Nov 2017

Dear Applicant

Re: Café Chef/Cook

Thank you for your interest in the above position with Polka Theatre.

In order to help you with your application, please find enclosed:

  • Background information on Polka Theatre
  • Job description, person specification and terms of employment
  • Application form and equal opportunities monitoring form

For further information on Polka and our current programme, visit our website

On the application form you will need to provide the names of two people who will act as referees for you, one of whom should be your present or most recent employer, indicating if we are able to contact this person prior to offering the successful candidate the job.

To apply pleasereturn the completed application form along with the equal opportunities monitoring form by email to or by post to Hilary O’Connor,Head of Operations and Front of House, Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB.

Application deadline: Friday 24th November 2017

Anticipated Start Date: Immediately

We regret we are unable to acknowledge receipt of applications. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful.

Thank you for your interest in working for Polka and we look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Hilary O’Connor

Head of Operations and Front of House

Background Information on Polka Theatre

Polka Theatre is one of the few venues in the UK which is dedicated to producing and presenting work for young audiences. Since the doors opened in 1979, Polka has been entertaining children with resonant, engaging and exciting theatre.

With two performance spaces providing work for children from 0 to 14 years and a Creative Learning studio for participatory activities, Polka attracts annual visitors of 100,000 children, parents and teachers.

The company is committed to creating theatre for children and young people which is challenging, relevant and of the highest quality. Polka presents its work in a theatre environment designed specifically to meet the needs of children and capable of providing a rich theatrical experience across a range of productions: from the multi-space, installation–style approach of WishWash, to fantastic world premieres of new plays for children like Run! A Sports Day Musical; inventive shows for pre-school age children such as Archaeology A Worm’s Storyand adaptations of well-loved stories like Charlotte’s Web and The Ugly Duckling.

As well as being internationally renowned as a pioneer of theatre for children, Polka is a much-loved local theatre and a vibrant part of local life in Wimbledon and South West London. The venue offers a range of additional facilities for visitors including a café, garden, playground, foyer displays, colouring and reading corner and dressing-up box. The company has strong links with schools, libraries, businesses and other voluntary organisations in the community and a broad Creative Learning and Community Engagement programme.

Polka tours work internationally and regularly co-produces and collaborates with other companies; recent examples include The Paper Dolls with Little Angel Theatre; How To Hide A Lion with Oxford Playhouse; Babe, The Sheep Pig with Tom O’Connell Productions; Hatch with The Royal Opera and To Dream Again with Clwyd Theatr in Wales.

APPLICATION GUIDANCE NOTES

Job Description and Person Specification

Please read the person specification and job description carefully. You should ensure that you meet all the essential criteria before submitting an application.

The supporting statement is an important part of the application as it is your opportunity to explain specifically why you want the job and what makes you a suitable candidate.

It is important that you provide us with clear examples which demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills and experience required for the job.

Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and will be carried out by at least two people. When shortlisting we will be making an assessment of how closely your application meets the selection criteria set out in the person specification.

Data Protection

The information given on the application form will be used to create a shortlist for interviews. Any data about you will be held securely with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your application in the recruitment process.

The application form will be kept on file for a maximum of six months and then destroyed. Any applications received after the closing date will be discarded immediately.

Should any job opportunities arise in the future for which we think you may be suitable, we may send you application details about the vacancy. In addition, we may contact you in the future for feedback on our recruitment procedures.

Equal Opportunities

Polka Theatre strives to be an Equal Opportunities employer. The aim of our policy is to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, class, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, marital status, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, trade union activity, political or religious belief. Selection criteria and procedures will be kept under review to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. All employees are required to comply with, and actively promote, this policy.

Please let us know if you require special arrangements for interview, contact Hilary O’Connor on 020 8545 8334 or email: so that suitable alternatives can be discussed.

Job Description

POSTCafe Chef/Cook

RESPONSIBLE TOCafé Manager

JOB PURPOSETo manage and carry out all food production for the Polka Café and to help devise new methods of cooking and new menu items.

