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Food Production Operative: job description, salary, training, and latest mission offers
Food production operatives are key players in the hospitality industry, undertaking a broad spectrum of tasks across various kitchen environments, including restaurants, fast food outlets, and hotel food & beverage (F&B) operations.
For more detailed information, review our food production operative job description, which covers salary ranges, training opportunities, and the latest mission offers from Brigad.
These operatives play a crucial role in supporting chefs and line cooks with tasks ranging from food preparation to plating dishes, maintaining cleanliness and order in busy kitchens, and assisting other kitchen staff with daily cooking, cleaning, and food prep responsibilities.
Let’s look closer at the job description, qualities, salary ranges, and career offers for Food Production Operatives in London and across the country.
What is a Food Production Operative ?
Food production operatives are responsible for supporting kitchen staff in busy kitchens in restaurants, fast-food, and hotel food & beverage (F&B) operations.
Food production operatives perform numerous functions in kitchens, such as food preparation, plating up dishes, basic hygiene, stock management, and supporting everyone in kitchens, from assistant cooks and line cooks up to head chefs.
What does a Food Production Operative do ?
Food production operatives perform a variety of useful tasks behind-the-scenes in busy catering, restaurant, and hotel kitchens. This could include everything from lifting boxes when supplies arrive so they go to the right kitchen team or crew members, food preparation, plating up dishes, ensuring plates and glasses are cleaned, maintaining hygiene standards, and supporting other kitchen team members and managers.
Food production operatives are also involved in lifting and carrying food supplies when delivered so that everything is stored where it needs to go.
What qualities define a Food Production Operative ?
Food production operatives need to have attention to detail, spatial awareness, able to lift, carry, and organise food deliveries, and be comfortable working in fast-paced kitchen and restaurant working environments.
Food production operatives need to be good team players, punctual, follow orders well, and be responsive to the needs of other staff they work with in kitchens, including assistant cooks, line cooks, chef de parties, kitchen porters, and sous chefs.
How to receive the latest offers for Food Production Operatives across London
If you're a Food Production Operative seeking short-term work and flexibility, follow these three simple steps to begin receiving mission proposals:
- Register as self-employed Food Production Operative before signing up for Brigad.
- Download the app and sign up in minutes; it's free, and there's no commitment required.
- Create and personalize your profile to start receiving mission proposals.
You're free to decide whether to accept or decline them.
How to Find a Food Production Operative with Brigad?
If you're a hospitality or catering business, including a restaurant or F&B operation, looking for a new food production operative, Brigad makes it easy, fast, and efficient to connect you with talented food production operatives and other catering professionals in London.
To find a qualified Food Production Operative using the Brigad app, 3 steps are sufficient:
- Create an account on the Brigad app or website (free registration and no commitment)
- Set up your missions in a few clicks specify the required skills, dress code, equipment, duration, payment method, and more.
- Submit your mission and let the algorithm handle the rest!
Once you set up a mission, it's sent to talents with the relevant skills in your area.
When a talent accepts, you'll be notified and can then connect with them directly.
All Food Production Operatives and other hospitality professionals undergo a strict vetting process to ensure the best match.
UK companies that are hiring Food Production Operative using Brigad app
Trusted by over 10,000 businesses to reinforce their teams, Brigad is widely used by both large groups and independent businesses in every sector of the hospitality industry.
The platform offers a connection with thousands of highly qualified, self-employed hospitality professionals such as Food Production Operative.
UK Food Production Operative salary ranges
UK food production operatives' salaries vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the type of establishment. In London and Birmingham and larger nationwide culinary businesses, food production operatives will earn more than in smaller operations.
On average, food production operatives can earn anywhere from £21,000 to £26,000.
How to become a Food Production Operative ?
A food production operative is an entry-level role in the hospitality and catering industry. You don’t need formal training or qualifications.
Any training is usually on the job. Once you’ve gained experience as a food production operative, then you could apply for and get training for other cooking roles, such as assistant chef, chef de partie, sous chef, head chef, or into more specialised roles, such as pastry chef or sushi chef.
When you’ve done that, and a position becomes available, either in your establishment or somewhere else, you can pursue an exciting new food production operative mission through Brigad.
How to become a self-employed Food Production Operative ?
To become a freelance Food Production Operative, follow these essential steps:
- Register as a Sole Trader with HMRC: This is a crucial first step, requiring minimal paperwork and enabling legal self-employment.
- Obtain a UTR Number from HMRC: Secure your Unique Taxpayer Reference number, necessary for tax purposes and identification as a sole trader.
- Meet Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you're eligible for self-employment in the UK, especially important for non-EU international students who may face restrictions.
- Manage Your Tax Affairs: Be responsible for submitting an annual self-assessment tax return based on your income and expenses.
- Maintain Accurate Financial Records: Keep detailed records of all your income and expenses for tax purposes.
- Understand Tax Obligations: Familiarize yourself with tax bands and VAT requirements as they apply to self-employed professionals.
As a self-employed Food production Operative, you have the opportunity to explore diverse working options. This includes the ability to combine freelance projects with long-term contracts, providing a varied and dynamic career path. You also enjoy significant work flexibility, allowing you to select your work schedule and locations that best align with your personal goals and preferences.
Additionally, it's important to stay informed by regularly consulting official government resources for any updates or new information related to self-employment.
Why choose the position of Food Production Operative ?
Working as a food production operative is a great way to progress in the hospitality and catering industry and benefit from experience that could help you get promoted into more senior cooking and chef or management roles if you want a long-term career in restaurants, bars, or hotels.
How to be a good Food Production Operative ?
The best way to demonstrate your skills as a food production operative that can lead to promotions and higher salaries or self-employed missions through Brigad is to perform well in your role as a food production operative, and then use this to further advance your career.
What are the working conditions for a Food Production Operative ?
Food production operatives' working conditions vary depending on the dining establishment or catering event. food production operatives often work long hours, sometimes from before a kitchen opens to after it closes, as long as 12-hour shifts.
Weekend work is often required as that’s when kitchens are usually busiest, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Unless you’re a food production operative in a fast food restaurant; in which case, the hours depend entirely on shift patterns.
Typical working hours of a Food Production Operative
Food production operatives' work often comes with long, irregular, and unsociable hours. Depending on shift patterns and the number of staff, you might work a shorter shift, or be present before a kitchen closes to when it opens.
If you’re looking for a change of pace, more flexibility, and a better work-life balance, then Brigad could be the answer you're looking for.
Brigad can connect you with missions that better suit your lifestyle and what you want to earn as an independent self-employed catering assistant.
What career progression is possible for a Food Production Operative ?
food production operatives with some experience behind them are perfectly positioned to move into more senior cooking and culinary positions, such as assistant chef, chef de partie, sous chef, head chef, or into more specialised roles, such as pastry chef or sushi chef in restaurants, pubs, and hotel food & beverage (F&B) operations.
Opportunities are endless at this point in your career, and Brigad could open doors that will help you take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of a Food Packing Operative ?
The role of a Food Packing Operative involves working in a food production or manufacturing environment to package food products for distribution and sale. Their responsibilities include operating packaging machinery, ensuring packaging materials meet quality standards, weighing and labeling products, and maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the packaging area. Food Packing Operatives play a vital role in ensuring that food products are properly packaged, labeled, and ready for distribution to consumers.