What skills makes the perfect agency chef?
Being a Chef is typically a tough job, which only suits a certain type of person, where Chefs work long hours and in some cases receive a low rate of pay. However, many Chefs choose to work as an Agency Chef through a Hospitality Recruitment Agency such as The Chef Tree, so that they have more flexibility in choosing when they want to work, and also receive a higher rate of pay.
1. Reliable
If you want to stay on a Hospitality Recruitment Agencies good side then you must be reliable. This means that you always work the shifts that you say you can work, and don’t pull out of shifts last minute. Being unreliable could see you losing out on work being offered to you in the future. They will be offered to other Agency Chefs who are more reliable. The Chef Tree have lots of work to give you, it would be a shame for you to miss out.
2. Flexible
Sometimes plans will change. For example you could be booked in for a 10am – 7pm shift, but service ends up being busier than expected and the client asks if you can work an extra hour. You must be flexible and open to your working hours changing from time to time.
3.Positive Attitude
Agency Chefs are often used to fill in the gaps when Chefs are off sick or on holiday. This means that a lot of the time you will be chucked in the deep end when you arrive at the kitchen. It’s important to have a positive attitude, so you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, during a busy and stressful service!
4. Team-Player
There will be times when you will be the only Chef working in the kitchen- but a lot of the time you will be working alongside another Chef or 2. Good teamwork makes service easier, so it’s important that you are a good communicator and are respectful to others.
5. Timekeeping
If you turn up late to shifts that you have been booked in for, then clients will most likely request that you aren’t sent there again. Agency Chefs are there to help clients out of a rut, so you must have good timekeeping skills.
6. Honest
“Honesty is the best policy”- Agency Chefs who make up random excuses last minute in order to get out of working shifts will not be likely to be offered much work. If you aren’t able to work a shift then it’s important to tell us when you are offered the shift or give us lots of notice and tell the truth as to why you are unable to work the shift. It may be something we can help you with!
7. Professional
Being professional doesn’t cost a penny. Agency Chefs must be respectful to staff at the venue they are working at and dress to impress. Being professional could be the difference between a Chef being requested back for future shifts at a venue or not.
Need a perfect agency chef for your restaurant or event? We provide all levels of chefs across the whole of Bristol, Bath, Cotswolds, Wiltshire, North Somerset, and South Wales. Call us on 01179041001, email hello@thecheftree.co.uk or or visit our contact us page.
