What are the essential skills I should include in an AV technician job description?

Date modified: 30th September 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email. Or book a demo to see how hospitality businesses use Pilla to create and record job descriptions.

Chef de Partie Job Description Template

This job description template provides a full working exmaple using our six step approach. Open the template in the Pilla app and customise each section to make it specific to your role and business.

We operate a dynamic contemporary restaurant serving 180 covers nightly with emphasis on seasonal British cuisine and innovative cooking techniques. Our kitchen maintains high-energy precision during service while fostering creativity and professional development among our culinary team. As a chef de partie, you'll work within our brigade system alongside passionate professionals committed to culinary excellence, managing your designated section with autonomy while contributing to cohesive team success. Our open kitchen environment demands consistency, speed, and attention to detail, supported by modern equipment and quality ingredients sourced from trusted local suppliers. The role offers exposure to diverse cooking methods, menu development participation, and mentoring opportunities with junior kitchen staff.
• Manage designated kitchen section efficiently during all service periods, maintaining consistent food quality and presentation standards • Execute mise en place preparation following established recipes and portioning specifications • Coordinate with head chef and sous chef on daily prep requirements, special dishes, and menu modifications • Supervise and train junior kitchen staff, including commis chefs and kitchen porters, ensuring proper technique and safety protocols • Maintain comprehensive knowledge of all section recipes, cooking methods, and plating presentations • Communicate effectively with service team regarding dish timing, dietary modifications, and special guest requirements • Ensure strict adherence to food safety, hygiene, and HACCP protocols throughout food preparation and service • Manage section inventory, including accurate portioning, waste reduction, and stock rotation procedures • Collaborate on new dish development, contributing creative ideas and technical expertise during menu planning • Support opening and closing procedures including equipment setup, cleaning schedules, and prep area organization • Maintain professional kitchen standards including knife skills, seasoning accuracy, and cooking temperature precision • Handle high-pressure service periods while preserving food quality and meeting timing expectations consistently
Essential Skills: Proven competency in fundamental cooking techniques including braising, roasting, grilling, and sauce preparation; expert knife skills with speed and precision for various cutting techniques; thorough understanding of food safety, hygiene, and HACCP principles; ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining quality standards; strong organizational skills for section management and mise en place preparation; effective communication abilities for kitchen coordination and team leadership; physical stamina for extended periods in hot, fast-paced kitchen environments. Preferred Qualifications: Formal culinary education or apprenticeship completion; 2+ years experience in similar kitchen environments with section responsibility; knowledge of dietary restrictions, allergen protocols, and special dietary preparation; experience with modern kitchen equipment including combi ovens, blast chillers, and professional-grade appliances; understanding of cost control, portion management, and inventory systems; leadership experience training junior kitchen staff; creativity in dish development and presentation techniques.
We're looking for dedicated culinary professionals with solid foundation skills who are ready to take their careers to the next level in our demanding but supportive kitchen environment. You should have 18+ months experience in professional kitchens with some section responsibility and solid food preparation skills. While formal culinary qualifications are great to have, we care more about your practical skills, work ethic, and genuine passion for creating amazing food. We'll provide comprehensive training on our specific recipes, plating standards, and how we do things here. There are real opportunities to grow your career including cross-training across different kitchen sections, getting involved in menu planning, and potential advancement to senior chef de partie or sous chef positions based on how you perform and your commitment to the role.
We're looking for someone who combines strong cooking skills with positive leadership qualities, fitting into our collaborative but focused kitchen culture. You should love the energy of a busy kitchen and stay calm under pressure, enjoy helping and teaching junior staff, and take real pride in consistently great food quality and presentation. We value people who are always keen to learn more, take feedback well, and bring creative ideas to menu development. Good time management, attention to detail, and reliability are really important for managing your section effectively. The right person will be passionate about their craft, committed to food safety excellence, and excited about growing with our expanding restaurant group.
Competitive salary of £28,000-£32,000 annually based on experience and demonstrated competencies, with performance reviews every six months offering advancement opportunities. Comprehensive benefits include: chef whites and knife roll provision; nutritious staff meals during all shifts prepared by our culinary team; 25 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays and personal development days; ongoing culinary education support including external course funding and industry conference attendance; clear progression pathway to senior chef de partie, sous chef, and head chef positions; modern kitchen environment with professional-grade equipment and tools; collaborative team culture with regular menu development participation; health and wellness programs including employee assistance and occupational health support; staff recognition programs celebrating culinary achievements and professional milestones.

When you're creating a job description for an AV technician, it's crucial to specify the technical skills that ensure reliable, professional event support in your specific venue environment. Essential skills include digital audio mixing console operation, video projection system setup, wireless microphone management, and real-time troubleshooting during live events.

Common misunderstanding: All AV technician roles require advanced sound engineering qualifications.

Whilst sound engineering knowledge is beneficial, not all AV technician positions require formal audio engineering degrees. Focus on the practical technical skills needed for your venue's specific equipment and event types rather than extensive academic qualifications.

Common misunderstanding: Previous hospitality experience is more important than technical competency.

Whilst hospitality awareness is valuable, strong fundamental skills in equipment operation, signal troubleshooting, and live event support are often more important than years in unrelated venue environments. A candidate with solid technical basics can adapt to your service standards more easily than someone with hospitality experience but limited technical knowledge.

What technical AV skills are most critical for live event support?

Critical technical skills include operating professional mixing consoles with EQ and dynamics processing, managing wireless frequency coordination to prevent interference, troubleshooting signal path issues quickly without disrupting events, and understanding venue acoustics for optimal sound reinforcement. These skills directly impact event success and ensure seamless technical support whilst maintaining broadcast-quality standards.

Common misunderstanding: Equipment setup is the most important technical skill.

While proper setup is important, real-time operation and troubleshooting skills are more valuable. This allows AV technicians to adapt to changing event requirements, resolve issues during live events, and maintain quality when unexpected challenges arise.

Common misunderstanding: Expensive equipment automatically ensures better results.

Technical excellence comes from understanding proper operation techniques rather than relying on equipment sophistication. An AV technician who understands signal flow and acoustics can achieve excellent results with modest equipment, whilst someone focused only on gear often creates poor experiences despite advanced technology.

Why is equipment troubleshooting expertise essential for AV technicians?

Equipment troubleshooting expertise is essential because technical issues during live events cannot be postponed or rescheduled. AV technicians must diagnose and resolve problems immediately whilst maintaining professional event flow. Poor troubleshooting leads to audio feedback, video blackouts, or microphone failures, directly affecting guest experience and venue reputation.

Common misunderstanding: Troubleshooting only matters when equipment breaks down.

Troubleshooting expertise is crucial throughout the entire event - from initial setup and sound checks to live operation and breakdown. Preventive troubleshooting identifies potential issues before they disrupt events, and quick resolution maintains seamless technical support.

Common misunderstanding: Experienced technicians don't need systematic troubleshooting approaches.

Even experienced AV technicians must follow systematic troubleshooting procedures because venue acoustics, equipment configurations, and interference sources vary constantly. Methodical approaches ensure reliable problem resolution regardless of experience level and prevent overlooking simple solutions under pressure.