MAIN ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

  • Plan and undertake all food production and preparation for the Café – including making cakes, soups, preparing hot food and sandwiches and other items as agreed
  • In conjunction with the Café Manager, to plan and carry out food production for Polka’s functions, events and children’s birthday parties (when required)
  • In conjunction with the Café Manager, plan and offer a creative menu to compete with other local restaurants
  • Share ideas with the Café Manager to help improve the food offering and develop seasonal and exciting menu ideas
  • Create speciality dishes and counter displays specifically themed to Polka Theatre’s shows
  • In conjunction with the Café Manager, to develop a group of suppliers that meet the café needs and manage the ordering process to ensure the kitchen is never out of stock of key items
  • Promote high levels of cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen at all times and ensure the maintenance of equipment and machinery
  • Carry out all checks and systems for cleaning the kitchen to meet environmental standards
  • Attend meetings as required
  • Be a positive role model for all Polka staff, particularly the FOH/Café teams by upholding all Polka policies and customer service standards
  • To represent the company with diplomacy, discretion and courtesy at all times
  • To comply with all company policies and undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager or senior management
  • A flexible approach is required for this role, as additional duties commensurate with the role may occur from time to time

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential:

  • Previous experience in the catering and hospitality sector, including menu setting and food preparation
  • Interest in food and understanding of food preparation and presentation
  • Excellent knowledge of stock control and wastage
  • Ability to serve customers and children and accommodate the menu accordingly
  • Experience of achieving results and making a positivedifference to customer experience
  • Organised, calm and tactful approach with the ability to work well under pressure, independently problem-solve, quickly and efficiently
  • Excellent written and spoken English with a strong ability to deal appropriately with a wide variety of people in a confident and friendly manner
  • Competent IT, numeracy and literacy skills
  • Willingness to work unsociable hours including weekends
  • Demonstrable interest and enthusiasm for working with children within a creative environment

Desirable

  • Food Hygiene or Food Handling qualification
  • A working knowledge of Health and Safety
  • Emergency First Aid and/or Health and Safety qualification
  • Qualification in hospitality/catering
  • Personal Licence Holder
  • Experience of working with children and or families
  • Knowledge of the local area

PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Salary:£18,720per annum (Pro rata)

  • Contract: This is a fixed term contract for ten months (Nov 17-Aug 18) with a possible extension of an additional 6 months thereafter, subject to a 3-month probationary period
  • Working Week: Wednesday-Sunday 09:00-15:00, occasional later shifts and some flexibility on the working week will be required from time to time.
  • Dress Code:a uniform shirt will be supplied, to be maintained by the employee
  • Smart black trousers/skirt and black shoes to be supplied by the employee
  • Holiday:21 days a year, including statutory holidays. Due to our annual operational cycle we require that up to 3 weeks annual leave is taken during our dark period late August to late September.

Application Form – Café Chef/Cook (part-time – 30 hrs per week)

Personal details:

Family name: (in block capitals) / Forenames:
Address: / Postcode:
Contact numbers:
Mobile:
Landline: / Email address:

Eligibility to work in the UK:

Do you require a work permit to work in the UK? Yes/No / If yes, please give details:

Most Recent Employment (paid or unpaid):

Name and address of employer:
Job title: / Dates employed:
Current or final salary: / Period of notice required:
Reason for leaving:
Please give a brief outline of your main responsibilities (continue on additional sheet if required)

Previous Employment (paid or unpaid)

Please list all previous employers. Continue on an additional sheet if necessary.

Dates / Name and address of employer / Job title and main responsibilities / Reason for leaving

Education, Training and Membership of Professional Bodies

Please give details of all qualifications obtained and those currently being pursued

Dates / School, University, College etc / Course and qualifications obtained

Please provide details of any work-related training you have undertaken

Dates / Course title / Subjects covered

Please provide details of membership of professional bodies

Supporting Statement

Please include in your statement:

  • why you are applying for this job
  • how your personal and work experience, education and training enable you to satisfy the requirements of the job as set out in the person specification.

(Please feel free to extend onto a second page, if necessary, or attach a typed supporting statement)

References

Please give the name and address of two referees who can provide an employment reference to cover the last three years of employment or education. One of these should be your current or most recent employer.

Referee 1 (current or most recent employer)
Name: / Referee 2 (previous employer or other)
Name:
Address: / Address:
Email address: / Email address:
Contact telephone number: / Contact telephone number:
May the reference be sought now?
Yes / No / May the reference be sought now?
Yes / No

Declaration

I confirm that the details given on this application form are, to the best of my knowledge, true and accurate.

If you give any information which you know is false, or you withhold any relevant information, this may lead to your application being rejected, or at a later date, if you have already been appointed, to your dismissal.

I understand that the information given on this form may be used for registration purposes under the Data Protection Act. Unsuccessful applications will be destroyed after 6 months.

Signature: Date:

Polka Theatre

240 Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB

+44 (0)20 8543 4888