Assistant Chef / Second Chef

Bupa; Guildford; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

My Healthcare

Healthcare allowance

Stream wage access

Enhanced sick pay

Free meals on shift

Long service rewards

Interest‑free travel loan

Pension schemes

Gym discounts

Viva wellbeing program

Job summary

Bupa's Ashley Park Care Home in Guildford is seeking an Assistant Chef / Second Chef to join a friendly kitchen team. You will report to the Chef Manager and help run day-to-day kitchen operations, delivering nutritious, well-presented meals for residents.

We offer a supportive environment with a focus on quality and resident wellbeing. The role is 30 hours per week, with pay £14.09–£15.59 per hour, depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a fresh food kitchen
• Relevant food hygiene certificates
• Strong understanding of food safety standards
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Positive, flexible approach with willingness to bring new ideas

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook high-quality, nutritious meals using fresh ingredients.
• Create varied menus catering to dietary requirements and preferences.
• Support residents to feel at home through excellent dining experiences.
• Lead, train and motivate kitchen team members on preparation and service standards.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness (HACCP, COSHH).
• Assist with stock control, ordering and budget management.
• Support special events and themed dining experiences.

Skills

Cooking

Food hygiene

Team communication

Budget awareness

Food presentation

Job description

Assistant Chef / Second Chef

Ashley Park Care Home, The Street, Guildford GU4 7SU

CQC Rating: Good | Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.8 | Food Hygiene Rating: 5*

Salary: £14.09 – £15.59 per hour (depending on experience)

Contract: 30 hours per week

We’re looking for a talented and enthusiastic Assistant Chef / Second Chef to join our friendly team at Ashley Park Care Home. If you have a passion for fresh food, enjoy creating nutritious and delicious meals, and want to make a real difference to the lives of our residents, we’d love to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing

As an Assistant Chef, you'll work closely alongside and report directly to the Chef Manager, supporting them in the day-to-day running of the kitchen and ensuring an exceptional dining experience for our residents.

• Preparing and cooking high-quality, nutritious meals using fresh ingredients.
• Creating varied menus that cater for individual dietary requirements, preferences and nutritional needs.
• Supporting residents to feel at home through excellent food and dining experiences.
• Helping to lead, train and motivate kitchen team members in food preparation, cooking and service standards.
• Maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness in line with HACCP, COSHH and company procedures.
• Assisting with stock control, ordering and budget management.
• Supporting special events and celebrations, including birthday parties, seasonal events and themed dining experiences.

What We’re Looking For

You’ll be someone who genuinely enjoys cooking and takes pride in producing nutritious, well-presented meals. You’ll also have:

• Previous experience working in a fresh food kitchen environment.
• Relevant food hygienequalifications/certificates.
• A good understanding of food safety and hygiene standards.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• A positive and flexible approach, with a willingness to bring new ideas to the kitchen.
• A passion for enhancing residents’ wellbeing through great food and meaningful interactions.
• Most importantly, you’ll enjoy building relationships with residents and making every meal a memorable experience.

Why Join Bupa?

Our benefits are designed to support your health, wellbeing and financial security. As part of the team, you’ll receive:

• My Healthcare – 24/7 access to GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and more.
• Annual healthcare allowance worth approximately £350 to spend on selected Bupa healthcare products.
• Stream – access up to 40% of your earned wages before payday.
• Enhanced sick pay scheme for frontline colleagues.
• Free meal on every shift.
• Long service rewards including additional holiday and recognition awards.
• Interest‑free annual travel loan.
• Bupa pension schemes.
• Discounts at a wide range of gyms and fitness facilities.

Access to Viva, our global wellbeing programme supporting physical, mental, financial, social and environmental wellbeing.

About Ashley Park Care Home

Food is a central part of life at Ashley Park. From freshly prepared daily meals and homemade cakes to special celebrations and themed events, our kitchen team plays a vital role in creating positive experiences and memorable moments for residents and their families.

The home consists of two floors, with a dining room and lounges, supporting a vibrant community of 30 residents. As an Assistant Chef, you'll play a key role in supporting the Chef Manager with the day-to-day running of the kitchen, helping to deliver exceptional dining experiences for residents through nutritious, well‑presented meals that reflect their individual tastes, dietary requirements and preferences.

Be You at Bupa

At Bupa, diversity is at the heart of who we are. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

We are proud to be a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.