Friday 17 March 2017

Researching a job in the Food Industry


Food Jobs!  


My Uncle Claude owns Ali Baba's Pizza.  He makes the best pizza.  I asked him for an interview to find out what it takes to work there.



INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1.  How many Ali Baba shops do you own?

2.  How many staff do you have working at each location?

3.  What are the requirements for the jobs (ex. Foodsafe certification)?

4.  Do food/health inspectors visit Ali Baba's pizza?

5.  If they do visit, how often do they go to the restaurant?

6.  Do health inspectors have certain requirements and how do you know what they are?  Do you have a manual?  

7.  Can you provide me with a copy of that manual?

8.  If I am considering working at Ali Baba's, how much would I get paid?  What positions are available?

9.  Are there any perks of working at Ali Baba's and, if so, what are they?

10.  Do you have a staff manual?  If so, can you provide me with a copy?

Thank you for your time and I hope to see you again.  If you prefer to do this interview in person we could do that too and film it.  

Thanks, Vaughn


INTERVIEW ANSWERS:

Hi Vaughn,

All answers are below your questions! Thanks for the opportunity!


 Uncle Claude



1.  How many Ali Baba shops do you own?
Two.

2.  How many staff do you have working at each location?
Between 15 and 20 at each location.

3.  What are the requirements for the jobs (ex. Foodsafe certification)?
Cooks are required to have a food safe certificate and customer service experience. Driver’s must have a valid driver’s licence with no restrictions as well as their own insured vehicle.

4.  Do food/health inspectors visit Ali Baba's pizza?
Yes, they do.

5.  If they do visit, how often do they go to the restaurant?
Approximately every six months. Without notice.

6.  Do health inspectors have certain requirements and how do you know what they are?  Do you have a manual?
We do not have a manual. As the owner of the business you are required to have a level two food safe certificate. By completing that course you know the proper cooking and refrigeration temperatures required. They are also looking for proper procedures set in place to ensure the store is clean and all staff are following safe food handling.


7.  Can you provide me with a copy of that manual?

8.  If I am considering working at Ali Baba's, how much would I get paid?  What positions are available?
There are two different positions. Delivery driver, who is paid minimum wage which currently sits a $10.85/ hour plus $1.75 for each delivery as well as tips received from customers which averages $5.00/ delivery.
Cooks receive between $11.00 and $16.00 / hour depending on experience, reliability and work ethic.


9.  Are there any perks of working at Ali Baba's and, if so, what are they?The perks are free or discounted food items. Example each staff member receives one free slice of pizza and a drink per shift. When not on a shift they receive a staff discount. We also offer an extended medical and dental health package to any staff working more than 30 hours per week.

10.  Do you have a staff manual?  If so, can you provide me with a copy?
We do not have a staff manual however all of our policies and procedures are clearly explained during training.


Here is a link to Ali Baba's Website:

Ali Baba Pizza


I found an application form on their website:


Application For Employment
  • All information obtained within this application will be held in strict confidence.
  • Please complete all applicable sections and sign the last page.
  • Please print clearly.
    Ali Baba Pizza prides itself on being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will not discriminate in employment because of sex, age, race, religion, ethnicity, marital status or place of origin.
page1image4928
1)
Personal Information
Date:___________________________________________________________________ Name:_______________________________________Telephone:_________________
Address:________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________Postal Code________________ Are you legally entitled to work in Canada? __________________________________ Position(s) applied for: ___________________________________________________
Store Location Applying for:______________________________________________
Have you ever worked Yes No For Ali Baba Pizza Before
If Yes, when and where __________________________________________________ Education Background Relevant to the position applied for.
Highest level of education completed: ______________________________________ Equipment operation experience relative to job applied for ____________________
Are there any skills, experience which you feel would assist you in performing the duties of the position applied for? ________________________________________________________________________
page1image11696 page1image11856 page1image12016 page1image12176
2)
page1image12784 page1image12944 page1image13104
a)
b)
c)
3)
Employment History
List the last three employers starting with the most recent
Employer’s Name: ___________________Commencement Date _________________ Reason for leaving: ______________________________________________________ Supervisor’s Name: __________________________Phone # _____________________ Position(s) Held: _________________________________________________________ Duties:_________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ May we contact this employer? (if not, State brief reason) ______________________ ________________________________________________________________________
Employer’s Name: ___________________Commencement Date _________________ Reason for leaving: ______________________________________________________ Supervisor’s Name: __________________________Phone # _____________________ Position(s) Held: _________________________________________________________ Duties:_________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ May we contact this employer? (if not, State brief reason) ______________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Employer’s Name: ___________________Commencement Date _________________ Reason for leaving: ______________________________________________________ Supervisor’s Name: __________________________Phone # _____________________ Position(s) Held: _________________________________________________________ Duties:_________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ May we contact this employer? (if not, State brief reason) ______________________ ________________________________________________________________________

