# The food cost that jumped

“The food cost that jumped” is an assistant restaurant manager job simulation on FinderK. You work at The Gannet Kitchen, an original fictional company, and complete 3 assignments in about 55 minutes. It is for anyone who wants to practice assistant restaurant manager work. No previous work experience is required.

- Role: Assistant restaurant manager
- Industry: Restaurant operations
- Career: Hospitality and retail (https://finderk.com/careers/hospitality-and-retail)
- Level: Early career
- Time: About 55 minutes, 3 assignments
- Access: Included in Plus
- Created by: FinderK
- Work tools: Mail, Office documents and spreadsheets, Tables, Chat
- Page: https://finderk.com/simulations/the-food-cost-that-jumped
- Last updated: 2026-10-10

## Summary

The weekly food cost has jumped from 31 to 40.5 percent and head office sees it on Wednesday. Find what is wrong in the records, query the supplier, and explain what is really driving the cost.

## Full brief

You are the assistant manager of a busy seafood restaurant. This week's food cost looks far too high. You check the purchase invoices, the stock count and the sales, correct what the records show is wrong, and work out the real figure. Then you write to a supplier about the invoices, within what you are allowed to agree, and give your general manager a short note on what is really driving the cost and what could be done about it. Automated checks confirm your figures and saved work; your judgement is reviewed against the standard for the role.

## What is The Gannet Kitchen?

The Gannet Kitchen is a fictional 90 cover seafood and grill restaurant in Plymouth, one of two restaurants in the Saltwater Dining group. The group measures each restaurant on its weekly food cost percentage against a target of 31 percent. This case runs on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 November 2026. Amounts are in pounds without VAT.

## Who do you play?

You are the assistant restaurant manager in the Management team team. You check the weekly food cost, query suppliers and prepare the food cost note. You may query invoices, ask for credit notes and correct clear stock count errors in the worksheet. You may not agree a part credit or settle a dispute, change a recipe or portion, or change a menu price. Folasade agrees supplier matters and proposes prices; Rui owns recipes.

## What will you do?

1. 1. Check the food cost figure (20 minutes)
2. 2. Query Harbour Fish (15 minutes)
3. 3. Explain the real cause and the options (20 minutes)

## Which skills will you practice?

- Check purchases and stock records for errors
- Calculate a weekly food cost percentage
- Query a supplier politely and within authority
- Explain the cause of a cost rise with figures and options

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does “The food cost that jumped” take?

About 55 minutes, across 3 assignments. When the time is up, you get 10 minutes to round up and submit. Pausing stops the clock.

### Is “The food cost that jumped” free?

No. It is included in FinderK Plus. With a free account you can also do it without grading.

### Do I need assistant restaurant manager experience?

No. No previous work experience is required. The listed level is early career.

### What do I get when I finish?

You get feedback on each assignment you submit. Completing all required assignments earns a completion certificate. It records participation and is not professional accreditation.

### Is The Gannet Kitchen a real company?

No. The Gannet Kitchen is an original fictional company made for practice. Its coworkers may make mistakes, so check their suggestions against the evidence.