At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team as a Cook, preparing delicious meals and ensuring kitchen hygiene.
- Company: Be part of the Education Authority, dedicated to providing quality food services in schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a difference in students' lives while honing your culinary skills in a fun team setting.
- Qualifications: NVQ level 2 in food preparation or two years of relevant experience required.
- Other info: This role involves working with children, so an Enhanced Disclosure will be necessary.
REPORTS TO: Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor
RESPONSIBLE TO: Catering Manager through appropriate Area Catering Manager
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Shared supervision of staff
JOB PURPOSE
To assist the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor in all activities concerned with the preparation and cooking of meals. Team participation is essential to provide an efficient hygienic service, to achieve customer satisfaction and to promote sales within the unit.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Skilled cooking activities connected with the full range of meals (for example, assist with the preparation of menus, portion control, the provision of special dietary meals and function catering where appropriate).
- To assist with:
- Record keeping.
- Control of hygiene, health and safety in the kitchen including recording of temperatures.
- The direction and/or shared supervision of other employees.
- The planning of meals.
- Stock-taking, including the organisation of stores and fridges and receipt of deliveries.
- General kitchen management in the absence of the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor.
- Shared supervision of other employees.
- Training of staff.
- Cash handling duties where appropriate.
General Conditions:
- All duties must be carried out to comply with:
- Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements.
- Codes of Practice.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.
SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
- Qualifications and Experience
- Hold either (A) or (B): NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2 or equivalent or higher relevant qualification OR Two years’ experience of food preparation and cooking within a catering establishment.
- Knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
- willingness to undertake job related training.
SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.
- Skills/Abilities
- Ability to communicate and engage effectively with others as part of a team and with customers.
- Excellent interpersonal and team working skills.
- Effective organisational and planning skills and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Motivation towards providing excellent food and customer service.
- Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.
SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.
Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES
To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here. To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Cook (3 Posts) - North Belfast employer: Education Authority
Contact Detail:
Education Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook (3 Posts) - North Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with HACCP principles, as knowledge of food safety is crucial for this role. Consider taking a short online course or reading up on best practices to demonstrate your commitment to hygiene and safety during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your teamwork skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in a kitchen environment. Be ready to discuss specific situations where you contributed to a positive team dynamic or resolved conflicts.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the specific dietary needs and preferences of the community you’ll be serving. Being knowledgeable about special dietary requirements can set you apart and show that you're proactive about customer satisfaction.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your organisational skills by thinking of examples where you managed multiple tasks under pressure. Highlight any experience you have with meal planning or stock management to demonstrate your ability to keep a kitchen running smoothly.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook (3 Posts) - North Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Job Requirements: Carefully read the job description and person specification. Make sure you understand the essential and desirable criteria, as you'll need to demonstrate how you meet these in your application.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the role of a Cook. Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate your cooking skills, teamwork, and customer service abilities.
Demonstrate Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, such as NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or equivalent. If you have two years of experience in a catering establishment, make sure to detail this in your application.
Showcase Your Knowledge of HACCP: Mention your knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) in your application. This is an essential criterion, so provide examples of how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Education Authority
✨Showcase Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your cooking experience in detail. Highlight specific dishes you've prepared and any special dietary meals you've catered for. This will demonstrate your practical knowledge and ability to meet diverse customer needs.
✨Understand HACCP Principles
Since knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is essential, brush up on these principles before the interview. Be ready to explain how you ensure food safety and hygiene in the kitchen, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
The job requires effective communication and teamwork. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked in a team environment, especially under pressure. This will show that you can contribute positively to the kitchen dynamic.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer Service Orientation
Customer satisfaction is key in this role. Think of instances where you've gone above and beyond to ensure a great dining experience for customers. Sharing these stories will highlight your commitment to excellent service.