – 97% | Clients booking again within 90 days |
| Client satisfaction | 97 – 99% | Post-shift feedback |
| Temp-to-perm conversions | Around 1 in 6 | Placements that become permanent |
Table 3: Turnaround by booking type
| Booking type | How fast we confirm | Lead time we suggest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same-day emergency cover | 2 – 6 hours | None needed | Call +44 333 2422 711, not the form |
| Single chef or KP shift | Same day – 24 hours | 24 hours ideal | Tell us your menu style |
| Weekend standing crew | 24 – 48 hours | One week | Same faces each week where possible |
| Hotel housekeeping team | 24 – 48 hours | One week | Room count and brand standards needed |
| Event or festival volume | 48 – 72 hours | 4 – 6 weeks | One supervisor per ten staff |
| Permanent head chef / GM | 5 – 15 working days to shortlist | Rolling | Trial shifts arranged for you |
Table 4: Hospitality pay index by city
| City | Waiting staff (£/hr) | Chef de partie (£/hr) | Demand for staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 13.75 | 17.50 | Very high |
| Manchester | 13.00 | 16.25 | High |
| Birmingham | 12.90 | 16.00 | High |
| Edinburgh | 13.10 | 16.50 | Very high in August |
| Glasgow | 12.95 | 16.00 | High |
| Liverpool | 12.85 | 15.75 | High |
| Leeds | 12.90 | 16.00 | Medium–high |
| Sheffield | 12.80 | 15.50 | Medium |
| Bristol | 13.20 | 16.50 | High |
| Cardiff | 12.80 | 15.50 | Medium |
| Newcastle | 12.80 | 15.50 | Medium |
UK coverage
Hospitality staffing in every major UK city
Our Manchester office runs the North West and Scotland desks, and the London team covers the South East. Between them they place staff in 60+ towns and cities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We also staff venues in Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle, Nottingham, Southampton, Brighton, Bournemouth, Plymouth, Exeter, Oxford, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Ipswich, Aberdeen, Belfast, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Stockport, Swindon, Watford, Guildford and Chelmsford. If your town isn't listed, ring the desk. It's rare that we can't help.
Hospitality recruitment agency Manchester
Our Manchester office at Piccadilly Gardens
Manchester is where we started and it's still our busiest desk. On any given weekend we've got chefs in Spinningfields, bar teams in the Northern Quarter, KPs on Deansgate and banqueting crews at the big conference venues. Match days at the Etihad and Old Trafford, the Christmas markets and the run of autumn conferences all bring extra demand, and we plan those months with clients well in advance.
Looking for work in the city? Our temporary hospitality jobs in Manchester page lists what's open this week. Need a chef fast? The Manchester chef agency desk handles that.
Team Catering
Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester M1 1RG
Phone: 0161 524 8698
24/7 line: +44 333 2422 711
Email: Team@Catering.Jobs
Office hours Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Bookings line open 24 hours, every day of the year.
Latest hospitality jobs
Latest hospitality jobs in Manchester and across the UK
Real vacancies from real clients, updated by the desk each morning. Manchester roles sit at the top because that's where most of this week's bookings are.
