Kitchen Apprentice

Mercury Theatre

ESSEX, CO1 1PT

Closes in 7 days (Friday 27 September)

Posted on 13 May 2024

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Contents

Summary

The Kitchen Apprentice will undertake the Production Chef Apprenticeship whilst being part of the team that delivers exceptional food in our all-day café’s casual dining offer. This includes a wide selection of cakes, pastries, snacks and meals, alongside a range of teas, coffees, soft drinks and alcohol.

Annual wage
£15,112.50 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£7 per hour for the first 6 months rising to £8.50 per hour until the end of the apprenticeship

Training course
Production chef (level 2)
Hours
Tuesday to Saturday with occasional Sunday openings. Shift patterns will include evenings finishing by 10pm.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 30 September

Duration

1 Year

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

The Kitchen Apprentice assists with food preparation and kitchen cleanliness to enable the kitchen to deliver catering for all events and activities across the Mercury’s programme, and to plan prepare, cook and present food to the highest standards.

Main Duties

  • Ensure all food is prepared, cooked and served to the highest standard under the direction of the Head Chef and Line Chef.
  • Follow menus to ensure adequate yield of foods and avoid waste.
  • Receive and store food deliveries properly.
  • Work with the hires team, and under the direction of the Head Chef and Line Chef, to provide excellent catering and buffet for conferencing and events.
  • Ability to apply portion control.
  • Maintain excellent standards of hygiene in kitchen at all times.
  • Maintain personal hygiene and ensure team members do the same.
  • Assist the Head Chef with the maintenance of all catering department stocks.

Health and Safety

  • Ensure Health and Safety and Food safety standards methods are adhered to by the department and report to management team as necessary on any issues identified.
  • Ensure risk assessments relevant to the kitchen are acted on.
  • Contribute to maintenance of a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
  • Maintain the hygiene of kitchen equipment and related areas.

General Duties

  • Manage time effectively meeting food preparation deadlines as directed by the Head Chef and Line Chef.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of the Mercury Theatre’s programme, including hire activities.
  • Undertake training as required.
  • Participate actively as a member of the Operations team.
  • Attend and contribute to staff meetings and training sessions.
  • Maintain positive and effective relationships with colleagues across the organisation.
  • Maximise income and minimise expenditure whilst ensuring high quality delivery.
  • Adhere to all Mercury Theatre policies included Safeguarding, Health and Safety, and environmental policies.
  • Undertake any further duties as may be reasonably requested.

Where you’ll work

BALKERNE GATE

COLCHESTER

ESSEX

CO1 1PT

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Your training course

Production chef (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents
  • Check, prepare, assemble, cook, regenerate, hold and present food meeting the needs of the customers and maintaining organisational standards and procedures.
  • Use kitchen tools and equipment correctly to produce consistently high quality dishes according to specifications.
  • Take responsibility for the cleanliness, organisation and smooth running of the work area.
  • Produce dishes to suit individuals’ specific dietary, religious and allergenic  needs as required.
  • Operate within all regulations, legislation and procedural requirements.
  • Complete and maintain documentation to meet current legislative guidelines.
  • Use effective methods of communication with all colleagues, managers and customers to promote a positive image of yourself and the organisation.
  • Work in a fair and empathetic manner to support team members while offering a quality provision.
  • Work to ensure customer expectations are met.
  • Work collaboratively to uphold the vision, values and objectives of the organisation.
  • Use technology appropriately.
  • Maintain quality and consistency in food production by using resources in line with organisations’ financial constraints, style, specifications and ethos.
  • Identify own learning style, personal development needs and opportunities and take action to meet those needs.
  • Use feedback positively to improve performance. 

    • Your training plan

    • The Apprentice will be working towards the Level 2 Production Chef Apprenticeship Standard.
    • College attendance will be at the Colchester Institute - Colchester Campus one day per week during term time.

    Requirements

    Essential qualifications

    GCSE or equivalent in:

    • maths and English (grade 9-3/A*-D)

    Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

    Skills

    • Communication skills
    • Attention to detail
    • Organisation skills
    • Customer care skills
    • Problem solving skills
    • Team working
    • Creative
    • Initiative
    • Non judgemental
    • Patience
    • Enthusiasm and cheerfulness
    • Good timekeeping
    • Reliable
    • Listening skills

    Other requirements

    Enthusiasm and cheerfulness are essential to gain the opportunity to join this friendly team. This post will involve evening and weekend work and include extensive training opportunities.

    About this company

    The Mercury is a great night out. We produce & present entertaining, thought provoking funny & lively theatre. We are a launchpad for talent & innovation. We have a 529 seat theatre, a 98 seat studio theatre, on-site workshop & wardrobe facilities, rehearsal rooms & creative learning studios and a fully renovated café bar and foyer. The Mercury is a significant local employer. We recently won Colchester Business Awards’ Business of the Year. We play a key leadership & strategic role in the cultural life in Essex & the wider area of East Anglia. It is the only full-time producing venue in Essex. Working at the Mercury you’ll be in a warm and friendly creative environment, We’re not just a theatre so alongside learning the ropes of working in the café bar you’ll be ushering shows, setting up events and conferences. As a member of the team, you’ll get 2 complimentary tickets to Mercury productions, access to a discounted staff food menu, discounts at the bar. You’ll also be able to access discounts to join some of our community activity classes. After 3 months you’ll be eligible to join the Mercury’s pension scheme.

    http://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk (opens in new tab)

    After this apprenticeship

    • On successful completion of this apprenticeship you’ll be equipped to work in a variety of customer hospitality roles including: café bars, restaurants and coffee shops. You’ll have a clear understanding of what food preparation and good customer service is and how it can be applied to hospitality, retail and event environments.

    Ask a question

    The contact for this apprenticeship is:

    COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

    Colchester Institute - Apprenticeship Team

    ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

    01206 712043

    The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000249860.

    Apply now

    Closes in 7 days (Friday 27 September)

    When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

    After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.