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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Cook delicious meals and provide excellent service in a vibrant café environment.
- Company: Join the Look Out Discovery Centre, a fun and engaging visitor attraction.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, career development, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that creates memorable experiences for visitors while honing your cooking skills.
- Qualifications: Level 2 Hygiene qualification and food preparation experience required.
- Other info: Work in a picturesque setting with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
Overview
We have a great opportunity for a Weekend Cook, on a part-time, permanent basis. The Look Out Discovery Centre is a popular visitor attraction with a hands-on science and discovery exhibition, gift shop, coffee shop and play area, set in 1,000 hectares of Crown Estate woodlands. Help us deliver a great experience to our customers, and you will experience a great place to work.
About you
Do you have a passion for cooking? You will be an enthusiastic and reliable person, with the ability and willingness to work flexibly to ensure the consistent provision of services in our cafe. We are looking for someone with a minimum of Level 2 Hygiene qualification and food preparation experience from a commercial setting.
About the team
The Woodlarks cafe team plays a key role in helping ensure our customers enjoy their day out at The Look Out Discovery Centre. We take pride in offering friendly, high-quality service while keeping our environment clean, safe and enjoyable for all. Open seven days a week, The Look Out Discovery Centre is dedicated to providing a fun and relaxing experience. As part of our team, you will play an important role in making each visit a memorable one.
Responsibilities
- Provide hot and cold food and drinks consistently, with a high degree of accuracy, whilst working under pressure.
- Provide a role-model for the Catering Assistants and the other Cooks, demonstrating the professional standards required of a commercial catering operation, by working at a high tempo, with clear focus and a problem solving, can-do approach.
- Take pride in the menu offer, contributing ideas to the continual improvement of catering services, working with the Catering Manager and Assistant Manager on the options for improved items and the more efficient delivery of the existing menu.
- Work carefully, to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and best industry practice, including Food Safety regulations, HACCP procedures, allergen regulations, and COSHH regulations, through monitoring process and procedures.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave increasing to 28 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days (pro rata for part time).
- Paid employee volunteering scheme.
- Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
- Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
- Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
- To work on the doorstep of the picturesque Swinley forest.
- The opportunity to engage with a variety of customers and deliver great customer care.
*pro rata for part time
Other information
Find out more about all our benefits or see the candidate pack.
Our values
At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable adjustments
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.
Interview date
Interviews will be held on Tuesday, 23rd September. Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.
Application note
We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible. Please note AI is prohibited during the interview; any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.
Questions
Want to ask us a question? For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:
Mike Carne, Catering Manager: 01344 354077
Eligibility
Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK. Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis. No agencies please.
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Weekend Cook employer: Bracknell Forest Council
Contact Detail:
Bracknell Forest Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Weekend Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Look Out Discovery Centre! Familiarise yourself with their menu and the vibe of the cafe. This way, when you walk in for your interview, you can show off your passion for cooking and how you can contribute to their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills under pressure! Since the role involves providing food consistently while working at a high tempo, try cooking meals for friends or family in a busy environment. This will help you demonstrate your ability to handle the heat during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Bring your ideas to the table! Think about how you can contribute to the menu and improve catering services. During your interview, share your thoughts on potential new dishes or ways to enhance customer experience – it shows you're proactive and invested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, if you have any questions, reach out to Mike Carne, the Catering Manager, for an informal chat before applying. We’re here to help you land that job!
We think you need these skills to ace Weekend Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share any experiences or moments that sparked your passion in the kitchen. We want to see that enthusiasm!
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to mention your food preparation experience and any relevant qualifications, like your Level 2 Hygiene certificate. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so show us what you’ve got!
Be Yourself: Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. We value authenticity and want to know what makes you unique. A bit of humour or a personal touch can go a long way!
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us quickly, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we see your application as soon as possible. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bracknell Forest Council
✨Show Your Passion for Cooking
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you love to prepare and any creative ideas you have for menu improvements. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the café's offerings.
✨Highlight Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your food preparation experience in a commercial setting. Mention any relevant qualifications, like your Level 2 Hygiene certification, and provide examples of how you've maintained high standards in food safety and quality in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since you'll be part of a team, it's important to show that you can work well with others. Talk about your experiences collaborating with colleagues, especially in high-pressure situations, and how you contribute to a positive working environment.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. Think of scenarios where you had to think on your feet in the kitchen and be prepared to explain how you handled them. This will showcase your ability to thrive in a busy café setting.