| Posted | Role | Location | Shift | Pay (£/hr) | Status | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Chef de Partie | Spinningfields, Manchester | Full-time, rota | 16.50 | Urgent | Apply |
| Today | Bar & Waiting Staff | Northern Quarter, Manchester | Weekend evenings | 13.25 | Open | Apply |
| Today | Kitchen Porter | Deansgate, Manchester | Immediate start | 13.00 | Urgent | Apply |
| Today | Banqueting Staff | Manchester city centre | Event shifts | 13.25 | Open | Apply |
| 1 day | Night Porter | Birmingham | Nights, 4 on 4 off | 13.75 | Open | Apply |
| 1 day | Waiter / Waitress | Leicester | Part-time | 12.90 | Open | Apply |
| 1 day | Waiting Staff | Liverpool | Flexible | 12.90 | Open | Apply |
| 2 days | Barista (students welcome) | Edinburgh | Part-time | 12.85 | Open | Apply |
| 2 days | Festival Hospitality Staff | Edinburgh | Seasonal | 13.00 | Open | Apply |
| 2 days | Head Housekeeper | Bradford | Permanent | 15.50 | Open | Apply |
| 3 days | Hospitality Manager | Coventry | Permanent | 18.50 | Open | Apply |
| 3 days | School Catering Assistant | Wolverhampton | Term-time | 12.75 | Open | Apply |
| 4 days | Concierge | Harrow-on-the-Hill | Days | 14.50 | Open | Apply |
| 4 days | Kitchen Porter | London | Temp, ongoing | 13.50 | Urgent | Apply |
| 5 days | Chef | Derby | Full-time | 15.00 | Open | Apply |
| 5 days | School Cook | Enfield Town | Term-time | 13.75 | Open | Apply |
Why Team Catering
Why hotels, restaurants and caterers book us again
We've done the job
Our consultants have worked kitchens, bars and hotel nights. When you say your pass gets slammed at 8pm, we know what that means.
One contact, not a call centre
Your consultant knows your venue, your menu and your awkward Tuesday dinner service. You won't explain it twice.
You pay for hours worked
No placement fee on temporary staff. One clear hourly charge covering pay, holiday, NI and our margin.
Favourites kept on file
Liked someone? We'll ask them first next time. Most of our regular clients see the same faces week after week.
Temp, temp-to-perm or permanent
Start with a shift, keep them for the season, or hire them outright. Your choice, and the terms are written down from day one.
Honest when we can't
If we can't fill a shift with someone good, we'll tell you early rather than send someone wrong.
The full detail on our standards is on the why us page. Ready to talk? Contact the desk or send us a brief.
For jobseekers
Looking for hospitality work? Here's how it works with us
Whether it's your first job in a kitchen or you've run one for ten years, we'll find shifts that suit you. Part-time around uni, full-time with a regular rota, nights, weekends only, or immediate start because rent's due. Tell us what you want and we'll be straight about what's out there.
What you get
- Weekly pay, straight into your account
- Holiday pay that builds up from your first shift
- Shifts near home, not across the county
- A consultant you can text
- Help getting your Food Safety Level 2
- A route into permanent work if you want it
What we ask for
- Right to work in the UK, with photo ID
- Two people we can call for a reference
- Black trousers, closed shoes (we'll sort the rest)
- Turning up on time, every time
- No experience needed for KP, waiting or bar back roles
- Chefs: we'll ask you to do a trial shift
Signing up takes 10 minutes
Pick a job from the jobs board, send your details, and we'll call you back the same day. Bring your documents to the Manchester office or do the checks by video.
Browse hospitality jobsHospitality jobs near you this week
Reviews
What clients and staff say about us
★★★★★
“We lost two chefs in the same week before a 200-cover Saturday. Team Catering had a sous chef and a CDP in by Friday lunchtime, and they cooked like they'd been there a month.”
★★★★★
“We use them for weekend housekeeping across three hotels. Same team most weeks, rooms done to standard, and I can fix next week's rota in a single email.”
★★★★★
“Honest about rates, honest about who's available. The one time they couldn't fill a shift they told me on Wednesday, not Saturday.”
★★★★★
“I picked up bar shifts around my degree and ended up with a permanent supervisor job at one of the venues. They pushed for a decent rate for me too.”
Free resources
Free tools for hospitality employers
Made for the person doing the rota at 11pm. Use them, print them, share them. A link back to this page is welcome but not required.
Interactive guide
UK Hospitality Pay Index 2026
Hourly rates by role and city, refreshed every quarter. The number to quote when your finance director asks what a chef costs.
View the pay index →Planning tool
Staffing Ratio Guide for Events
How many servers, bar staff and kitchen porters you need per guest count and service style.
Open the ratio guide →Free template
Kitchen Shift Brief
One page covering start time, uniform, menu, allergens and who to report to. Print it and pin it by the pass.
Get the brief template →Printable checklist
Seasonal Hiring Calendar
When to book for Christmas, summer festivals, Edinburgh in August and the football calendar.
