Jessica Marais cleans tables and serves drinks while waitressing

Jessica Marais has been pictured working as a waitress for the first time. 

The Logie-winning actress, who stepped away from acting in 2018 to focus on her mental health, was seen serving drinks and cleaning tables at Gordons Cafe in Clovelly, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, on Wednesday.

Sporting a black dress and matching apron, the former Packed to the Rafters star, 37, kept busy as she greeted guests and took their orders. 

Order up! Logie-winning actress Jessica Marais was pictured cleaning tables and serving drinks while waitressing at Gordons Cafe in Clovelly, Sydney, on Wednesday 

Jessica dressed sensibly for a day on her feet, sporting a pair of white Converse sneakers, and slicked her curly blonde hair into a no-fuss ponytail. 

She wore minimal makeup and eschewed jewellery for her shift. 

Proving herself to be a woman of many talents, Jessica effortlessly balanced multiple cups, bottles and plates as she waltzed around the café.

Busy: Sporting a black dress and matching apron, the former Packed to the Rafters star, 37, kept busy as she greeted guests and took their orders

Busy: Sporting a black dress and matching apron, the former Packed to the Rafters star, 37, kept busy as she greeted guests and took their orders

Practical: Jessica dressed sensibly for a day on her feet, sporting a pair of white Converse sneakers, and slicked her curly blonde hair into a no-fuss ponytail

Practical: Jessica dressed sensibly for a day on her feet, sporting a pair of white Converse sneakers, and slicked her curly blonde hair into a no-fuss ponytail

At one stage, she was seen wiping down a table with a cloth. 

Elsewhere, the Love Child star was spotted smiling at customers while carrying a tray with two cappuccinos.

Several customers appeared to recognise their waitress as one of Australia’s most famous TV stars. 

She's a natural! Proving herself to be a woman of many talents, Jessica effortlessly balanced multiple cups, bottles and plates as she waltzed around the café

She’s a natural! Proving herself to be a woman of many talents, Jessica effortlessly balanced multiple cups, bottles and plates as she waltzed around the café

Is that really you? Several customers appeared to recognise their waitress as one of Australia's most famous TV stars

Is that really you? Several customers appeared to recognise their waitress as one of Australia’s most famous TV stars

Gordons Cafe, on the corner of Beach Street and Clovelly Road, is just a stone’s throw away from Jessica’s home.

It is also close to her favourite swimming spot, Gordons Bay.  

Jessica is said to be enjoying her new job, with a customer telling this week’s New Idea she was ‘friendly’ and looked ‘really happy’ during a recent visit. 

Working hard: At one stage, she was seen wiping down a table with a cloth

Local: Gordons Cafe, on the corner of Beach Street and Clovelly Road, is just a stone's throw away from Jessica's home

Local: Gordons Cafe, on the corner of Beach Street and Clovelly Road, is just a stone’s throw away from Jessica’s home  

Jessica stepped away from acting in late 2018 but looked set to make a comeback in 2020 when she joined the cast of Back to the Rafters, the Amazon Prime Video reboot of beloved Channel Seven drama Packed to the Rafters.

She was due to reprise her role as Rachel Rafter, the character she had played from 2008 until 2013 in the original Seven series, but pulled out at the last minute.

Her former co-star Angus McLaren, who played Nathan Rafter, told Daily Mail Australia earlier this year she was ‘doing well’.

Thriving: The sighting comes amid reports Jessica is enjoying in her new job, with a customer telling this week's New Idea she was 'friendly' and looked 'really happy' during a recent visit

Thriving: The sighting comes amid reports Jessica is enjoying in her new job, with a customer telling this week’s New Idea she was ‘friendly’ and looked ‘really happy’ during a recent visit 

‘Yeah we definitely missed her on set, but the good thing about Jess is she lived quite close to me when I was in Sydney,’ he said.

‘So I actually got to see her. I really have a lot of love for Jess.

‘It would’ve been great to work with her. She’s certainly one of those people who brings a good vibe to the set.’ 

