What pre-service duties should I include for 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 defining pre-service duties for an AV technician, it's essential to include comprehensive equipment setup, system testing, and coordination activities that establish the foundation for successful technical support. These duties occur before events begin and directly impact the quality and reliability of technical operations throughout the event.

Common misunderstanding: Pre-service duties are just basic equipment setup tasks.

Whilst equipment setup is important, pre-service duties encompass comprehensive system testing, client coordination, backup preparation, and quality assurance activities. These foundational tasks prevent technical issues during live events and ensure seamless integration with overall event operations and venue service standards.

Common misunderstanding: Experienced technicians don't need structured pre-service procedures.

Even experienced AV technicians benefit from systematic pre-service procedures because venue acoustics, equipment configurations, and event requirements vary constantly. Structured pre-service duties ensure consistent quality standards and help identify potential issues before they impact live events.

How important is equipment testing before events begin?

Equipment testing is crucial because technical issues discovered during live events cannot be easily resolved without disrupting guest experiences. Comprehensive pre-service testing includes checking microphone functionality, speaker coverage, video projection quality, lighting control systems, and wireless frequency coordination to prevent problems during actual events.

Common misunderstanding: Quick equipment checks are sufficient for pre-service testing.

Thorough testing involves systematic evaluation of all system components, signal paths, and potential failure points. This includes testing backup systems, verifying wireless frequency coordination, checking audio levels across all zones, and confirming video projection quality and lighting control responsiveness.

Common misunderstanding: Testing is only necessary for complex technical setups.

Even basic AV systems benefit from comprehensive pre-service testing because environmental factors, interference sources, and equipment wear can affect performance unpredictably. Simple setups can experience unexpected issues that require systematic testing to identify and resolve.

What coordination activities should AV technicians handle before events?

Pre-event coordination includes reviewing technical specifications with event planners, conducting venue walk-throughs with clients to confirm expectations, coordinating timing with other vendors and venue staff, communicating with presenters about equipment usage, and establishing emergency contact procedures to ensure seamless technical integration.

Common misunderstanding: Technical setup can proceed independently of other event preparations.

AV setup must coordinate closely with catering preparation, venue decoration, guest arrival timing, and other vendor activities. Effective coordination prevents conflicts, ensures adequate setup time, and maintains professional event flow whilst protecting equipment during other preparations.

Common misunderstanding: Client coordination is only necessary for complex technical requirements.

Basic technical support still benefits from client coordination to understand expectations, confirm equipment usage, and establish communication protocols. Even simple presentations or background music setups require coordination to ensure technical operations support rather than disrupt event objectives.