Food Hygiene & Safety Stewards – Keeping Strawberry Fair Deliciously Safe

Food Hygiene & Safety Stewards at Strawberry Fair play a vital role in ensuring that every food trader on site is operating safely, responsibly, and in full compliance with food hygiene regulations. With over 40 food traders serving thousands of visitors, this proactive volunteer team helps maintain a safe, high-quality food environment across the Fair.

Our food areas are lively, busy spaces filled with traders, volunteers, and the public moving through at the same time. To help uphold high standards and keep these areas well-managed, we're recruiting a confident team of Food Hygiene & Safety Stewards who will work closely with our Food Trader Manager throughout the event.

This is an inspector role. You will be actively checking traders for compliance, instructing them to correct unsafe practices, and ensuring they are meeting mandatory food hygiene standards. While a friendly and clear approach is always welcome, this role is primarily about enforcing good practice and policing food safety, not simply offering optional guidance. If a trader fails to address a serious issue after being instructed to fix it, you will escalate to the Food Trader Manager, who has the authority to stop them trading if necessary.

To carry out this role confidently, a minimum Food Hygiene Level 3 qualification (or above) is required. Experience working in a kitchen, food business, catering environment, or similar role is preferred, as it provides valuable practical understanding of safe food handling and hygiene.

What the role involves

• Visiting food traders across the site and carrying out checklist-based inspections
• Ensuring traders are following core food hygiene and safety regulations
• Clearly instructing traders to correct unsafe or non-compliant practices
• Acting in an enforcement capacity - this role is about inspecting, ensuring compliance, and policing standards
• Identifying serious issues and escalating them to the Food Trader Manager if traders do not make required changes
• Working as part of a coordinated team of stewards covering 40+ food traders before the Fair opens
• Staying observant, confident, and assertive in busy environments

This role is mobile and involves walking between traders across the site. You'll be checking conditions, giving clear direction where needed, and escalating concerns to the Food Trader Manager. Your involvement directly contributes to maintaining a safe, compliant, and professionally run food operation throughout Strawberry Fair.

Skills or Attributes Needed

• Food Hygiene Level 3 qualification or above (required)
• Experience in a kitchen, catering, or food business environment (preferred)
• Strong communication skills, especially when giving clear instructions
• Confidence in enforcing rules and addressing unsafe practices
• Ability to stay calm, observant, and assertive in fast-paced, busy settings
• Comfortable working outdoors and on your feet for extended periods
• A professional, fair, and safety-focused approach when interacting with traders
• Strong attention to detail and ability to recognise non-compliant practices quickly

Benefits / Why Join Us

• Play a central role in ensuring public safety and high food standards at a major community event
• Gain hands-on experience in food safety enforcement within a live festival environment
• Build confidence in inspection, communication, and decision-making skills
• Work as part of a coordinated, supportive team with an important shared mission
• Put your food safety knowledge into practice in a dynamic, real-world setting
• Be part of the behind-the-scenes operation that keeps Strawberry Fair running safely and professionally
• Contribute to an iconic Cambridge event enjoyed by thousands