Shock news: Jessica stepped away from acting in late 2018 but looked set to make a comeback in 2020 when she joined the cast of the Packed to the Rafters reboot. However, she shocked fans when she pulled out at the last minute

Shock news: Jessica stepped away from acting in late 2018 but looked set to make a comeback in 2020 when she joined the cast of the Packed to the Rafters reboot. However, she shocked fans when she pulled out at the last minute

Worrying: Just months after pulling out of Back to the Rafters, Jessica sparked concern when emergency crews were called to her home in Sydney's east for a welfare check in May 2020

Worrying: Just months after pulling out of Back to the Rafters, Jessica sparked concern when emergency crews were called to her home in Sydney’s east for a welfare check in May 2020

Jessica has had a difficult few years.

The mother of one, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was unable to attend the Logie Awards in July 2018 because she was receiving treatment for ‘urgent’ issues at The Health Clinic, a mental health facility in Bronte.

While in treatment, she attended daily counselling sessions and had access to nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists. 

Scare: She was walked to an ambulance where she was put on a gurney and taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick

Scare: She was walked to an ambulance where she was put on a gurney and taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick

Jessica reportedly followed a detox and inner health program, with inpatient programs averaging $25,000 for a month.

In September 2018, the South African-born star announced she was pulling out of Channel Nine show Bad Mothers a month before it was scheduled to begin filming.

‘Jessica has decided to step away from acting for the remainder of 2018 to focus on her health and spend time with her family,’ her manager said at the time. 

Recovery: Fortunately, she appeared happy and healthy several weeks later as she spent time with her Packed to the Rafters co-star Hugh Sheridan and other supportive friends

Recovery: Fortunately, she appeared happy and healthy several weeks later as she spent time with her Packed to the Rafters co-star Hugh Sheridan and other supportive friends  

Another tragedy: Months after her worrying episode at home, her mother Karen passed away

Another tragedy: Months after her worrying episode at home, her mother Karen passed away 

In July 2019, it was announced that Jessica would return to screens in Halifax: Retribution, a reboot of ’90s drama Halifax f.p., starring alongside Rebecca Gibney and Anthony LaPaglia.

However, two months later reports claimed she had pulled out of the series.

Then in February 2020, Jessica shocked fans by announcing she would be stepping away from the highly anticipated Back to the Rafters for ‘personal reasons’. 

Award-winner: Jessica is pictured posing with her trophy at the 2017 TV Week Logie Awards

Award-winner: Jessica is pictured posing with her trophy at the 2017 TV Week Logie Awards 

‘She thanks everyone involved on the show for their ongoing support and love, especially her Rafter’s family, and sends them her very best wishes for the production,’ a statement read. 

Just months after pulling out of Back to the Rafters, Jessica sparked concern when emergency crews were called to her home in Sydney’s east for a welfare check.

She was walked to an ambulance where she was put on a gurney and taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick.

Co-parents: Jessica shares a 10-year-old daughter, Scout (centre), with her ex-fiancé, Home and Away star James Stewart (left)

Co-parents: Jessica shares a 10-year-old daughter, Scout (centre), with her ex-fiancé, Home and Away star James Stewart (left)

A witness told Daily Mail Australia she was not wearing any shoes, her hair was a ‘dishevelled mess’ and she was in a ‘visibly distressed state’. 

Fortunately, she appeared happy and healthy several weeks later as she spent time with her Packed to the Rafters co-star Hugh Sheridan and other supportive friends. 

Months later, her mother Karen passed away.

Jessica shares a 10-year-old daughter, Scout, with her ex-fiancé, Home and Away star James Stewart.

If you or someone you know needs support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 

A timeline of Jessica Marais’ personal struggles 

1994: Watches her father, university dean Tony Marais, die of a heart attack at age nine 

2014: Speaks for the first time about her struggles with bipolar disorder in an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly 

2015: Jessica splits from partner James Stewart after six tumultuous years together  

June 2018: Pulls out of the Logie Awards because she is receiving treatment for ‘urgent’ issues at The Health Clinic, a mental health facility in Bronte

September 2018: Pulls out of Channel Nine show Bad Mothers a month before it is scheduled to begin filming 

2019: Pulls out of Halifax: Retribution, a reboot of ’90s drama Halifax f.p.

February 2020: Announces she’s stepping away from Back to the Rafters for ‘personal reasons’

May 2020: Sparks concern when emergency crews are called to her home in Sydney’s east for a welfare check 

August 2020: Jessica’s mother Karen passes away

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk