Assistant Cook

NHS; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An award-winning care provider is seeking an Assistant Cook in Birmingham. The role involves creating nutritious menus and plating food to enhance residents' dining experience. Candidates should have previous cooking experience, a food hygiene certificate, and strong leadership skills. This position offers competitive pay, training opportunities, a pension plan, and a caring community atmosphere. The successful candidate will contribute to a compassionate environment for elderly residents, taking pride in food quality and presentation.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension contribution of 5%

28 days annual leave

Fully funded training and development

Uniform provided

Qualifications

• Experience as Assistant Cook or Cook in a similar environment.
• Ability to lead by example and delegate effectively.
• Flexible and adaptable to changes at short notice.

Responsibilities

• Create menus and present food attractively for residents.
• Ensure meals are of outstanding quality and nutritious.
• Coach and develop kitchen team members.

Skills

City & Guilds 706 1&2 or equivalent

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Supervisory or Line Management experience

Caring nature

Proven ability to motivate a team

Education

City & Guilds 706 1&2 or equivalent

Job description

Job summary

Akari Care is seeking an Assistant Cook who is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of older people. The role involves creating menus, plating up, and arranging food trolleys in an attractive way to stimulate the residents' appetites. The successful candidate will be part of a united and extended care team, with opportunities to coach and develop the team.

Main duties of the job

As the Assistant Cook, you will play a pivotal role in the kitchen, ensuring that the meals prepared are of outstanding quality, wholesome, and nutritious. You will have the autonomy to create menus and present the food in an appealing manner to the residents. Additionally, you will be responsible for coaching and developing the team, fostering a community spirit and a caring, compassionate nature.

About us

Akari Care is an award‑winning provider of care homes for the elderly. Their aim is to create an environment where residents are valued, respected, and offered personalised care. The organization is committed to ensuring that mealtimes are an important and enjoyable part of the residents' day.

Details

Date posted: 24 December 2025
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £13.67 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 1447627277

Job description

If you are passionate about caring for the elderly and want to build a long‑term career in one of our award‑winning homes, then look no further than Akari Care. Our aim is to create an environment where our residents are valued, respected, and are offered the personalised care they deserve.

We now seek an Assistant Cook who is passionate about, and thrives on, making a real and positive difference to the lives of older people.

An important part of the day for our residents is based around mealtimes. At Akari Care we take great pride in ensuring that what is prepared in the kitchen is of outstanding quality, wholesome and nutritious. At the same time, we always ensure that we are mindful and conscientious about individual needs, religious and cultural backgrounds.

As the pivotal link between the kitchen and the serving areas you will have the autonomy to create menus, plate up and arrange food trollies in an attractive way in order for our residents to gain enthusiasm and a stimulated appetite to eat.

By showing us that you can match our values with the right desire for personalised excellence, community spirit and a kind, caring and compassionate nature, we can offer you a career developing your knowledge, skills and abilities to support vulnerable adults with the care their individual needs require.

What we require from you

• City & Guilds 706 1&2, or equivalent (achieved or working towards)
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
• Assistant Cook or Cook experience in a similar environment
• Supervisory or Line Management experience
• A caring nature to give everyone a personal approach
• Proven ability to lead by example, motivate a team and delegate effectively
• Flexible and adaptable to changes at short notice
• Warm, approachable, and engaging persona
• Respect everyone, treating others as you would expect to be treated
• Resilient and adaptable to differing needs of colleagues and residents

Whats in it for you

• A competitive salary
• Pension contribution of 5%
• Recognition schemes and rewarding referral schemes
• Uniform provided and DBS check costs paid
• 28 days annual leave (based on full‑time hours, including Bank Holidays)
• Flexible working patterns
• Fully funded training and development
• Support with personal development plans
• The opportunity to grow and develop both personally and professionally
• An engaging community environment where everyone is respected and included

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• City & Guilds 706 1&2, or equivalent (achieved or working towards), Basic Food Hygiene Certificate, Assistant Cook or Cook experience in a similar environment, Supervisory or Line Management experience, and a caring nature to provide a personal approach.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.