Cook/catering Assistant

**Job Purpose**:
To assist the School’s Catering Department with the operational efficiency of the catering service; preparation and presentation of food and beverages to the required standard. Maintain the highest standards of hygiene, specific dietary requirements and allergens as well as health and safety.

The school caters for approximately 250 pupils and 60 staff on a daily basis. Some of the pupils live on-site in the boarding department during the School terms. The catering operation can therefore be seven days a week during term time, as the catering team assist with the ordering and preparation of the boarding department’s breakfasts, teas and weekend meals.

**Hours of Work**:
The Catering Assistant’s position is for five days a week (Monday to Friday) from 6.45am to 3.00pm during term time to assist in the School kitchen. A degree of flexibility would be advantageous to be able to cover in the event of staff absences and also to be involved in supporting functions, sports fixtures, meetings, etc. both during the school day but also some evenings and weekends. There are also four INSET days at the beginning of each term which need to be worked by the whole team.

**Reports to**:
Catering Manager

**Holiday Entitlement**:
Statutory minimum holiday entitlement under the Working Time Regulations 1998, which are to be taken during the school holidays, including bank holidays.

Bank holidays occurring when the School is in session will be working days (May Day).

**Duties**:
Catering
- To assist in the performance of the whole school catering provision;
- To assist with the catering provision to deliver healthy, high quality food that meets nutritional and dietary standards, avoiding processed products with added oil, sugar or salt when possible;
- To assist with the preparation and presentation of all food to the required statutory regulations and to the school standards;
- To ensure that methods of preparation and presentation comply with current recognised catering standards and food safety legislation;
- Check and unpack deliveries and ensure all raw and cooked food is stored correctly;
- To ensure delivery notes are checked against orders and any discrepancies identified are reported;
- To help with the preparation and cooking of all meals to the recipe specifications and nutritional guidelines;
- To be aware of allergens and take part in appropriate training;
- To help provide, where appropriate, special diets;
- To help drive a customer focussed team to provide an effective and professional service, ensuring food presentation is attractive and pupils and staff are treated in a patient, polite and courteous manner;
- To assist with the prompt service of all meals and functions as required;
- To assist with the implementation of local promotions/theme days as required;
- To ensure any comments regarding the catering operation - positive or otherwise, are noted and reported where necessary;
- To assist with stock control and rotation of stock;
- To occasionally assist with the organisation of special functions which may be outside of normal working hours.

Communications:

- To support the Catering Manager and Deputy Manager;
- To communicate effectively with pupils of all ages, staff, parents and visitors to the School;
- To assist with monitoring satisfaction levels of the food provided on a regular basis;
- Participate in weekly team meetings/briefings with all other catering staff;
Health and Safety:

- To ensure compliance with agreed Health & Safety Policy and COSHH Regulations with regard to food equipment, materials and general safety;
- To ensure the safe operation of kitchen equipment at all times, reporting faulty equipment immediately, ensuring that unsafe equipment is taken out of use pending repair or replacement;
- To help ensure that all kitchen areas are clean and free from hazards and any accidents and near misses are reported immediately;
- To help ensure that the cleaning schedule is complied with and cleaning is carried out as required.

Other:

- To operate in line with the ethos, culture, overall aims and policies of the school;
- To actively contribute to development initiatives to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the service, including new ideas and food policies to support raising standards in school and aspects of viability
- To take all necessary steps to ensure security of all catering areas, kitchen supplies and equipment;
- To undertake routine checks of equipment and cleaning materials;
- To help promote the catering service;
- To help identify and recommend improvements and cost savings to the benefit of the customer and the School;
- The above duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holder may be required by the Director of Finance/Bursar to carry out appropriate duties within the context of the job, skills and grade.

General:

- To participate in the performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility for iden