4) Delivery Driver Information
Please fill out this section if you are applying for a driving position
Do you have a valid Driver’s License? Yes No
License # ________________________________ Province _______________________
Note: if you are selected for an interview, you are required to present a copy of your driving record that is no more than 4 weeks old. After being hired, a copy of this driving record will be placed into your personnel file and an annual update will be required.
5) False Information
False information given or implied on an application form is grounds for immediate dismissal without further notice.
I hereby state that all information provided is accurate and may be verified by Ali Baba Pizza. I agree that I may be Discharged if Ali Baba Pizza at any time learns of falsification or material omission in the information provided on the application from and relate documents. Ali Baba Pizza may contact my former employer in connection with the consideration of employment with them. All references are hereby authorized to release all information which they may have, relevant to my employment with them. I hereby release Ali Baba Pizza, it’s affiliates, successors, and assigns, and all references from any liability that might be claimed because of information provided by such references.
I agree that I will follow all Company policies, rules, procedures, and all other directions pertaining to my employment. I understand that Ali Baba Pizza reserves the right to add, change and /or delete any policies, procedures, work rules, and / or benefits at any time.
Application Signature ________________________________Date_____________
No consideration of employment will be given to any applicant who does not sign the above statement.
Note: Additional personal information may be required if employment results from this application.
Thank you for showing an interest in pursuing a career with Ali Baba Pizza. 



I am very interested in finding a job right now, but to be honest, I'm not sure if it will be in the food industry.  The good thing about Ali Baba's Pizza is that it could be a good first job for someone (like me).  I have my Food Safe Certificate and maybe they would consider me.  I don't have my driver's license so I could not apply for a delivery driver.



Friday 6 January 2017

An Funny Thing Happened Along The Way....







I am experimenting with the thought of becoming a vegetarian.  This fall I have reduced my meat consumption and I am not craving or thinking about eating any type of meat at all.  I would prefer not to.  

I have talked to my mom and we are going to experiment with different recipes and types of pastas and I am interested in trying a vegie burger.  I still love eating my fruit and vegie bars and fruit and vegie juice.  

I have been influenced to try this route as I know several singers are vegetarian.  I am influenced by:

Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
Yesterday

Thom Yorke (RadioHead)
Karma Police 

Anni Frid Lyngstad (ABBA) 
Waterloo 






Wednesday 4 January 2017

Burritos and Portions


I have continued to make burritos for my family on a regular basis. 

My mom likes lots of vegetables on her burritos so I am happy to help her cut them.  I have tried a bit of salsa on mine.

Something new that I have tried are different types of soft tacos.  I have tried sundried tomato and wholewheat.  I still like the white ones, but the sundried tomato ones were pretty good.




I believe our plates are representing this one (shown here) but all wrapped up inside the wrap! The only thing missing is the fruit. 
I think it would be fair to say I could safely have 2 full burritos at this meal and be fulfilling a dinner portion of required servings.  This takes into account that I would be also eating breakfast and lunch.
As you can see here, the recommended servings for teenage boys are:  8 Fruit/Veg, 7 Grains, 3-4 Milk+, 3 Meats. 

Healthy Brownies Put To The Test








I was finally able to make the healthier choice brownie.  The main ingredient is black beans and there is no flour.  At New Year's Day I served them to family.  Here is the feedback:

Debbie and Elise - grateful and loved them.  They both are gluten free so they loved this recipe.
Claude and Peter - really loved them and health conscious.
Isabella - liked them better than my previous brownies when she heard they were healthy.
Jonah - loved them (I was not allowed to tell him they were made from black beans because he would not have loved them then).
Auntie Patti and Mama - really liked them!
Violet - really liked it!
Papa - really, really loved them.

I believe these brownies may have been more filling than the brownies I made in the summer, probably because of the density of the black beans.  These brownies were the size of a small muffin.  I could have also made them in a mini-muffin tin and maybe I could try that next time.