OR100256 – Cook – Early Years

1. To act as key holder, unlocking the nursery in the morning. Switching on all necessary equipment (water boiler, grill light oven, hot plate.) Dealing appropriately when issues arise

1. Preparing for, cooking lunch and preparing sacks within the centre taking account of dietary, cultural and religious needs. Responsibility for clearing away after meals.

1. Ordering produce, ensuring that there is sufficient to cover the number of meals
   required, but to ensure there is minimal waste. (Ensuring that food is consumed within sell by dates.)

1. Ensure that hygiene standards and safe practices are maintained at all times, including cleaning fridges freezers and cookers; washing large pots, cleaning work surfaces, ensuring that instructions for freezing food are followed; washing floors, shelves, walls, work surfaces

1. To account for any monies spent as required and monitor budgets.

1. Attending meetings with centre managers to discuss menus and allow time to plan meals on a weekly basis and to input into team meetings and undertake training as and when required.

1. To ensure that standards and working practices conform to Health & Safety legislation in this area of work.

Work Environment

Further flexibility is required in addressing ad hoc needs.   The kitchen is a busy environment to work in. It can be noisy and hot. It can also involve exposure to hazardous cleaning materials, throughout the working day. There is a need to be physically fit to carry out duties of the post (e.g. standing up throughout the working day, bending and carrying heavy pots and trays.

Potential hazards involve risk of burns, muscular / skeletal injuries and exposure to hazardous cleaning materials on a daily basis.

Work Dimensions

The jobholder is responsible for supervising the Kitchen Assistant and ensuring that a healthy and safe working environment is maintained.

The jobholder is responsible to the Head of Centre (or, his / her representative) who agrees menus on a weekly basis, and who is responsible for the management and development of the post holder.

Qualifications:

• Food Hygiene Certificate

Knowledge:

Essential:

• Knowledge of food hygiene
• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements
• Knowledge of emergency procedures and taking appropriate action

Skills and Behaviours:

Essential:

• Need to focus on dietary needs of customers.
• Working together and taking responsibility for the working environment, to ensure healthy and safe working practices.
• A proactive approach to budget management, whilst providing varied menus is required.
• The ability to work as part of a team.
• The ability to provide a catering service on a large scale.
• An understanding of stock control methods.
• A flexible approach in addressing the needs of young children.
• Demonstrate our Camden Ways of Working (WOW) behaviours: 

  – Focuses on customers (cares about customers and builds relationships)

– Works together (provides support and leads by example)

– Takes responsibility (makes decisions and achieves success)

– Finds better and cheaper ways of doing things (creates innovation and embraces change).

Desirable:

Relevant Experience: 

Essential:

• Experience of preparing and cooking meals for children and staff which reflects the multi-ethnic community.
• Experience of providing a high standard of hygiene.
• Experience of the day-to-day supervision of kitchen staff.
• Experience of working to strict budgets and catering deadlines.