Position Overview
A pizza cook does not only prepare and cook pizzas – he or she is often responsible for theoverall cooking in a restaurant.
But he or she is considered a professional in cooking pizzas particularly, hence the coined designation.
The basic work of a pizza cook is to make sure that set recipes are followed to create both thick and thin crust pizzas.
Position Requirements
Working as a pizza cook does not require any formal education, however, a high school diploma or a GED equivalent is required.
Some restaurants may require formal culinary training in creating pastas and pizza – or more particularly, Italian food.
Since working as a pizza cook means that you have to be on your toes all the time, you need to be well-equipped to handle this work. Working in a team environment is one of the basics of being eligible for this position.
Knowledge of special ingredients used in pizzas, and the ability to create pizzas just the way they are supposed to be created is important. In addition to this, it is important for pizza cooks to know all there is to know about food hygiene and premises sanitation practices. Moreover, demonstrated expertise in monitoring food levels and replenishing items is also required.
To see what duties you will perform in the role of a pizza cook, take a look at the following list:
Pizza Cook Duties & Responsibilities
• Prepare food items such as meats, cheeses, and vegetables according to set recipes.
• Ascertain the quality and consistency of the final product, by following set instructions.
• Prepare pizza dough according to recipes, and ensure that it is properly stored to set.
• Place pizza fillings on or in cut and set dough, and place it into the oven.
• Work dials to set temperatures and timings on ovens, ensuring that the right time for each pizza type is set.
• Remove cooked / baked pizzas from ovens and ensure that it is served hot and fresh.
• Monitor food levels, and communicate low food level situations to kitchen managers.
• Ascertain that product quality and freshness is maintained, according to the protocols of the company / restaurant.
• Perform preventative and regular maintenance on ovens, grills, stoves, and hot plates.
• Maintain a clean and sanitized kitchen, ensuring that any repair or further maintenance needs are communicated to the kitchen manager.
• Rotate food items in a timely manner, ensuring that they remain fresh, and throw away / discard any near expiry, or expired items in an immediate manner.