
- by Richard Barrett
Agency Chefs; How to induct them into your kitchen
- by Richard Barrett
Onboarding a new team member, even for a temporary role, is essential for maintaining high standards and seamless kitchen operations. Whether you're hiring through catering agencies or seeking DBS-checked chefs for care homes or schools, a well-structured induction process ensures that agency chefs and catering assistants understand your site-specific expectations from day one.
Below, we outline key steps for successfully inducting agency staff into your kitchen.
Every kitchen has unique practices for maintaining hygiene and safety. When onboarding an agency worker, communicate your specific protocols, including:
Managing allergens is non-negotiable, especially in care homes and schools, where vulnerable individuals might have severe food sensitivities. Ensure the agency chef or catering assistant understands:
A spotless kitchen is a safe kitchen. Brief your agency worker on your site’s clean-down process, including:
If the agency chef is involved in managing orders or stock, they need guidance on:
Record-keeping is vital for compliance with food safety regulations. Train the agency worker on:
Protecting everyone in the kitchen begins with a solid health and safety briefing. Cover these key points:
Agency workers need to know who to turn to for guidance. Introduce them to:
Whether the agency worker is preparing school lunches or meals for care home residents, clarity on service standards is critical. Communicate:
Every kitchen must have a fire safety protocol, and all staff should be aware of it. Ensure the agency worker knows:
Streamline your induction process by using an online checklist to track the information communicated to the agency worker. A tool like a Google Form not only ensures that all essential points are covered but also provides a record for compliance and accountability.
Need an induction checklist? Try ours here
For kitchens in care homes, schools, or catering events, hiring through catering agencies often involves bringing in skilled DBS chefs or catering assistants at short notice. A well-structured induction fosters confidence, minimises mistakes, and ensures the temporary team member aligns with your expectations.
By taking the time to induct agency workers properly, you maintain high standards of safety, hygiene, and service quality—no matter how short their tenure.
Whether you are chef looking to join our team or a client needing staff, click the button below to start your journey with Nightingale Chefs.
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