Pedros, one of South Africa’s fastest-growing food brands, is looking for dedicated, hardworking, and enthusiastic individuals to join its Back-of-House (BOH) team as Kitchen Preppers / Food Preparers. This role is ideal for candidates who are passionate about the food industry, committed to maintaining exceptional hygiene standards, and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced kitchen environment. If you enjoy preparing high-quality meals, working behind the scenes, and contributing to smooth kitchen operations, then this opportunity is perfect for you.

Purpose of the Role

The main purpose of the Kitchen Prepper position is to ensure that all meals are prepared, cooked, portioned, and plated strictly according to the Pedros Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Pedros holds a strong reputation for quality, consistency, and speed of service, and the BOH team plays a critical role in maintaining those standards. As a Kitchen Prepper, you will support the kitchen team by preparing ingredients, handling food safely, following recipes accurately, and ensuring that every customer receives a meal that meets Pedro’s high expectations.

This role demands excellent attention to detail, discipline, and the ability to follow procedures carefully. You will be entrusted with ensuring that the kitchen runs efficiently, that food safety protocols are always followed, and that the Pedros brand promise is upheld with every plate served.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a Kitchen Prepper at Pedros, your daily responsibilities will include a variety of critical kitchen tasks. Each duty contributes to the overall success of the store and the satisfaction of customers.

1. Reading and Understanding Orders Correctly

You must be able to read and interpret customer orders quickly and accurately. Whether using kitchen display systems (KDS) or printed order tickets, your ability to understand instructions and prepare meals accordingly ensures that customers receive the right orders every time. This helps maintain efficiency and prevents delays or order mistakes.

2. Maintaining Speed of Service

Fast and efficient service is a key part of the Pedros experience. You will be expected to prepare food promptly without compromising quality or safety. Staying organised, managing your workstation effectively, and working well under pressure will help you meet service-time targets, especially during peak hours.

3. Maintaining Food Safety Standards According to SOP

Pedros follows strict Food Safety and HACCP guidelines to protect customers and ensure compliance with national regulations. As a Kitchen Prepper, you are responsible for handling all food products in line with these standards. This includes proper handwashing, using sanitised equipment, avoiding cross-contamination, storing ingredients safely, monitoring temperatures, and ensuring that all food preparation areas meet hygiene requirements.

4. Maintaining BOH Hygiene and Cleanliness

A clean kitchen is a safe and efficient kitchen. You will help maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of all Back-of-House areas, including prep stations, equipment, chopping boards, utensils, and storage areas. Cleaning schedules and SOPs must be followed strictly. Regular sanitising, deep cleaning, and maintaining personal hygiene are essential parts of the job.

5. Ensuring Accuracy of Orders Prepared

Providing the correct order to customers is essential for excellent service. Accuracy includes preparing meals with the correct ingredients, portion sizes, spice levels, and cooking methods as listed in the SOP. Paying attention to detail and staying focused during busy times will help deliver consistently high-quality meals with minimal errors.

6. Maintaining BOH Stock According to SOP

Stock management plays a vital role in ensuring smooth kitchen operations. You will help monitor ingredient levels, rotate stock, prevent wastage, and ensure that products are stored properly according to FIFO (First In, First Out) principles. Assisting with daily stock checks, receiving deliveries, and reporting low stock levels ensures that the kitchen always has a sufficient supply of essential items.

Requirements

To be successful in this role, Pedros requires candidates who meet the following minimum criteria:

1. Customer Service Orientation

Although this role is primarily behind the scenes, customer service remains a top priority. A positive attitude, ability to work well with teammates, and commitment to delivering excellent meals are essential.

2. Strong Verbal Communication Skills

Clear communication is necessary in a busy kitchen. You should be able to communicate effectively with supervisors, cooks, and fellow staff members to maintain smooth workflow and avoid errors.

3. Educational Qualifications

• National Senior Certificate (preferred)
• Senior Certificate (required)
  These qualifications help ensure that candidates have the literacy, numeracy, and comprehension skills needed to follow recipes, read instructions, and understand SOPs.

4. Well-Developed Numeracy and Literacy Skills

You must be able to measure ingredients accurately, portion meals correctly, read SOPs, and record certain information related to food safety and stock control.

5. Experience in a Similar Role

Pedros prefers candidates with:

• 6 months to 1 year of experience as a Kitchen Prepper or in a similar food preparation role.
  Experience in a fast-food environment will be an added advantage.

What Pedros Offers

Working at Pedros allows you to be part of a vibrant, growing brand. Team members enjoy supportive management, opportunities for training and development, and a fun, fast-paced work environment. Pedros values teamwork, respect, and a commitment to excellence.

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