Line Cooks / Kitchen Assistants

Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

We are looking for energetic, disciplined and team-oriented kitchen staff to join our growing quick-service restaurant.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience working in busy, structured restaurant environments such as KFC, Hungry Lion, Nando’s or similar franchise/quick-service restaurants, where following recipes, food safety procedures, portion controls and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is essential.

Team members may be trained across several kitchen stations depending on their ability and experience.

Responsibilities or duties

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Successful candidates will be expected to:

• Follow company recipes, SOPs and food preparation procedures accurately.
• Prepare food consistently according to specified portion sizes, cooking times and presentation standards.
• Operate grills, flat-top griddles, fryers and other commercial kitchen equipment safely.
• Prepare chicken, meat, vegetables, sauces and other ingredients for service.
• Bread and fry chicken products according to company procedures.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene and food safety standards.
• Follow stock rotation, labelling, storage and temperature-control procedures.
• Maintain a clean and organised workstation throughout the shift.
• Complete opening, restocking and closing duties.
• Work quickly and accurately during busy periods.
• Read and coordinate customer orders and kitchen tickets.
• Communicate effectively with other kitchen stations to ensure complete orders are prepared and dispatched together.
• Assist other team members when their station becomes busy.
• Minimise food wastage and follow portion-control standards.
• Report stock shortages, equipment problems or food-quality issues to management.
• Follow all workplace health, safety and hygiene requirements.
• Carry out reasonable kitchen duties assigned by supervisors or management.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should:

• Have completed education up to Grade 12.
• Be able to speak, read and understand English fluently.
• Hold a qualification, certificate or recognised training in Food Handling, Food Production, Catering, Hospitality or a related field.
• Be comfortable following strict recipes, procedures and SOPs.
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining quality and accuracy.
• Be physically capable of working on their feet for extended periods.
• Be willing to work evenings, weekends, public holidays and late closing shifts.
• Be reliable, punctual and disciplined.
• Be able to work effectively as part of a team.
• Be able to coordinate multiple customer orders during busy service periods.
• Ideally live near EastPark Mall or within a reasonable travelling distance and have reliable means of getting to work.

Experience needed

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

Preference may be given to applicants who have previously worked at structured quick-service or franchise restaurants such as:

KFC | Hungry Lion | Nando’s | Debonairs | Steers | Pizza Hut | Similar QSR/Restaurant Brands

Experience in any of the following areas will be an advantage:

• Commercial grilling
• Flat-top/griddle cooking
• Deep frying
• Chicken breading
• Chicken preparation
• Meat preparation
• Burger assembly / make-line operations
• Kitchen order coordination
• Stock preparation
• Food safety and hygiene

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

We are looking for people who are:

• Team orientated
• Hard-working
• Fast learners
• Honest and trustworthy
• Calm under pressure
• Organised
• Clean and hygiene conscious
• Able to accept instruction and correction
• Comfortable working according to systems and procedures
• Focused on consistency and quality
• Willing to learn multiple kitchen stations
• Interested in developing into senior kitchen or supervisory positions

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a full-time position in a busy quick-service restaurant.

Candidates must be prepared to work according to a restaurant rota which may include:

• Day shifts
• Evening shifts
• Weekends
• Public holidays
• Late closing shifts

Late-night transport will be provided for employees travelling to approved nearby areas, subject to the company's transport arrangements.

REMUNERATION & BENEFITS

We offer:

• Competitive salary within the restaurant/QSR industry, based on experience and ability.
• Staff lunch/meal provided while on duty.
• Late-night staff transport for approved nearby areas.
• Applicable statutory employment benefits and contributions, including NAPSA and NHIMA.
• On-the-job training.
• Cross-training across kitchen stations.
• Opportunities for promotion and career development.
• Potential progression into positions such as Senior Cook, Station Leader, Kitchen Coordinator, Shift Supervisor and Kitchen Supervisor/Manager.

We are looking for individuals who want to build a career with a growing restaurant business, not simply people looking for temporary work.

Only serious, reliable and suitably qualified applicants should apply.

Responsibilities

• Follow company recipes, SOPs and food preparation procedures accurately.
• Prepare food consistently according to specified portion sizes, cooking times and presentation standards.
• Operate grills, flat-top griddles, fryers and other commercial kitchen equipment safely.
• Prepare chicken, meat, vegetables, sauces and other ingredients for service.
• Bread and fry chicken products according to company procedures.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene and food safety standards.
• Follow stock rotation, labelling, storage and temperature-control procedures.
• Maintain a clean and organised workstation throughout the shift.
• Complete opening, restocking and closing duties.
• Work quickly and accurately during busy periods.
• Read and coordinate customer orders and kitchen tickets.
• Communicate effectively with other kitchen stations to ensure complete orders are prepared and dispatched together.
• Assist other team members when their station becomes busy.
• Minimise food wastage and follow portion-control standards.
• Report stock shortages, equipment problems or food-quality issues to management.
• Follow all workplace health, safety and hygiene requirements.
• Carry out reasonable kitchen duties assigned by supervisors or management.

Skills

• Commercial grilling
• Flat-top/griddle cooking
• Deep frying
• Chicken breading
• Chicken preparation
• Meat preparation
• Burger assembly / make-line operations
• Kitchen order coordination
• Stock preparation
• Food safety and hygiene
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to maintain quality and accuracy
• Physical capability to work on feet for extended periods
• Reliability, punctuality, and discipline
• Teamwork
• Coordination of multiple customer orders
• Ability to follow strict recipes, procedures and SOPs
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Organizational skills
• Cleanliness and hygiene consciousness
• Ability to accept instruction and correction
• Comfort working according to systems and procedures
• Focus on consistency and quality
• Willingness to learn multiple kitchen stations

Qualifications

• Completed education up to Grade 12.
• Ability to speak, read and understand English fluently.
• Qualification, certificate or recognised training in Food Handling, Food Production, Catering, Hospitality or a related field.
• Experience working in a commercial kitchen, restaurant or fast-food environment.
• Experience working in busy, structured restaurant environments such as KFC, Hungry Lion, Nando’s or similar franchise/quick-service restaurants.

How to Apply

Job application procedure

Only serious, reliable and suitably qualified applicants should apply.

SUMBIT; Location: EastPark Mall, Lusaka