Chef

We’re looking for a caring and creative Chef to run our kitchen and cook fresh, nutritious, home-style meals that our residents look forward to every day.

Food is one of the biggest pleasures in our residents’ lives. Good meals bring comfort, routine, memories and conversation. In a small home like ours, you’ll get to know every resident, learn their likes and dislikes, and see the difference your cooking makes.

What you’ll do

• Plan, prepare and cook breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks for 19 residents and staff
• Create varied, seasonal menus with residents’ input, including traditional favourites and cultural or religious diets
• Prepare modified-texture meals (pureed, minced, soft) in line with IDDSI guidelines and speech and language therapy advice
• Cater for diabetic, fortified, allergen-free and other special diets
• Fortify meals and snacks for residents at risk of weight loss
• Keep accurate records of allergens, temperatures, cleaning and stock
• Order stock, manage the food budget and reduce waste
• Keep the kitchen clean, safe and inspection-ready at all times
• Work closely with the care team so every resident gets the right meal and enough to eat and drink
• Help with special occasions such as birthdays, celebrations and themed days

Qualifications

Essential:

• Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety certificate
• Right to work in the UK (we can’t offer visa sponsorship)
• Enhanced DBS, or willingness to obtain one

Desirable:

• Level 3 Food Hygiene or Supervising Food Safety
• NVQ/Diploma in Professional Cookery or equivalent
• Allergen awareness training
• IDDSI or dysphagia diet training

Skills and experience

• Experience cooking in a care home, hospital, school or similar setting is preferred
• Confident cooking fresh, home-style food in batches
• Understanding of nutrition for older people
• Knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergen rules (Natasha’s Law)
• Well organised, with good time management and stock control
• Friendly, patient and happy to chat with residents about food
• Reliable, and able to work on your own initiative

Hours
 9am–2pm, 5 days a week, including some weekends

What we offer

• Paid induction and training
• Free DBS
• Uniform provided
• Paid holidays
• A small, supportive team and approachable managers
• Easy transport links in Leytonstone