Assistant Chef

Maria Mallaband; Reading; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Simply Health

Early Pay

Tastecard Discount

Nest Pension

Flexible Working

Cycle to Work

Wellbeing Support

Training & Development

Employee Assistance

Job summary

Maria Mallaband is seeking a skilled Chef to deliver restaurant-standard menus in a care-sector setting, focusing on seasonal ingredients, budget-minded creativity, and work-life balance.

The role covers menu planning, recipe development, food management, and cost control; experience in care is welcome but not required, with benefits including healthcare, early pay, and flexible working.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Chef.
• Holder of a food hygiene certificate or equivalent.
• Financial acumen – you know your numbers as well as your favourite recipe.

Responsibilities

• Menu Planning and Seasonality: Create menus that dance with seasonal ingredients where possible, ensuring freshness and delight for our residents.
• Recipe Development: Dream up crave-worthy, innovative dishes that align with our brand identity and fit within kitchen capabilities.
• Food Management: Oversee food preparation, presentation, and taste; manage inventory to minimise waste.
• Budget Mastery: Understand food and labour costs and work within a pricing strategy.

Skills

Proven experience as Chef

Financial acumen

Education

Food hygiene certificate or equivalent

Job description

About the Role

Are you a chef that’s looking for more work life balance? Are you looking to move away from the split shifts and working into the early hours?

If this sounds familiar, why not consider a move into the care sector. Here at Maria Mallaband our Chefs still work with seasonal ingredients and create dishes to restaurant standard.

If you thrive on the delicate balance of creativity and budgets? Look no further! We’re seeking a talented Chef who can weave magic into our menu while keeping a watchful eye on the bottom line.

What will you be doing?

Menu Planning and Seasonality:

• Create menus that dance with seasonal ingredients where possible, ensuring freshness and delight for our residents.
• Balance creativity with cost-effectiveness.

Recipe Development:

• Dream up crave-worthy, innovative dishes that align with our brand identity.
• Design recipes that fit within our kitchen’s capabilities and equipment.

Food Management:

• Oversee food preparation, presentation, and taste. Our guests deserve nothing less than perfection.
• Manage inventory efficiently to minimise waste and maximise flavour.

Budget Mastery:

• Understand food and labour costs and work within a pricing strategy.
• Craft menus that not only tantalise taste buds but also keep our business thriving.

Who will you be?

Whilst it would be amazing if you had experience working in a care setting, welcome applications from all sectors!

Some non-negotiables for us are:

• Proven experience as Chef.
• Holder of a food hygiene certificate or equivalent
• Financial acumen – you know your numbers as well as your favourite recipe.

What’s in it for you?

• Simply Health – company funded, providing cashback for prescriptions, optical and dental costs 24/7 virtual GP access plus more for you and up to 4 children*
• Early Pay – Access to earned pay prior to payday
• Benefits platform – discounts across multiple retailers, leisure providers, hospitality etc.
• An exclusive discount on Tastecard - dine out with up to 50% off total food bill
• Free criminal record checks
• Pension Scheme with Nest
• Flexible working patterns
• Cycle to work scheme**
• Service recognition
• Training support and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Wellbeing support
• Discounted gym membership

*Benefits require completion of a 12-week probationary period before they can be accessed.

**Benefit subject to deduction not taking colleague below National Living Wage