Job Summary
The Butcher is responsible for preparing, cutting, trimming, portioning, and storing various types of meat, poultry, and seafood in accordance with hotel standards. The role ensures high-quality food preparation, proper hygiene, food safety compliance, and effective inventory control while minimizing waste and maintaining kitchen efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
1. Meat Preparation & Production
- Prepare, cut, debone, trim, and portion meat, poultry, and seafood according to established recipes and hotel standards.
- Ensure all meat products meet the required quality, freshness, and presentation standards.
- Prepare meat portions according to daily operational requirements, banquet functions, and restaurant demands.
- Maintain consistency in portion sizes to support food cost control.
- Coordinate with the Executive Chef and Sous Chef regarding daily production requirements.
2. Food Safety & Hygiene
- Follow HACCP standards and hotel food safety policies.
- Ensure proper handling, labeling, dating, and storage of all meat products.
- Maintain appropriate refrigeration and freezer temperatures.
- Prevent cross-contamination by following proper sanitation procedures.
- Ensure all equipment, knives, cutting boards, and working areas are cleaned and sanitized regularly.
- Comply with local municipality regulations and hotel hygiene standards.
3. Inventory & Cost Control
- Monitor meat inventory and report shortages to the Sous Chef.
- Apply FIFO (First In, First Out) principles to minimize food waste.
- Inspect incoming meat deliveries for freshness, quality, and correct quantities.
- Ensure proper utilization of meat products to reduce unnecessary wastage.
- Support the kitchen team in maintaining food costs within the approved budget.
4. Equipment & Workplace Safety
- Operate butchery equipment safely, including meat slicers, grinders, knives, and cutting machines.
- Maintain all tools and equipment in good working condition.
- Report equipment damage or maintenance requirements immediately.
- Follow occupational health and safety procedures.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe butchery working environment.
5. Teamwork & Operational Support
- Coordinate with other kitchen sections to ensure smooth daily operations.
- Support banquet preparation and special events when required.
- Assist the Executive Chef with special meat preparation requests.
- Participate in departmental training and food safety programs.
- Perform other duties assigned by the Executive Chef or Sous Chef.
Qualifications & Experience
- Culinary certification or relevant vocational training is preferred.
- Minimum 2 years of experience as a Butcher, preferably within a hotel or hospitality environment.
- Strong knowledge of meat cuts, deboning, trimming, and portion control.
- Knowledge of HACCP and food safety standards.
- Experience operating professional butchery equipment.
- Basic English communication skills.
- Ability to work flexible shifts, including weekends and public holidays.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Excellent knife-handling and meat preparation skills.
- Strong attention to detail and quality.
- Good understanding of food hygiene and sanitation.
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure.
- Effective time management and organizational skills.
- Teamwork and communication.
- Knowledge of food cost control and waste reduction.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
- Consistency in meat quality and portion sizes.
- Reduction of meat wastage.
- Effective inventory rotation and storage.
- Timely completion of daily production requirements.
- Cleanliness and maintenance of the butchery section.
General Responsibilities
- Demonstrate the hotel's service standards and IHG values.
- Comply with all hotel policies and procedures.
- Maintain professional grooming and personal hygiene standards.
- Support the hotel in achieving operational excellence and guest satisfaction.
- Carry out any additional duties reasonably assigned by management.