Assistant Chef (Luton)

NOAH Enterprise; Luton; On-site; GBP 17,908 - 20,664; Part time

Job summary

NOAH Welfare Centre in Luton is seeking an Assistant Chef for weekends and ad hoc shifts to help provide a nourishing, two‑course lunch for 20–50 people at the welfare centre. You will manage the midday service, work with donated ingredients, and respect dietary and cultural needs.

The role requires supervising kitchen volunteers, maintaining hygiene standards and compliance records, and keeping the dining area in good order for subsequent service.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage time effectively in a kitchen setting.
• Strong communication with volunteers and team members.
• Organised approach to meal preparation and service.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and oversee the midday meal service for 20–50 people.
• Supervise and support kitchen volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene and health and safety.
• Complete required compliance records and cleanliness checks.
• Cook a range of ingredients using donated food where possible.
• Ensure kitchen and dining areas are clean and ready for the next service.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Organisational skills

Empathy

Education

Food Hygiene Level 2 or 3

Job description

Job title: Assistant Chef (Weekend and Ad Hoc)

Based: NOAH Welfare Centre, 141 Park Street, Luton

Salary: £13.45 per hour

Hours: As required, typically Saturdays and Sundays from 9am–2pm

About this role

This is a rewarding opportunity to use your catering experience to make a real difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness, poverty and other disadvantages.

NOAH’s Welfare Centre provides essential support, including food, clothing, showers, health services, accommodation advice and financial guidance. As Assistant Chef, you will help us provide a welcoming and effective catering service for those accessing the Centre.

You will be responsible for preparing and overseeing the midday meal service, providing a balanced two-course meal for approximately 20–50 people. You will make the best possible use of donated food while providing varied and nutritious meals and considering dietary, cultural and religious requirements wherever practical.

You will supervise and support kitchen volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, maintain high standards of food hygiene and health and safety, complete the required compliance records and ensure the kitchen and dining areas are clean and ready for the next service.

You will have experience working in a UK commercial or industrial kitchen and be comfortable cooking a range of ingredients. You will also have strong time-management, communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work calmly under pressure and treat everyone with empathy, understanding and respect.

You must hold a current Food Hygiene Level 2 or 3 certificate or be willing to complete the qualification within your first two weeks in the role.

Our values

NOAH is a charity that helps people experiencing homelessness, extreme poverty and other disadvantages to make positive changes in their lives. We do this by providing care and advice services, training and wellbeing workshops, and opportunities for employment.

We are truly driven by our values of Care, Compassion and Commitment, which have their roots in the teachings of Saint Vincent de Paul, whose life was the inspiration behind the founding of NOAH.

We are a Living Wage Foundation Employer and are committed to promoting wellbeing and a healthy work-life balance amongst our staff.

Closing date for applications: Two weeks from the date of posting

Interviews: To be held during the week following the closing date

Representation & Experience

NOAH is committed to equality of opportunity, supporting and encouraging under-represented groups, and valuing diversity. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds, who will bring a fresh perspective to the organisation. We are keen that we reflect the diversity of the community we work with and we therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community. We would also like to increase the proportion of our staff with lived experience of the challenges that our clients face so that we can continue to excel and improve our services. The following questions are optional and any information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential.

NOAH is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment and our Safeguarding Policy and Procedure.