Your culinary team lacks versatility in their roles. How can you enhance their skills through cross-training?

I've no experience with culinary teams, yet LinkedIn says I’m one of a few “experts” asked. Gotta love AI logic! Funny thing is, I'm an expert in learning, so here goes. Assessing needs is first and oft-omitted. Including the other steps begs the question, why does AI think that training is always the answer? Hint: It’s not. [And that’s how to properly use “begs the question” for obvious underlying fallacies to its basis]. A good training assessment will uncover non-training problems as underlying causes. Like supervision, morale, low staffing, low pay, poor supplies, high turnover. These aren’t training issues. Assess needs, then determine if training is needed. And get that chef who always yells at the crew. He’ll whip ‘em into shape.

I will write it again: cross-training is an old, over-used, relic of the 80s. If you work in a kitchen and only know one job, you need to become an accountant. Please stop with the "cross-training," "team player" statements. Training is the essense of performance. And the hospitality industry stinks at this.

Spot the Gaps: Start by checking out the current skill set of your team. Figure out where they’re lacking Spot the Gaps: Start by checking out the current skill set of your team. Figure out where they’re lacking and where cross-training would do the most good. Think about the roles that are crucial to keeping the kitchen ticking over and where a bit more flexibility would help. Prioritise the Roles: Work out which jobs would benefit most from cross-training. Focus on the ones where team members can easily step in for each other, like prep, line cooking, or pastry work.

Enhancing Versatility in Your Culinary Team If your culinary team lacks versatility, consider implementing cross-training to enhance skill sets. However, as a leadership and personal development coach, and a restaurant management background, I believe personal growth is equally important. Encourage team members to explore roles beyond their current responsibilities, fostering ownership and engagement. Incorporating personal development workshops can help improve communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, leading to a more cohesive and adaptable team. By investing in both cross-training and personal development, you can create a dynamic culinary environment ready to tackle any challenge.

Customise the Plan: Craft a training plan tailored to what the team needs. Lay out the specific skills each member needs to pick up and set a timeline for when they should be up to speed. Set the Goals: Nail down clear, measurable goals for the training. These might include mastering certain techniques, getting to grips with different bits of kit, or understanding the ins and outs of various kitchen stations.

Hands-On Learning: Kick off the cross-training by having team members work alongside seasoned pros in different roles. Encourage them to get involved, not just watch from the sidelines. Switch It Up: Gradually rotate the crew through different stations so they get a feel for various parts of the kitchen. Make sure they spend enough time in each role to properly get the hang of it.

Push for Collaboration: Create a collaborative vibe where the team supports each other in picking up new skills. Pair up the old hands with those in training to foster a bit of mentorship and share the knowledge around. Tear Down Silos: Use the cross-training to break down any barriers in the kitchen. Encourage open communication and teamwork so everyone knows how each role fits into the bigger picture.

Track Their Growth: Regularly check in on how each team member is getting on. Use checklists or progress reports to make sure they’re picking up the skills they need and hitting the targets you’ve set. Give Feedback: Offer up constructive feedback along the way. Point out where they’re smashing it and where they might need a bit more work. Celebrate the wins to keep everyone motivated.

Ongoing Learning: Make cross-training a regular part of your kitchen’s way of working. Keep the training fresh by adding new techniques, recipes, or equipment as the kitchen evolves. Review and Tweak: Every now and then, take a step back and see how effective the cross-training has been. Tweak the programme as needed to keep it relevant and continue building the team’s versatility.