Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1ED www. KITCHEN ASSISTANT THE ORCHARD THEATRE DARTFORD APPLICATION PACK Registered Office: Fifth Floor, 89 New Bond Street, London, W1S 1DA
THE ORCHARD THEATRE The Orchard Theatre was officially opened by His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent on Thursday 14 April 1983 and has since established itself as one of the South East s premier theatre venues. Designed to be flexible to enable it to stage everything from large West End musicals, to drama, orchestral concerts, comedy and hospitality and cabaret events using the flat floor configuration, the venue also included the first specially designed acoustic ceiling in Britain for music, drama and conferences. During the years The Orchard Theatre has welcomed some of the best entertainers including the iconic actor David Essex, English Tenor Alfie Boe, Joan Collins and comedy legends Lenny Henry, Ken Dodd and Norman Wisdom. The theatre also offers first class hospitality, including The Restaurant, which is becoming increasingly popular for pre show dining, where it offers a great ambiance, delicious food and a welcoming team. To celebrate the theatre s 30th anniversary in 2013, a number of events were organised to mark this very special occasion, including a star studded gala, a community show and a display highlighting the wonderful range of starstudded pantomimes hosted by the theatre over the years. The programme encompasses big West End musicals, plays, comedy and of course the annual pantomime is always the centre piece of the programme, attracting a big name cast. The Theatre is building a reputation for launching new productions prior to national tours or West End transfers with recent premieres including Derren Brown, Save the Last Dance, Boogie Nights and Bill Wyman. HQ Theatres & Hospitality is the UK s second largest regional theatre and concert hall operator. The current portfolio of 11 venues include: The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend; The Palace Theatre, Westcliff; G Live, Guildford; The Lyceum Theatre, Crewe; Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe; The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon; The Arts Centre, Swindon; The Beck Theatre, Hayes; The White Rock Theatre, Hastings; The Orchard Theatre, Dartford and The Colosseum, Watford. The company also operates an extensive range of hospitality and accommodation environments, including restaurants, cafés, bars, coffee shops and boutique hotel rooms. The company s freehold restaurants and accommodation businesses include the award-winning Copper Horse Restaurant and Cottages; The Mayfield Pub, Carvery and Rooms in Seamer and The Plough Pub, Restaurant & Rooms in Scalby, near Scarborough.
JOB DECSRPITION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION KITCHEN ASSISTANT Principal place of work: Reporting to: The Orchard Theatre: Purpose of the post: The Orchard Theatre, Dartford (OTD) Head Chef Under the management of HQ Theatres, OTD presents over 300 live performances each year providing first class entertainment and hospitality, and an exceptional experience for all audiences. A part time, casual position, as part of the kitchen team, working to maintain high standards of cleanliness and food hygiene whilst assisting with the preparation of food. THE POST The Kitchen Assistant will provide support to the Head Chef and team in the general running of the kitchen at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford. Service from the kitchen includes (but is not limited to) a 40 cover Restaurant, hot bar snacks, sandwiches, buffets, 250+ cover events and private functions. As part of the kitchen team, assistants will have many responsibilities relating to maintaining the current (Feb 2014) five-star EHO rating. This includes the general cleanliness of the kitchen and equipment, food hygiene standards and basic knowledge of working with food. Assistants will be required to undertake full training to ensure that they are able to perform all tasks to suitable standards. Primarily working back-of-house, in the kitchen area, assistants will work flexibly, as required, on an ad-hoc basis. This will require working during the evenings, weekends, and on Bank Holidays, as well as during weekday daytimes. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Adherence to all Orchard Theatre procedures and policies, including, but not limited to, food hygiene standards, uniform and personal cleanliness and conduct; Receiving and storing of deliveries, stock rotation, in line with procedures; Provide assistance with regular stock counts where required; Washing up of equipment/crockery/cutlery as required. Cleaning and tidying of all areas relating to the post. Involvement in deep-cleaning of said areas, as and when required;
The Orchard Theatre Basic food preparation as directed by the Head Chef. Including chopping/peeling etc. Cooking and plating up of dishes during service time, to the high standards of presentation required; Adherence to all Group and Theatre Health & Safety at Work procedures, to minimise the risk of injury and accidents, personal and to others. Other related duties as may from time to time be reasonably required by the Head Chef or Hospitality General Manager. This Job Description is current at the time of writing, but in consultation between Post Holder and Hospitality General Manager, may be subject to variation to reflect or anticipate changes to the job, so as to meet The Orchard Theatre s business needs. PERSON SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL Enthusiasm and passion for the preparation of fresh food; A can-do attitude; Experience in food preparation / working in kitchens; The ability to perform well as part of a team; Literacy, computer literacy and numeracy as appropriate to the requirements of the Post; Ability to respond flexibly to changing business needs and demands, and to work calmly and effectively under pressure; Ability and willingness to work not only during the weekday daytimes, but also, as required within the kitchen rota, in the evenings, at weekends, and on Bank Holidays; A good sense of humour.
HOURS OF WORK AND SALARY 6.50 per hour (NMW) This is a casual hours post, hours will include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
APPLICATIONS To apply, please email a copy of your curriculum vitae, accompanied by a letter which sets out clearly your interest in this post, and your view of your suitability for it, to: amlambert@ Alternatively, send your application to: Anna Marie Lambert Hospitality General Manager The Orchard Theatre Home Gardens Dartford DA1 1ED Closing date for applications: Friday 27th March 2015, 6pm.