How to Master the First 30 Days in Your New Chef Role
In the hospitality industry, those seeking a new Chef role are focusing on finding the best salary, work/life balance, company culture, and growth opportunities. According to a survey shared in The Caterer, hospitality job searches in Google rose by 23% between 2021 and 2022 and that is expected to rise again.
If you’re going to step up your Chef career or looking to move for better working conditions, it’s important to think carefully about how you will make the right impression from day one.
The first 30 days in a new role can be both nerve-wracking and exciting experiences. There are new processes to get used to, new people to meet, and new expectations to live up to.
Knowing how to orient yourself in the first month in your new position not only improves your chances of impressing your boss, but it could also mean you start experiencing the full benefits of your new job much faster.
Step 1: Form Crucial Connections
Internal networking is one of the most important things you can do during your first 30 days of your new chef role. Getting to know the people you work with will improve your experience within your new hospitality business and make you feel more comfortable in your position.
Communicating with others is also a great way to capture the attention of your boss. During your first couple of weeks with, find out who you will be working with regularly. Commit some time to get to know each colleague.
It’s also worth finding out who you should be approaching if you have questions or concerns about your role. Discover when your contacts are most likely to be available, and determine how they prefer to communicate (E.g. in person, text etc)
Step 2: Learn as Much as You Can
During your first month with your new hospitality business, you’ll have a lot of learning to do. You’ll need to be familiar with where all the equipment is kept, the process of how orders come into the kitchen and any protocols you may need to follow that differ from a previous chef role. Take notes in your first few days.
Focus on expanding your knowledge in areas relevant to your role. For instance, asking for more information about the customers you will be serving or how the kitchen team discuss issues/ideas and updates. Read up on the documentation given to you during your onboarding session, and consider asking for extra training if necessary.
It’s also worth paying attention to your surroundings, so you can learn how to embed yourself into the company culture. Do they have any values they base their culture on? Showcase these in your work. If not, observe how they work with each other and mirror this. Ask yourself how people communicate and collaborate so you know what to expect when connecting with others.
Step 3: The Expectations of Your New Chef Role
Hopefully, during the hiring and onboarding process, your new hospitality company will have given you some insights into their expectations of you and how they will assess you on this. However, it may be helpful to confirm the expectations of your boss if you’re not sure.
Arrange for a one-on-one meeting with your boss if this has not been covered during the onboarding process. You can discuss exactly what they will be looking for when evaluating your work.
It might be helpful to arrange additional catch ups with your boss, bi-weekly or monthly, during the first stages of starting your new role. This will allow you to collect feedback and ensure you’re adhering to the expectations set for you.
Step 4: Find the Best Time to Ask Questions
When starting a new chef role, it’s tempting to ask many questions straight away. Asking questions is a great way to learn and show you’re investing in succeeding in your new position.
However, there’s a time, a place to ask, and a time when you need to listen.
Focus most of your time on what’s happening around you. If you have questions or need clarification, write down what you need to know. Prioritise the information you need first. Then put certain questions off until you have a chance to chat with your boss.
Step 5: Constantly Demonstrate Your Value
Once you know your expectations, you’ll clearly understand how to demonstrate your value. During the first 30 days of a new chef role, you have a unique opportunity to prove to your boss that they made the right choice when selecting you.
Start implementing strategies for quick wins based on what you know about how your work is evaluated. For instance, if you know your boss is particular about certain kitchen tasks ensure you adhere to these. If your boss wants a certain turnaround on service, ensure you keep them updated on how you are getting on.
Show your commitment to improving and growing by volunteering for extra shifts, asking to shadow if needed or requesting feedback.
The first 30 days in a new chef role can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it’s an excellent opportunity to learn, grow, and demonstrate your value.
Here at KSB Hospitality and Catering Recruitment Agency, we have been helping Chefs find new jobs for over 30 years. If you would like us to help you send your CV through our Registration Portal or call 0121 314 9365. We can also support you to create an outstanding CV. Alternatively, if you are a business looking for staff, we can also help.
