23997 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Bedford

Ministry of Justice; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service benefits

Pension scheme

Apprenticeships (earn while you learn)

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice is hiring for a 37-hour-per-week catering role in a professional prison kitchen. You will oversee offenders, ensuring nutritious meals meet quality and safety standards while supporting learners to gain new qualifications.

This role includes a 20% unsocial hours supplement and a Band 3 salary (£34,928–£36,778 with 20% allowance). Experience in food production and hygiene is essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of current health, safety and hygiene regulations in a kitchen
• Ability to work in an industrial kitchen environment
• English language competence for clear communication

Responsibilities

• Oversee offenders in preparing and cooking nutritious meals for the prison
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and hygiene standards
• Contribute to training and development to help offenders gain qualifications

Skills

English fluency

Health & safety awareness

Education

Level 2 certificate in food production

Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate

Job description

This is not your average catering job. It is a great chance to put your catering qualifications and skills into practice and make an impact far beyond the kitchen.

As part of the prison’s catering team, you’ll be working in a professional industrial kitchen environment, with a good salary, pension and Civil Service benefits including apprenticeship opportunities ‘earn while you learn’. Unlike traditional restaurant jobs, you won’t have to work late into the evening.

You’ll oversee the work of offenders to prepare and cook quality, nutritional meals for the entire prison. Plus, you’ll play your part in helping them turn their lives around - supporting them to learn new skills and work towards gaining qualifications to increase their chances of employment and reduce their likelihood of reoffending when they leave prison.

Hours and salary

You will work a 37-hour week and shift patterns are in place which include hours outside of 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays. You will receive a 20% unsocial hours payment in addition to your basic pay, subject to working these hours.

All roles can be open to part-time and job share arrangements subject to the business need/operational requirement. However, you will still be required to undertake the full range of shifts. As a new recruit, you will start on the minimum salary.

Band 3 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £34,928

Band 3 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £36,778

Qualifications and experience

• Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent
• Food hygiene certificate at Level 2

In addition, you must be:

• Familiar with all current health, safety and hygiene related regulations for working in a kitchen
• Able to demonstrate competency within an industrial kitchen environment
• Able to speak with confidence in English

Please note refresher training in food safety (HACCP) should be completed at three year intervals.