Kitchen Associate Review
at JD Wetherspoon
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Hospitality Management
Skegness, UK
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
4.9 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
General kitchen duties including cleaning, pot washing, setting up and dating both the pizza station and the salad station. Preparing and serving salads, burger buns, toast, fruit salad etc. Stock rotation and receiving deliveries. Learning about the cook line and producing plates of food to business standards according to the specifications laid down by the company.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoyed to programme and found it extremely helpful to keep my aging brain in active. I could so easily just let myself slip into a role where I don’t exercise my brain. I’m not confident working with people watching me as I have had a great deal of buying in the past. This course has given me the opportunity to stay healthy and do a job in a small team away from the busy area of the pub.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes I have learned how a Wetherspoons kitchen operates and how the team works together to reach high standards of hygiene and customer satisfaction. I have expanded my knowledge about policies and procedures in working practice. How to provide food to a high standard to comply with company specifications, quickly and efficiently.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
I find the programme easy to follow and well organised. There is an opportunity to stretch myself further by taking workshops and dig deeper activities. I still have the dig deeper activités to do this week before my course gateway. I plan to watch all the videos this week, one more time. This makes revision simple.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I feel that in my case, I’m a very independent learner so my manager has just had to sign off my work. The managers are now receiving kitchen of excellence training so that they can provide extra support for learners. All the kitchen staff have been supportive. They take part in constant online staff training to continue their professional development. Wetherspoons as an employer provides excellent training and support for staff.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I find my assessor to be completely amazing. Her knowledge is outstanding in all areas and she provides the best possible experience. Nothing is too much trouble for her. She goes above and beyond to help me with everything from IT to giving me snippets from her knowledge and experience as a manager.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that the knowledge I have gained has given me the confidence to to work independently in my role. My manager has now said I have earned my stripes and in a few months I can work on the cook line. I have had only a couple of sessions cooking on the cook line as I am quite a strong member of staff on pot washing etc. I have been told that in the winter I can go on the cook line.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
We have lots of online training activities. Staff do get together for social events. We all look forward to our Christmas present opening breakfast. This is provided by our pub manager. We are talking about a trip to Harry Potter studios for a few kitchen staff who are interested. They also have sports syndicates.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend JD Wetherspoon to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Both of my daughters work at Wetherspoons. I think it’s a great company to work for to gain solid skills in the industry. They staff feeding program is fantastic for staff in the cost of living crisis. If you are prepared to work hard you never go hungry ! First class ethic.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to JD Wetherspoon?
Be prepared to expand your knowledge, work hard and then you will find the company excellent all round.
