Kitchen Assistant

Reporting to: Head Cook
Accountable to: Mrs Lywood - Proprietor
Hours: 4 week rolling rota
Holiday Entitlement: 5.6 weeks per annum pro rata including bank holidays

Main Function

To assist in providing a high quality & professional catering service at The Dower House always putting residents’ needs first. To work effectively within a multi-departmental team to provide excellent service for our residents. To adhere to all current policies and legislation with regards to Food Hygiene and Health and Safety at Work.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Assist in preparation of all meals prepared within the kitchen as directed by Head Cook or main cook on duty.
• Assist with plating up meals as required ensuring a high standard of food presentation.
• Be aware of special dietary needs of individual residents paying strict attention to any reported allergies.
• Ensure the general hygiene and cleanliness of the kitchen areas are to a very high standard at all times.
• Ensure all food is kept in the correct environment/ temperature and used before ‘use by’ or ‘best before’ dates.
• Assist with the recording, monitoring and checking of all fridges, freezers and hot cupboards in accordance with legal requirements.
• Report any kitchen equipment malfunction to the Head Cook or Administrator in her absence as soon as possible so that Service engineers can be called promptly.
• Ensure food hygiene regulations, COSHH and Health & Safety regulations are adhered to at all times.
• When required, assist in checking all incoming deliveries concerning the kitchen as directed by Head Cook.

Day to Day Duties

• Preparation of breakfast in accordance with the individual resident choices.
• Preparation of vegetables of the day and peeling of vegetables for the following day dependant on daily menu.
• Bake a cake or biscuits for afternoon tea.
• Preparation of any special requests including fruit plates, sandwiches, extra lunches.
• Top up stock levels of breakfast cereals, beverages and other dry stores.
• Report any low levels of food stocks to Cook on duty to ensure we do not run out.
• Assist with preparation of soup of the day.
• Assist in preparation of supper as directed by Cook.

General

• Ensure communication lines are kept open between departments to ensure residents needs always come first.
• Cover duties for other cooks and kitchen staff as required.
• Report all incidents or accidents to Head Cook or most senior person on duty in her absence.
• Maintain an efficient use of supplies and encourage good housekeeping principles.
• Observe relevant costing procedures and ensure a maximum cost effective usage of all kitchen equipment and supplies.
• Assist with the teaching and induction of other members of staff as required.

Note: No job description can cover every issue which may arise within the post at various times and the post holder is expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with those in this document.

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope of duties and responsibilities. It is subject to regular review and amendment as necessary.