Cook

Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd; Port George; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive local authority in Nova Scotia is seeking a dedicated professional to join their team in a diverse social care role, focusing on providing outstanding food services for adults with learning disabilities. The role involves planning and preparing nutritious meals, ensuring food safety, and working flexibly across different care settings. Ideal candidates will have relevant food hygiene certificates, catering qualifications, and a passion for supporting individuals with disabilities. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a significant difference in the community.

Qualifications

• Experience as a professional cook and knowledge of kitchen management.
• ICT skills for digital record keeping.
• Knowledge of infection control principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide a high-quality kitchen service to cater to individual needs.
• Devise nutritionally balanced menus and ensure food hygiene.
• Communicate effectively with individuals and colleagues.

Skills

Food hygiene knowledge

Menu planning ability

Catering experience

Health and safety knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Basic food hygiene certificate

Recognised catering qualification

Job description

This is a diverse social care role where every day is different.

For adults with learning disabilities, you’ll open the door to lives of independence, fulfilment, and joy. And your impact won’t stop there. This positive change will be felt across families and throughout the Staffordshire communities we’re proud to serve.

Staffordshire County Council are looking for motivated people who are passionate about providing outstanding food quality for adults with learning disabilities.

We specialise in supporting adults with complex needs, profound and multiple learning disabilities, and behaviours that challenge. Our mission is to promote opportunities, independence and choice so individuals can thrive, and our vision is to be leaders in providing innovative and inspirational care and support.

Douglas Road is a residential respite facility for up to eight adults. The service is dynamic and caters for people with varying levels of need. People come to our service for a break and could stay for a number of days or weeks. The people we support are always changing which makes it an interesting, fast‑paced and rewarding place to work.

You can learn about our services via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/staffordshirelearningdisability. You will be expected to work flexibly across the week according to business need, undertaking a range of shifts that may include weekend, and bank holiday working, early morning, evenings, and split shifts. Rotas are subject to change depending on business need.

Although this role is based primarily at Douglas Road, Newcastle, there may be times when you are expected to work flexibly across Provider Services, including different care settings, delivery approaches, and locations, as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide a high‑quality kitchen service, recognising and catering for individual needs and preferences.
• Devise nutritionally balanced, varied and attractively presented menus, catering for specific dietary needs.
• Embrace digital tools by using systems, equipment, and technology to improve kitchen efficiency.
• Ensure regular cleaning of kitchen, dining, and storage areas in line with environmental health regulations, including COSHH and HACCP requirements and assist with inspections.
• Maintain accurate records, regularly checking food stocks and ordering provisions, ensuring costs are within budget.
• Communicate and interact effectively with individuals, carers, colleagues, and others, creating positive relationships and being inclusive of all.

Qualifications & Experience

• Basic food hygiene certificate.
• Recognised catering qualification, or willingness to complete one.
• Experience as a professional cook with knowledge of kitchen management.
• Ability and knowledge to plan a varied menu.
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures, including COSHH implications for materials/supplies.
• Ability to understand safe and correct food hygiene/handling procedures with a demonstrable knowledge of the HACCP system.
• Knowledge of infection control principles (including hazard compliance).
• Enthusiastic about working with people with learning disabilities and autism.
• ICT skills to complete digital record keeping.
• Food/beverage preparation skills and enthusiasm for providing nutritious meals.
• Literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to plan menus, order supplies and monitor budgets.
• If you already hold a catering qualification, we would love to hear from you – we are happy to support you in gaining any additional qualifications needed.

Other Requirements

• This role will require an enhanced DBS check and a pre‑employment health assessment as part of the onboarding process.
• It is a requirement that we obtain full employment history, from leaving secondary school.
• Should you be invited to interview for this role, this information will be required.

Contact

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Samuel Dickinson, Assistant Manager

• Care Services at sam.dickinsonstaffordshire.gov.uk.

Interviews will be held: 6th February at Wilmot Drive Training Centre, Newcastle Under Lyme, ST5 9BD.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme. Jobs are provided by the Find a Job Service from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).