Frequently Asked Questions

About KSB Recruitment Consultants

What services does KSB Recruitment Consultants offer?

KSB Recruitment Consultants is a specialist Hospitality and Catering recruitment agency providing comprehensive staffing solutions across the UK. We offer temporary, permanent, and contract staffing for the full hospitality spectrum including chefs, kitchen staff, care home catering teams, contract caterers, and event professionals.

Our services include:

• Temporary staffing for last-minute cover, seasonal peaks, and special events
• Permanent recruitment for chefs, managers, and hospitality professionals at all levels
• Contract solutions for ongoing workforce requirements
• Emergency staff cover with same-day placement capability when possible

Looking for staff today? Call us on 0121 828 9840 for immediate support.

Where is KSB Recruitment Consultants based and what areas do you cover?

We are based in the West Midlands and provide recruitment services nationwide across the UK. Our coverage includes particular strength in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Birmingham, Solihull, the wider Midlands, Manchester, London, and the South West regions.

Recruitment Services

What types of hospitality and care roles can you help fill?

We recruit across all key hospitality and catering positions, from entry-level to Management roles:

Kitchen & Catering Staff:

• Head Chefs, Sous Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Chef de Partie (CDP), Relief Chefs
• Care home chefs, Hotel Chef, Gastor Pub Chef, Catering Assistants, Kitchen Porters
• Contract Catering Managers, Assistants, and Support Staff

Front of House & Service:

• Waiters, Bartenders, Sommeliers, Hosts and Hostesses
• Hotel Staff including Housekeeping, Reception, and Concierge
• Conference and Events Staff for all types of functions

Management Positions:

• Restaurant managers, Hotel Managers, Food & Beverage Managers, General Managers, Executive Head Chef,
• Care Home Catering Managers and Area Managers

Can you help with last-minute staffing emergencies?

Absolutely. We understand that staffing emergencies can happen suddenly, which is why we specialise in rapid response recruitment:

• Same-day placements for chef and catering staff when possible
• Emergency cover for all establishments including, hotels restaurants,  care homes, hospitals, and contract catering operations
• 24-48 hour turnaround for most roles across the UK
• Dedicated emergency recruitment team ready to respond to urgent needs

Need urgent staff? Call our emergency recruitment hotline today on 0121 828 9840; we will call you back within the hour with a simple yes or no !

How quickly can you provide temporary staff?

Our extensive database of pre-vetted and compliant candidates enables us to provide temporary staff rapidly across the UK. Typical response times include:

• Same-day placements for genuine emergencies (subject to availability)
• 24-48 hours for most standard temporary requirements
• Within hours for roles where we have candidates immediately available
• Weekend and evening placements arranged when businesses need urgent cover

All our temporary staff are fully reference-checked, right-to-work verified, and hold relevant food safety qualifications where required.

Do you offer both temporary and permanent recruitment?

Yes, we provide flexible staffing solutions to meet all your workforce needs:

Temporary Recruitment:

• Short-term cover for holidays, sickness, during own recruitment, expansion and busy periods
• Seasonal staff for peak trading times
• Event-specific teams for conferences, weddings, and functions
• Trial periods to assess candidates before permanent offers

Permanent Recruitment:

• Full recruitment process from job specification to placement
• Comprehensive candidate screening and interview coordination
• Reference checking and background verification
• Ongoing support during probationary periods
• Replacement guarantee if placements don’t work out

Quality and Standards

How do you ensure candidate quality?

Every candidate undergoes our rigorous 5-step vetting process to ensure they meet your standards:

1. Detailed Skills Assessment – In-depth interviews covering technical abilities and experience
2. Reference Verification – Comprehensive checks with previous employers
3. Right to Work Confirmation – Full documentation verification and compliance checks
4. Qualification Validation – Food safety, hygiene certificates, and professional qualifications verified
5. Background Screening – DBS checks arranged when required by the role

What qualifications do your hospitality candidates have?

Our candidates bring diverse qualifications and experience levels this list is not exhaustive:

Professional Qualifications:

• NVQs in Professional Cookery (Levels 1-4)
• Food Safety and Hygiene certificates (Level 2-3)
• HACCP training and implementation experience
• Sommelier certifications and wine qualifications
• Hospitality management degrees and diplomas

Specialist Training:

• Allergy awareness and dietary requirements training
• Health and safety certifications
• First aid qualifications where relevant
• Equipment-specific training (commercial kitchen machinery)

Do you provide training for temporary staff?

