Kitchen Team Member

Equator Coffee Roasters is an Ontario-based, mission-driven coffee roasting company from the friendly town of Almonte, Ontario. We exist to connect the coffee drinker to the coffee farmer, from one family to another. We believe the world is a better place with better quality coffee that is sourced ethically and cared for organically. At Equator, coffee is more than just a beautiful beverage; it’s a way to change the world for the better. Our cafes serve as the “front line” of our company and brand - a place for customers to learn and enjoy our core values: service, quality, community. Our goal for the food side of our offerings is to provide excellent food made with local ingredients that complements our efforts to provide great coffee.

JOB SUMMARY

This Job will be based out of our new Kanata Centrum cafe - located inside the Indigo bookstore The primary responsibility of Kitchen Team Members is to prepare and deliver high quality products and exemplary customer service. This will ensure an incredible customer experience from the entry greeting as to all aspects of the physical space including presentation, and cleanliness. It is important to have a high standard while preparing any food for our customers. It is also important to have a high level of company and product knowledge in order to answer customer questions. They are responsible for acting in accordance with Equator Values and The Equator Way of operating on the café floor, as well as in the kitchen, at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The Kitchen Team Member’s responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Product Preparation and Delivery
- Speed and accuracy of order production taking pride in all the food you present
- Deliver consistent product under pressure and within acceptable time limits
- Ensure excellence of food presentation including mindful plating for all items served
- Any product not meeting standards of excellence should be re-made rather than presented as is
- Assist in food prep assignments during off peak periods as needed

Quality Control
- Assumes 100% responsibility for the quality of products offered
- Knows and complies consistently with our standard portion sizes
- Weigh, measure, mix and prep all items according to recipes
- Follows prescribed cooking methods
- Follows all kitchen rules, policies and procedures

Cleanliness

Maintaining all areas to health code and food safety standards throughout shift and at close, including:

- All areas of the kitchen, food prep and food storage areas are clean and sanitized
- Along with FOH staff, wash dishes and cooking equipment preventing backlog in sink area
- Clean floors as Required
- Sanitize countertops and cutting boards
- Present him/herself professionally. i.e. clean, appropriate attire, safe footwear and apron

Inventory Management and Maintenance
- Receive and store items according to food safety regulations.
- All items should be rotated according to FIFO (First In First Out) order in their storage locations, as well as all empty boxes properly flattened and brought out to the cardboard bin.
- Consistently returns ingredients and equipment to the proper location to make locating items efficient.
- Stock and maintain sufficient levels of food products to assure a smooth service period and assist with

Monitoring of inventory
- Report all damaged or faulty equipment to the kitchen manager

Communication and Administration
- Follow all Equator café staff communications procedures
- Responds professionally and promptly to all communications
- Excellent interpersonal skills - ability to get along and be a team player, being respectful of colleagues
- Reports all concerns in a timely manner to appropriate manager as required
- Follows operational policies and procedures from Employee Handbook

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and abilities required to perform this job.
- Safe Food Handling Certification
- Ability to learn quickly
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently, able to positively and comfortably handle and prioritise tasks
- Excellent organizational, time management and multitasking abilities
- Ability to handle high pressure situations
- Attention to detail

SPECIAL DEMANDS
- Follows all policies, procedures, ergonomic standards and safety requirements
- Other duties as required or requested by the job or management
- Ability to lift up to 50lbs on occasion
- Ability to stand for long periods of time as well as twist and bend as necessary

TIME EXPECTATIONS AND COMPENSATION
- Ability to work all shifts including weekends, evenings and public holidays as needed
- Shift times and length vary with staff member availability; plan to work for five to eight-hour shifts.
- Employees are expected to be dependable with their schedule - reliable, on time and consistent
- Equator team members will start at minimum wage unless joining the team with significant previous