Starting a new Chef Job in an exciting opportunity for you to move forward in your career, alongside connecting with new people and to make a great new impression. This article will help you put the best foot forward in your new Chef Job, remember a sucessful start you must have an open mind and a drive to show the best version of yourself.
First week of starting your new Chef Job
To complete you first week successfully, it is really important to find a balance of being positive and not holding yourself to unrealistic
pressures a new working environment can present. The main goal of your first week is to understand and adjust to an unfamiliar working environment, so you can get to understand the order of service, prep methods, how to work as part of a new team and how the company operates. remember, by being introduced by a chef recruitment agency like Chefs for Chefs, you also have the resource of an experienced consultant that can support you through the first 3 months.
Start with Introductions
When starting a new chef job, it's important to communicate your enthusiasm for the new position. Try make time to make to give a quick and energetic introduction to other members of the team. When you are starting a senior role like a Head Chef role, introductions are very important, try to enlist other senior team members to make those new introductions with you.
Pay Attention to your surroundings
Working as a chef is linked with a potentially dangerous environment, so be mindful of when and where you make these introductions. Ensure that you are not disturbing other work areas or diners that are visiting the premises.
Ask Questions
When starting a new hospitality job, you have to ask questions, you dont know until you ask, so this is always a great practice to satrt out with. Some greta questions to ask are;
Expectations- Ask about what the business has as there expectations by employing you in your new role as a chef. Try to understand the key areas that are important to them.
Training & Support- What training do you need to undertake, this is great to identify things like equipment, processes, ordering systems and so on. If there is any training to be undertaken, push your new employer to give you a date when this training will be given.
Health & Safety Protocols- this seems basic in nature but it is so important to understand in your new Chef Job. Familiarise yourself with emergency procedures, fire exits, first aid kits and any safety equipment in the kitchen.
Hygiene practices- Understand the companies expectations when it comes to hygiene practices including, Hand washing, Food handling, tempreature controls, cleaning schedules and most importantly, record keeping. All of these things are vital to understand when you start your new Job as a chef.
Menu familiarisation- Review the menu offerings, including ingredients, preparation methods, portion sizes, and plating techniques, to ensure that temporary chefs understand the culinary vision and standards of the establishment.
Ingredient Quality and Sourcing- Understand where your source your ingredients, which suppliers. Ask for introductions to key suppliers so you can start building on your working relationships.
First Month in your new position as a chef
After one month in your new role, you really want to have a broad understanding of the kitchen and business operations. Now it's time to delve further into your role and start trying to improve the operation by contributing ideas and suggestions, just be careful to do this in a collaborative, professional manor, you are part of a team. The vital thing to do after one month is to determine the best way to use your skills and responsibilities to better the food operation.
Set realistic boundaries
During the first month of employment with a new company, finding compromises with your colleagues and managers is common. Sometimes you might stay later, come in early or take on additional assignments to complete a project. Eventually, you may need to adjust those boundaries so that you can complete your own work.
90 Days into your new job role
The primary focus within the first three months of starting a new chef job is to claim ownership, accountability and responsibility for your role. Use this time to prepare yourself so you can perform to your greatest potential. Consider the following for your first 90-day period:
Challenge your capabilities
One way to challenge your capabilities is to set goals that are ambitious and require extra effort. Even though these goals may be challenging, it's important that they are also obtainable and realistic. Do your best to achieve these goals by focusing your attention and efforts on duties that help you reach them. As you strive to accomplish your goals, remain positive and stay committed to the immediate tasks. Rather than pressuring yourself to complete everything at once, make time to take regular breaks so you can focus well on your responsibilities.
Request a 90-day evaluation
Many companies provide a 90-day evaluation for new employees to ensure they're progressing at a good pace. If your employer doesn't have a review process, initiate one by consulting with your manager or supervisor. This is important because it helps you monitor your own work accomplishments and responsibilities.
Conclusion
Starting a new chef job can be daunting, especially when you are making new relationships and integrating with a pre-existing team. With proper planning, clear expectations and good communication, you can ensure that starting your new chef job is a success. Working with a hospitality hiring agency like Chefs for Chefs, we can support you during your onboarding process as a candidate.
Checkout our latest vacancies here, if you cannot find what you are looking for contact us today on 01422 893 009 or email info@chefsforchefs.co.uk we are always looking for quality permanent candidates and Agency Chefs.
