Assistant Cook at Calshot Activities Centre

job role l personal specification l Pay and Conditions l Working Rota

About Calshot
Calshot Activities Centre is one of the largest Outdoor Education Centres in Britain.
We have a reputation for excellence and professionalism, and operate to the highest safety standards.

We offer week and weekend residential (and day non-residential) courses in an unrivalled number of exciting water and landbased activities. Situated in an unique position on the shores of the Solent, our magnificent setting gives immediate access to the country's most popular watersports location. Ashore, historic hangars accommodate a state of the art climbing complex, the only indoor Velodrome in Southern England and a dry Ski Slope. Four residential blocks house a maximum of 200 residential customers on site.

Although part of Hampshire County Council, we are self funding and have built up our large customer base by providing outstanding customer service and excellent value for money.

Our Client Base
Our clients come from a diverse background. Schools in total provide just over half our business and over three quarter of our catering demand. Hampshire Schools are in the majority but we also host schools from the Channel Islands, Home Counties and Midlands.

Corporate and Conference events are a growing aspect of our work. Over recent years we have hosted skipper and crew selection for the BT Global challenge, UK Camel Trophy team selection, and corporate days for the Defence Procurement Agency, Kingfisher, Thompson Directories and Iceland Food. Buffets are usually provided by our in-house team.

Calshot has close links with National Governing Bodies for all the activities we teach. We deliver courses from novice to expert, including instructor training and assessment, to both individuals and groups. The Royal Yachting Association for example, run many instructor & trainer courses from Calshot because of our superb location and facilities; our catering has a legendary reputation for meeting healthy appetites and plays no small part in their decision.

The Staff
We have around 40 full time teaching staff in addition to 25 support services staff who provide us with food, accommodation, technical and admin support. This strong staff team enables Calshot to operate fifty weeks a year, seven days a week and is the Centre’s greatest resource.

What are we looking for?
An enthusiastic, motivated person with at least one years experience as an assistant cook, preferably producing at least 40-6 meals per session in outdoor activities, commercial or industrial settings. Intermediate Hygiene Certificate is desirable but not essential as full training will be given, this may include sponsored day release for further catering qualifications.

As with all catering which involves direct contact with customers, you will need not only cooking skills but good people skills. You will also need to be able to work, at times, under considerable pressure to deliver food to time and quality.

Is Calshot for you?

The job
You will be assisting the Duty Cook or Catering Supervisor with preparation, cooking and serving of up to 200 covers for breakfast, lunch or evening meals. On at least 9 weekends a year you will also be the Duty Cook in charge of the kitchen, catering for up to 60 covers per sitting and supported by up to 2 assistants. There will also be occasional additional catering for specialist functions in nearby buildings, giving an opportunity to expand your menu horizons.

You will be joining a highly experienced team catering for an ever changing but highly appreciative audience of all ages.

Pay and Conditions
Two week shift pattern averaging 31.41 hours week with 24 days holiday plus 8 Bank Holidays per year, pro rata.

Pay monthly in arrears, rising from £13,224 pro rata (£6.85 per hour) to £14,448 pro rata (£7.48 per hour), plus 50% for hours worked on Saturday or Sunday and 100% plus time off in lieu for the (rare) Bank Holiday worked.

Pay award pending from 1 April 2008.

Overtime paid at 150% (once 37 hours worked) is not guaranteed but typically available in the range of 5 – 15%.

HCC final salary pension scheme, sick pay scheme, uniform provided, free meals when on shift, free parking, discounted places on our courses, and/or possible day release for catering qualifications. For those with an interest in outdoor pursuits, there is also the opportunity to use our extensive range of equipment and facilities during your leisure time.

Assistant Cook Rota

Week 1	Day/s	Shift	Hours
	Monday	No shift	0
	Tuesday to Friday	0700-1400 (½ hr break)	26
Week 2
	Monday	0900-1930 (2 x ½ hr break)	9.5
	Tuesday to Friday	1400-1930 (½ hr break)	20
Week-end	Saturday (9 per annum)	0630-1930 (2 x ½ hr break)	12
Week-end	Sunday (9 per annum)	0630-1400 (½ hr break)	7

Average weekly hours = 55.5 divided by 2 =27.75
Weekend hours = 19 by 9 divided by 52.14 = 3.28

In addition 20 hours of weekend lunch cover November – February inclusive
i.e. 20 ? 52.14 = 0.38

Total average hours per week = 31.41

Further information
If you wish to know more about the job, phone the Catering Supervisor Lynn Waters or Customer Service Manager Peter Lowe on 023 8089 2077 for an informal chat.

For an application form please email, write or phone to:

Calshot Activities Centre,
Calshot Spit,
Fawley,
Hants
SO45 1BR
Tel 023 8089 2077

Email: calshot.ac@hants.co.uk

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