Education Authority Northern Ireland
Cook
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Cook
Job Title: Cook
Reports To: Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor Responsible To: Catering Manager (via appropriate Area Catering Manager)
Purpose of the Role
To assist the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor in all activities related to meal preparation and cooking. Successful collaboration is essential to provide an efficient, hygienic service, ensure customer satisfaction, and boost sales within the unit.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Skilled Cooking Activities
- Assist with all aspects of meal preparation, including:
- Menu planning
- Portion control
- Provision of special dietary meals
- Function catering (where applicable)
2. Support Roles
- Record keeping (e.g., stock records, inventory logs)
- Ensure hygiene, health, and safety compliance, including:
- Temperature recording
- Kitchen sanitation procedures
- Shared supervision of other staff members
3. Operational & Administrative Duties
- Take operational control of service points (including transported meals)
- Assist with:
- Meal planning
- Stock-taking & inventory organization (e.g., fridges, stores, delivery receipts)
- General kitchen management (in the absence of the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor)
- Shared supervision of staff
- Staff training
- (Where applicable) Cash handling
4. General Kitchen Responsibilities
- Wash-up and equipment/set-up/maintenance cleanliness (e.g., tables, dining room, kitchen fixtures)
- Assist in promoting the service to parents, principals, and customers (to increase meal uptake)
- Ensure premises security as required
- Follow delegated duties for service provision
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5. Compliance & Standards
All tasks must align with:
- Legislative requirements (Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments, Regulations)
- Codes of Practice All duties must be completed methodically and meticulously under standard operational conditions.
6. Additional Expectations
- Adhere to school values/ethos
- Extend to duties within the same grade (when appropriate)
- Contribute to continuous improvement
Please note: This description is fungible and may evolve with business needs.
Person Specification
The role must explicitly demonstrate how applicants meet the following essential and desirable criteria.
[Section 1]: Essential Qualifications & Experience
Must meet one of the following before shortlisting: ✔ Option (A):
- NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking
- City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2 (or equivalent qualification)
- Higher relevant qualification
✔ Option (B):
- 2 years’ experience in food preparation/cooking within a catering environment.
Assessment: Shortlisting via application form
[Section 1]: Knowledge Requirements (Essential)
📌 Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) knowledge. Assessment: Required on application form.
📌 Willingness to undertake job-specific training. Assessment: Declared via application material.
[Section 2]: Essential Skills & Values
These will be explored in interviews using the Education Authority’s Game Changing People Model.
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🔹 Communication & Engagement:
- Effective teamwork in catering environments
- Customer-focused service delivery
🔹 Personal Attributes:
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to organise, plan, and prioritize under pressure
🔹 Motivation:
- Commitment to excellence in food production and service standards
🔹 Aligned Values:
- Demonstrates Ethos/principles of the Education Authority.
Assessment: Detailed during interview proceedings.
[Section 3]: Desirable Qualifications & Competencies (Applied as needed at shortlisting)
Notes to applicants:
✔ Clearly justify how you meet criteria on your application. ✔ Failure to evidence fulfillment (even for desirable skills) may影响 shortlisting in competitive scenarios.
Disclosure of Criminal Background
Note for roles involving regulated activity (working with children):
- Under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, enhanced disclosure checks may apply.
- Applicants nominated for the post will be liable for the cost of this check.
Further inquiries: 🔗 NI Direct | [Department of Justice]
Benefits & Applicant Resources
📌 To review terms & conditions, click [here]. 📌 To explore benefits, click [here]. ✨ The Education Authority celebrates equal opportunity and is an employer of choice.
Contact application guidance notes here.
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