Plan your season →Comparison
Top 10 Chef Agencies in London
A plain look at what each agency does well and where they fall short.
Read the comparison →Job description pack
Hospitality Job Description Templates
Editable job descriptions for KP, CDP, sous chef, waiting staff and housekeeping.
Download the pack →Cite this page
Team Catering (2026) Hospitality Recruitment Agency: UK Pay Rates and Staffing Data. Available at: https://catering.jobs/ (Accessed: 3 November 2026).
FAQs
Hospitality recruitment questions, answered
The questions employers and candidates ask us most. Can't see yours? Ask the desk.
What does a hospitality recruitment agency do?
A hospitality recruitment agency finds, vets and supplies staff to restaurants, hotels, pubs, caterers and event venues. That covers temporary shift cover, ongoing temp staff and permanent hires. With temporary staff, the agency employs and pays the worker, and you pay an hourly charge for the hours they work.
How quickly can you send temporary hospitality staff?
Urgent cover is usually confirmed within two to six hours. In Manchester and London it's often faster. For same-day requests, call our 24/7 line on +44 333 2422 711 rather than using the online form.
How much does it cost to hire hospitality staff through an agency?
You pay an hourly charge rate that includes the worker's pay, holiday pay, employer National Insurance and our fee. Waiting and bar staff are typically paid £12.75 to £15.50 an hour, chefs £13.25 to £28.00 depending on level. There's no placement fee on temporary staff. Permanent placements are charged as a one-off fee, agreed before we start.
Do you supply chefs and kitchen porters?
Yes, they're the roles we're asked for most. We place commis chefs through to head chefs, pastry chefs and kitchen porters, on temporary cover or permanent contracts.
Which UK cities do you cover?
We work from offices in Manchester and London and place staff across the UK, including Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, Leicester, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Southampton, Brighton and Belfast.
Can I hire a temp permanently?
Yes. Temp-to-perm is one of the most common ways our clients hire. You see the person work real services first, and if they're right, we arrange the switch to your payroll on terms written into your agreement from the start.
Are your staff food safety trained?
Everyone handling food holds Food Safety Level 2 as a minimum, and staff are trained on the 14 major allergens. We check Right-to-Work, ID and references before anyone's first shift, and hold DBS checks where a venue needs them.
What is a KP in hospitality?
KP stands for kitchen porter. A KP keeps the kitchen running by washing pots and equipment, helping with basic prep, handling deliveries, managing waste and cleaning. It's often the first job people take in a kitchen and a common route into chef work.
What types of hospitality jobs are there?
Back of house roles include chefs, kitchen porters and catering assistants. Front of house covers waiting staff, bar staff, baristas, hosts and supervisors. Hotels add housekeeping, night porters, reception and concierge. There are also management roles, events staff, school and hospital catering, and corporate hospitality work.
Can I get a hospitality job with no experience?
Yes. Kitchen porter, bar back, waiting staff and catering assistant roles are open to people with no experience, as long as you're reliable and have the right to work in the UK. We can help you get your Food Safety Level 2 certificate too.
Do you have part-time and weekend hospitality jobs for students?
Plenty. Weekend bar shifts, evening waiting work, festival jobs and barista roles all fit around lectures. Tell us when you're free and we'll match shifts to it.
Can people from outside the UK apply for hospitality jobs?
Anyone we place must have the legal right to work in the UK, and we check this before the first shift. We don't sponsor visas ourselves. Some employers sponsor skilled roles such as certain chef positions through the Skilled Worker route, so it's worth checking current GOV.UK guidance.
How do I register for hospitality work with Team Catering?
Choose a role on our jobs board and apply, or call 0161 524 8698. We'll ring you back, check your documents in person or by video, and offer your first shifts once your checks are complete. Pay is weekly.
Short-staffed this week? Let's sort it today.
Send the role, the date and the venue. We'll come back with names, rates and certificates. Same-day cover goes through the 24/7 line.
Book Hospitality Staff Contact the Desk0161 524 8698 office hours · +44 333 2422 711 24/7