Cook Ringawera

Physical Requirements

Cooks need to:

• have a high level of personal hygiene
• have good hand-eye co-ordination as they handle sharp knives and other kitchen tools
• be reasonably fit as they spend long periods on their feet.

Useful Experience

Useful experience for cooks includes:

• restaurant work
• any work involving preparing food for others
• work in a catering or food business
• work in the aged care industry.

Personal Qualities

Cooks need to be:

• reliable
• quick and efficient, while still being careful
• adaptable and creative
• accurate, with a good eye for detail
• able to work well under pressure and in high-stress environments
• strong communicators
• able to work well in a team.

Skills

Cooks need to have:

• food preparation and cooking skills
• the ability to follow recipes and instructions
• knowledge of food hygiene, stock rotation and food storage methods
• an understanding of food allergens
• knowledge of how a commercial kitchen works.

Cooks who run their own business also need business skills.

Conditions

Cooks:

• may work long hours and shift work that includes early mornings, evenings and weekends
• work in commercial kitchens, takeaway shops, and kitchens in organisations
• work in environments that may be hot, noisy and stressful.