Hire Food Preparation Workers
We don’t take the time to appreciate the preparation of our food as often as we should. How each ingredient was washed, chopped, steamed, measured, sliced, and cooked to perfection. Food preparation workers provide this valuable service to restaurants.
Hiring food preparation workers starts with writing an accurate job description. It is the first point of communication between candidates and your restaurant. It is best to write a job description that is clear, concise, and detailed. Are you looking for candidates who live near the restaurant? What is the schedule? Is prior restaurant experience required? Outline the responsibilities and requirements clearly. Include details about your restaurant’s culture, values, and history. How long has the restaurant been around? Does it specialize in a particular cuisine? These details will help candidates picture themselves working in your restaurant.
Aside from general job boards, it is prudent for hiring managers to post job announcements on industry-specific job boards, online groups, and community groups as well. Getting referrals from the restaurant employees themselves is an effective way to source candidates. Your staff may already know great people so let them know about the job posting!
Food Preparation Worker Responsibilities
As the job title implies, a food preparation worker is responsible for preparing various ingredients like meats, vegetables, fruits, and other food items. Washing, peeling, steaming, chopping, slicing, measuring, mixing – they do all these tasks and more. To support chefs and line cooks during peak times, a food preparation worker coordinates with the wait staff regarding customers. They may prepare the ingredients ahead of time to prevent any delays.
A food preparation worker ensures the proper labeling of ingredients and proper storage and rotation. Working under the chef’s supervision, a food preparation worker follows the planned schedule to retrieve ingredients from the storage room to the preparation area and monitors the items that are discarded or unused. The food preparation worker follows the instruction of the chef regarding any leftover or excess ingredients. Moreover, a food preparation worker cleans and disinfects food preparation tools and equipment before each use.
When feeling sick, a food preparation worker must not handle any food and only report to work once all symptoms have cleared. Lastly, a food preparation worker maintains good personal hygiene, regularly washes hands, and follows safety precautions at all times.
Food Preparation Worker Skills and Qualifications
Candidates must be knowledgeable about food health and safety regulations and work well in a fast-paced restaurant environment. Strong communication skills, the ability to adhere to proper food handling procedures, and ability to follow standard recipes are a must. Some culinary skills required are knife-handling and food measurement techniques.
A candidate may be required to have a license in food handling. Prior kitchen production experience in a restaurant setting is an advantage.
The candidate should be able to meet the physical demands of the job, being able to stand for long periods of time and lift supplies and other materials. Lastly, the ideal candidate also should be willing to work in shifts, on weekends, and on holidays.
Food preparation workers perform numerous tasks in the kitchen. They work closely with the rest of the kitchen staff to satisfy restaurant patrons, one delicious dish at a time.
