More news from Scattergoods...

Welcome to 2012

Another year behind us and now, following a busy Christmas period, we are now going into 2012 looking forward to another full and rewarding year for everybody.

The period leading up to Christmas was even busier for us based in the office as it was mooted around September time that not only was it time to order the diaries for the temps but we also needed to give some thought to suitable gifts for the Clients. Someone (no names mentioned!) thought that it would be amusing to make gingerbread people which could then be dressed as chefs (see attached pictures!). There then followed long discussions regarding suitable recipes (and taste trials too!), cutters (several were purchased and tested before a suitable template was sourced!), suitable icing / decoration and, last but not least, the packaging! We actually managed to keep both Clients and staff happy by continuing taking and filling all vacancies whilst seemingly totally consumed by talk and activities relating to the Christmas project! At the beginning of December, when the diaries and chocolates had been packaged - therefore, releasing tins for storage of the 'naked' biscuit people which Claire had spent considerable time baking and we were then prepared for the dressing and icing.

One evening when business was over for the day, we assembled for this momentous occasion - we thought we'd easily 'dress' all 200 biscuits but how wrong we were. This activity was very time consuming - admittedly accompanied by an odd glass of sparkling rose, a cheese straw or two and, of course, the ubiquitous mince pie! We managed to complete about 100 on that first evening and then had the remainder to complete over the next couple of weeks - Stephanie, Claire and Liz set off to deliver the goodies leaving the rest of us at base camp trying to finish more in readiness for the next deliveries. It has been said that this activity will not be repeated next year - calendars have been mentioned! Much easier to prepare and deliver too.

Event Staff Required

Looking forward into the early part of the year and into Spring, we already have a couple of larger events booked which require both Front and Back of House staff, so please keep us posted of any extra availability you may have and don't forget to mention Scattergood's to friends and family who might like to join us - we are always looking for more staff to work with us and don't forget you can earn a Bonus too!

April News

Applications open for Professional MasterChef 2011

It's not too late. Applications are still open for Professional MasterChef 2011.

For any professional chef who is focused and driven by their culinary ambition and believe they have what it takes to achieve world class excellence, this is the last chance to apply for one of the principle professional competitions in the country.

In its fourth series, Judges Michel Roux Jnr, Gregg Wallace, and Monica Gelatti, along with some of the greatest chefs in the country are back to find the best chefs in the country with the ability to cook at the highest level.

It's an opportunity not to be missed.

If you have anyone in your kitchens or your brigade who fits the bill or you are interested in taking part, please apply NOW on line at www.masterchef.com

For more information contact:
lucy.hards@shine.tv or call 0207 985 7693

Entry Requirements include:
You must be aged 20 or above on May 1st 2011
You must be resident of the UK (inc Northern Ireland and Channel Islands)
You need to have worked for at least 2 years as a chef in a professional kitchen and/or have the necessary qualifications (please refer to full rules at www.masterchef.com)

February News

Valentine's Day Competition

The winner of our first client competition of the year was Alison Kirkup, one of the F & B team at THE ELVETHAM HOTEL. For those of you who are keen word search people but missed out on our competition, please click here to download our special Valentine's Word Search puzzle for you to solve - there are 25 valentine day related words to find.

January News

Skittles Evening

Following a fairly eventful December (dreadful weather, slippery roads, Christmas, swiftly followed by New Year!) it was decided to postpone Scattergood's Christmas Festivities until January and it was mooted an evening of skittles in the local pub would be a good idea.

A group of about forty of us - temporary staff, clients and friends plus 'Base Camp' office staff - assembled on Sunday 6 February from 18.30 and after a welcoming drink and catch up on news, four teams were selected and battle commenced! Good tempered rivalry and hilarity ensued (perhaps aided by the odd tipple!) and a fairly even scoring couple of rounds followed but the eventual winners were the Red Team - led by Dan O'Connor, our new Recruitment Consultant in the Temporary Department. The shot of the evening was made by Paul Sandell who threw his ball down the alley with great alacrity, missed all the skittles, bounced off the back board and out of the play area and knocked Martin's (full) pint of Guinness all over the carpet - bonus points there then! Points were awarded for cheering and team encouragement - the loudest of whom were the Yellow Team but Claire would like to mention that Helen and Liz (on the Green Team) made more noise than all the others put together!

Hopefully a good time was had by all - we certainly enjoyed it - and we look forward to our next gathering, maybe in the summer for another barbecue.

If you would like to see more pictures of our fun evening then please call the office and one of us will give you a weblink.

November News

All Companies must offer Workers Pensions by 2016

All Business's must offer a company pension scheme to workers earning above £7,475 by 2016.

Workers may be enrolled into a Company scheme or the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST).

Contributions from both employer and employee will be able to commence from 2012 at 2%, rising to 8% by 2016.

October News

New Equality Act

The Equality Act became law in October 2010. It replaces previous legislation (such as the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) and ensures consistency in what you need to do to make your workplace a fair environment and to comply with the law.

For full details visit the ACAS website.

Scattergood's Agency Ltd | Company Number 3064130 Thursley House | 53 Station Road | Shalford | Surrey | GU4 8HA | mail@scattergoods.co.uk