Casual Chef

We are looking for a dynamic, responsible and professional individual to join our team of catering staff. 

The role is a casual role to cover busy periods, annual leave and sickness. You will have previous catering experience and be able and willing to contribute to all aspects of food preparation as required to meet the needs of the business. 

You will work within an efficient and effective team, enabling the provision of residential music courses, concerts and other events, also bed and breakfast accommodation, at our delightful tranquil campus within easy reach of Hitchin town centre and station. 

Place of work: Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin. Herts. SG4 9RB 

Reporting to: Head Chef, Hospitality Operations Manager 

Main Purposes: 

• Deliver a great guest experience at every stage of our customer journey.
• Provide appropriate support to colleagues throughout the campus whilst ensuring exceptional customer service to guests and visitors.
• Maintain, advise on and follow all security, Food Safety, Health and Safety and other relevant policies and procedures. 

Duties 

• Prepare, cook, and garnish food for service to guests during courses, meetings, and other functions, taking account of any special dietary requirements on medical & moral grounds.
• Maintain good working practices, in keeping with the Trust’s policies and procedures, and regulations such as COSHH, and Health and Safety legislation.
• Help control and rotate all kitchen stock (except alcohol), ensuring that products are in-date and correctly stored.
• Check food deliveries against orders and delivery notes, ensuring that goods are temperature-checked, if necessary, and in good condition.
• Take accurate fridge and freezer temperatures on a daily basis and to record them as required by SFBB in the diary.
• Ensure that the kitchen area/equipment is kept clean and safe.
• Liaise with staff working in the kitchen area and on dining room service.
• Undertake such other duties as may reasonably be required in keeping with the nature of the post. 

Key relationships 

• Head Chef, Kitchen Team, House team members, Assistant Housekeeping Manager, Duty Managers, suppliers, guests; colleagues throughout the campus. 

General 

• Maintain positive relationships with all colleagues, clients, tutors, staff and other visitors if encountered.
• This role will require flexibility, including evening and weekend work.
• Appropriate clothing should be worn at all times on the premises.
• Shifts are allocated in advance according to the need of the business, you may be called upon at short notice to cover sickness absence. 

Essential Qualities 

• Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering
• City and Guilds Catering 706/1 and 706/2 or equivalent qualifications/experience.
• Previous experience as a chef working in events or hospitality.
• Keen interest in people, good sense of humour, the confidence to interact with others from a range of backgrounds and ages.
• Punctual, reliable, hard-working.
• Able to work successfully alongside others as part of a team.
• Positive work ethic and genuine enthusiasm for providing excellent customer service.
• Hands-on attitude.
• The right to live and work in the UK. 

Desirable 

• Pastry and cake making skills.
• Own transport.
• Experience with vegetarian and vegan cooking. 

Applications:  

Please e-mail a CV and covering letter to Ria Humphrey, HR Administrator, ria.humphrey@benslowmusic.org. For an informal discussion about the role,please contact Jumoke Coxon 01462 342089. 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon Monday 23rd February. Please note that this application may close sooner if a suitable candidate is found.