You’ve just completed a round of interviews and you’re ready to welcome a new team member. How can you ensure they integrate and are set up for success? Having an onboarding process in place is essential to help your new hire take their first steps in your kitchen as they can learn what is expected of them, your ways of working and your team culture.
Whether they’re a new talent or a seasoned chef, a well-structured onboarding process is essential for minimising disruptions, fostering a positive work culture, and ensuring long-term retention.
Here’s a guide to effectively onboard a new member of staff in a professional kitchen.
The Complete Checklist for Onboarding Staff
1. Paperwork and admin
Before your new team member starts their first shift, they’ll need to complete the necessary paperwork. It might not be fun, but it’s a crucial step to being legally able to work in your establishment.
The following documents need to be completed before the onboarding can start:
- Employment contract,
- Copy of the employee’s ID document
- Emergency information
- Employee’s bank details
2. Work expectations
Next, it’s important to outline the responsibilities of their role and go through the different restaurant policies. This will also ensure they are clear on what is expected of them and the way your restaurant works. You should cover:
- Restaurant code of conduct: Which includes your business’ core values, company policies and where they fit as an employee.
- Working hours and shifts: Outline the general working hours per week that are expected, number of breaks, shift scheduling (whether it’s done online or printed) and how employees can request shift changes and time off.
- Uniform policy: Explain your uniform policies, dress code and any other rules around appearance, for example if piercings or make-up are allowed.
- Closing and opening shift procedures: Outline the key points of the opening and closing shifts, including cleaning, restocking and security policies.
Need help with your staff schedules? Check out our tips and advice on creating a healthy shift schedule for your team.
3. Hands-on Training
Once the paperwork and admin have been dealt with, you can proceed with a brief kitchen tour to familiarise them with the layout, storage areas, cold and dry storage, cooking stations, and cleaning areas. Show them where important tools and equipment are stored and explain the flow of service.
Afterwards, give them some hands-on training where they can familiarise themselves with the menu. Front-of-house employee training should include memorisation of menu items, review of allergens and ingredients and menu tasting. If your new team member is in the kitchen, they should learn to make the recipes, taste menu items to ensure consistency and learn about the allergens in each dish.
Start here with our Free Training at UFS Academy.
4. Mentorship
Setting up a mentorship relationship will help your new member of staff to feel supported during their first weeks in the new role. You can pair them with a buddy who can further train them on recipes and ways of working.
The mentorship can also continue beyond the onboarding period. Being able to shadow and learn from other team members will ensure long-term growth and skill sharing.
5. Communication
When the technical training has been completed, it’s essential to establish an open communication channel with them. Show them the best ways to raise concerns and provide feedback, encouraging them to speak up and reach out to supervisors and other members of staff when issues arise. You should also schedule regular wellbeing check-ins to discuss the general satisfaction with the role and the workplace.
You might also want to read: How to Improve Communication in the Kichen
6. Professional growth
Finally, you should set up a plan to enable professional growth and career progression. Discuss achievable goals and set up regular check-ins where you can monitor progress and provide feedback. This will make your new team member feel not only supported but valued.
The Bottom Line
A smooth and well-executed onboarding process can increase efficiency, improve morale, and reduce staff turnover, ultimately contributing to the long-term success of your business. If you need help creating your onboarding plan, download and print our New Employee Onboarding Checklist, designed to guide you through all the essential steps of a successful induction.
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