Start your search to find your closest local or specialist agency
Our specialist hospitality recruiters will help you find the perfect addition to your company, whether you are looking for cleaners, head chefs or front-of-house managers. Each of our recruiters specialise in a specific sector discipline, so you will be working with a knowledgeable consultant who understands local and national sector trends.
First Floor, One Derby Square, Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 9QR
+ 62 other offices
Tech Trade Recruitment is one of the leading recruitment agencies in Belfast and one of the fastest growing across Northern Ireland. The company was founded in 2002 and the directors have over 50 years of combined recruiting experience. They cover a multitude of technical and industrial sectors, including manufacturing, warehousing and construction.
13-15 Wilsons Court, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 4DQ
Alchemy Recruitment Solutions is a specialist agency that aims to help the Hospitality and Logistics sectors meet their staffing needs. Established in 2004, they search for temporary and permanent candidates across Northern Ireland, Greater Manchester and the North West.
Peter House Oxford Street, Manchester, Lancashire, M1 5AN
+ 2 other offices
Founded in 2014, Sure Recruitment covers different sectors such as Logistics & Driving, Warehouse & Industrial, Office & Support, Trades & Labour, and Food & Drink. With 7 years of recruitment experience, they fill full-time, part-time, weekends, and permanent vacancies across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
1a Jennymount Business Park, North Derby Street, York Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 3HN
+ 4 other offices
Blue Arrow connects job seekers with employers seeking permanent, temporary and contract personnel in driving, manufacturing, office and more. Theyve worked with employers such as Royal Mail, Hovis Bakery, Sodexo and Lloyds Banking Group. With the help of their London team, previous successes include 1,500 remote workers in 15 days. They are members of the Association of Labour Providers and are a Crown Commercial Service Supplier.
Office 4.06, Merchants Court, 2-12 Lord Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 1TS
+ 41 other offices
Catering assistants in Antrim tend to sit near £11 to £13 per hour for day shifts, with late finishes and event work moving closer to £14 to £15 per hour. Chefs de partie often earn £13 to £16 per hour, with head chefs on £32,000 to £40,000 depending on site size and food offer. Waiting and bar staff usually range from £10.90 to £12.50 per hour, with premiums on match days or large functions. Permanent recruitment fees often fall between 12% and 18% of basic salary, with senior hires higher. Temp agency costs reflect pay, holiday accrual, and margin, so ask for a clear rate card and any extra charges for last minute cover or bank holidays. Agree overtime rules, minimum shift lengths, and uniform charges up front.
Food hygiene certificates are standard across kitchen and front of house roles. Level 2 Food Safety is common for kitchen and service teams. Allergen awareness training is now routine, and many sites expect it before a first shift. Supervisors often hold a personal licence for alcohol service, and kitchen leaders may show HACCP knowledge. First aid at work and manual handling help in venues with busy event calendars. For school catering, request enhanced DBS checks and confirm update service status.
Antrim’s hiring pattern tracks airport demand, retail parks, and conference traffic. Belfast International Airport creates peaks for early starts and split shifts, so temp agencies often prioritise drivers with access to the A26 and M2. Town centre cafés lean on part time schedules that fit local college hours. Hotels near the Lough see weekend spikes tied to weddings and golf groups. Travel time on the M2 and parking near busy sites affect candidate take up, so mention start times and transport links in adverts.
Short notice cover for banqueting can be tight on Saturdays, and chef shortages rise during festival and wedding season. Cold chain and allergen procedures add onboarding steps that slow first shifts if documents are missing. Employers who confirm rota blocks for two to four weeks find better retention, since staff value steady hours more than one off shifts. Agencies that pre brief on menus, uniform, knives, and sign in points cut fallouts at the door.
Entry paths include kitchen porter, commis chef, bar back, and runner. Progression can be quick in Antrim, since event volumes give staff exposure to larger brigades and plated service. Chefs move from commis to demi to chef de partie within two to three busy seasons when learning is structured. Front of house staff step into supervisor roles by managing sections, cash, and close downs. Contract catering opens paths into unit management and multi site roles where cost control and nutrition standards matter.
Temp agencies handle peaks for weddings, conferences, school terms, and flight schedules. Contract work suits sites that need long cover for maternity or refurb projects. Permanent placements focus on head chef, sous chef, restaurant manager, and unit manager roles where cultural fit matters. Employers gain speed from a temp to perm route that tests skills on site before making an offer. Candidates use temp shifts to build references and learn new systems, which often leads to stable hours.
Antrim and Newtownabbey employers draw staff from nearby towns that connect on the M2 and A6, so rota planners should watch bus timetables for late finishes. Sites near Belfast International Airport need early check ins and security briefings, so recruiters screen for ID and right to work documents before booking. Junction One Retail Park pulls weekend footfall, which means more Saturday shifts for both quick service and casual dining.
Agree headline rates for each role, set travel or mileage rules, and confirm payment timing. Ask recruitment consultants to list pay rates, holiday pay, pension, and any uplifts for nights or split shifts. For permanent hires, clarify rebate periods and staged fees for senior management. For volume events, consider a fixed project fee that covers briefing, check ins, and an on site coordinator. Transparent terms make it easier to find employees fast and keep budgets steady.
The hospitality job market here is active across hotels, airport catering, schools, and leisure venues. Employers who offer paid breaks, hot meals on duty, and flexible rotas win more candidates. Retention improves when staff can register with an agency for extra shifts during quiet weeks at their core site. Jobseekers value clear notice, fair rotas, and training that leads to higher pay bands.
Agencies place catering assistants, kitchen porters, commis chefs, chefs de partie, sous chefs, head chefs, waiting staff, bar staff, baristas, and event supervisors. Executive search comes into play for hotel F and B managers, head chefs for multi outlet sites, and contract catering general managers.
What documents do I need for temp catering shifts in Antrim?
Right to work proof, photo ID, bank details, NI number, and proof of food hygiene help you start quickly.
What are typical chef pay rates near Antrim?
Commis and CDP roles often sit between £13 and £16 per hour, with sous and head chefs higher based on site size.
Can employers secure large event teams at short notice?
Yes, if the brief is clear on numbers, start times, uniforms, and point of contact, with rates agreed in advance.
How do recruitment fees work for permanent catering hires?
Most employment firms quote a percentage of salary with a rebate period, and senior appointments may carry a higher band.
Do agencies cover DBS checks for school catering roles?
Agencies can help with checks, though employers and candidates should agree who pays and how renewals are handled.