While our candidates arrive with existing skills and qualifications, we offer additional support:

• Site-specific briefings covering your procedures and standards
• Equipment familiarization for specialized kitchen or service equipment
• Menu and dietary requirement briefings for food service roles
• Health and safety orientation specific to your workplace
• Ongoing support throughout their assignment with regular check-ins
• Specialist Training if required in COSHH, Health & Hygiene, Allergen Awareness, Food Safety

Costs and Terms

What are your recruitment fees?

Our competitive fee structure is tailored to different placement types:

Temporary Staff:

• Hourly rates include all employment costs, holiday pay national insurance, pension and administration
• No upfront fees – you only pay for hours worked
• Flexible payment terms to suit your cash flow
• Transparent pricing with no hidden costs

Permanent Placements:

• Industry-standard percentage fees based on annual salary
• Competitive rates for different role levels
• Payment terms designed to support your business needs
• Contact us for a detailed quote specific to your requirements

Is there a minimum booking period for temporary staff?

We offer maximum flexibility to meet your operational needs:

• Single shifts available for events and emergency cover
• Daily bookings for short-term requirements (minimum 4 hours)
• Weekly or monthly contracts for ongoing temporary needs
• Seasonal contracts for peak trading periods
• Trial periods before permanent placement decisions

What happens if a temporary worker doesn’t meet expectations?

We stand behind our service quality with comprehensive guarantees:

• Immediate replacement at no additional charge where appropriate
• 24-hour support line for any issues or concerns
• Regular performance check-ins to ensure satisfaction
• Flexible arrangements to adjust staffing levels as needed
• No-quibble policy – if you’re not satisfied, we’ll make it right

Do you offer replacement guarantees for permanent placements?

Yes, we provide industry-leading replacement guarantees:

• 90-day full replacement guarantee for all permanent placements
• Sliding scale refunds if candidates leave within specific timeframes
• Free recruitment service to find suitable replacements
• No additional fees for replacement searches within guarantee period

Working with KSB Recruitment

How do I get started with KSB Recruitment?

Getting started is simple and straightforward:

1. Initial Consultation – Call one of our experienced and dedicated recruiters to discuss your staffing requirements
2. Needs Assessment – We’ll understand your specific needs and workplace culture
3. Service Agreement – Transparent terms and pricing discussion
4. Candidate Matching – We source and present suitable candidates
5. Ongoing Support – Regular communication and service optimisation

Do you work with businesses of all sizes?

Absolutely. Our client base includes:

• Independent restaurants and cafes – from single sites to small chains
• Hotel groups – boutique properties to major chains
• Contract catering companies – corporate, education, MOD and healthcare
• Care homes and healthcare facilities – private and NHS – we are approved on two key NHS Frameworks RM6277 and Health Trust Europe
• Event venues and catering companies – weddings, conferences, festivals
• Corporate hospitality providers – sports venues, entertainment complexes

Can you help with special events and functions?

Event staffing is also one of our specialties:

Event Types We Cover:

• Corporate conferences and meetings
• Weddings and private celebrations
• Sporting events and hospitality
• Festivals and outdoor events
• Product launches and exhibitions
• Seasonal and holiday functions

Event Staff Services:

• Complete event teams from kitchen to front-of-house
• Experienced event managers and coordinators
• Specialised roles like cocktail bartenders and sommelier services
• Equipment-specific staff for unique venue requirements
• Flexible team sizes from intimate gatherings to large-scale events

Getting in Touch

What are your operating hours?

• Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
• Emergency Line: Available outside hours for urgent staffing needs
• Weekend Support: Emergency placement service available
• Response Time: All enquiries answered within 1 hour during business hours

How quickly do you respond to enquiries?

We understand that timing is crucial in hospitality:

• Urgent requests: Immediate response during business hours
• Standard enquiries: Within 1 hour during business hours
• Out-of-hours emergencies: Emergency contact available 24/7
• Follow-up: Regular updates on candidate sourcing progress

What information do you need to start a search?

To provide the best service, we’ll need:

• Role specifications – duties, experience level, qualifications required
• Working conditions – hours, shifts, location details
• Company culture – team dynamics and working environment
• Timeline requirements – when you need someone to start
• Budget parameters – salary ranges or hourly rates
• Special requirements – specific skills, certifications, or experience

KSB Recruitment Consultants – Your trusted partner for hospitality and catering staffing solutions across the UK since 1991. Call 0121 828 9840 or email us to discuss your staffing requirements today