Catering Assistant

Sandstone Care Group; Cockermouth; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free uniform

Free meals

Free DBS

Pension

Job summary

Sandstone Care Group is seeking a dedicated Catering Assistant for Dalton Court Care Home in Cockermouth. The role focuses on delivering high-quality, home-cooked meals to residents within a 36-hour weekly schedule, 9am–7pm, across a 4-day rota including alternate weekends.

The team values reliability, good communication, and strong organisational skills to support kitchen operations, hygiene, and resident comfort in a peaceful care setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in a kitchen or catering role preferred (1 year).
• Ability to work as part of a team and maintain high hygiene standards.
• Commitment to excellent service and resident well-being.

Responsibilities

• Assist Chef in preparing and serving meals tailored to residents' dietary needs.
• Support kitchen operations including food prep, stock control, and hygiene.
• Maintain clean, safe kitchen areas and comply with health regulations.
• Contribute to menu planning with resident feedback for better dining.
• Participate in ongoing training on food safety practices.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Organisational skills

Food preparation

Reliability

Education

Basic food hygiene certificate

Job description

Catering Assistant. Dalton Court Care Home

• Hourly rate: £13.10 per hour
• Contracted hours: 36 hours per week
• Shift: 9am - 7pm
• Rota: 4 days per week including alternate weekends
• Please note we are currently unable to offer Visa Sponsorship for this vacancy

Nestled in the charming town ofCockermouth and with stunning views of the Lake District fells, 60-bedded Dalton Court offers high-quality, specialist Nursing and Dementia care in a peaceful and picturesque setting. We're proud to also offerpalliative and end-of-life care, along with flexiblerespite stays, tailored to support individuals and families when they need it most.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Catering Assistantto join our team and help deliver high-quality, home-cooked meals to our residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Chef/Cook in preparing and serving meals tailored to residents’ dietary needs and preferences.
• Support all aspects of kitchen operations including food prep, stock control, and maintaining hygiene standards.
• Ensure the kitchen remains clean, safe, and compliant with health and safety regulations.
• Contribute to menu planning by sharing resident feedback and helping enhance the dining experience.
• Participate in ongoing training to stay current with food safety practices.

Role Requirements

• Previous experience in a kitchen or catering assistant role (1 year preferred, but not essential).
• Basic food hygiene certificate (or willingness to complete training).
• Strong teamwork, communication, and organisational skills.
• A passion for food preparation and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness.
• Reliable, adaptable, and committed to excellent service.

Sandstone employees enjoy a range of benefits:

• Free uniform. Free Meals*. Free DBS.
• Discounts on the high street* - with retailers like Asda, Costa and Argos
• Refer-a-Friend - and get a £250 bonus
• Wagestream - access some of your earned money early and get money management tips
• Employee Assistance Programme - helping you look after your health and wellbeing
• Employee recognition scheme - we recognise and reward great work
• Pension scheme - helping you plan for your retirement
• In-house training - on-going face-to-face training, tailored to you
• Career opportunities - The chance to 'make your mark' and play a key role

*Overtime is paid for working over fulltime hours. Free meals are given if working over an 8 hour shift and are subject to terms and conditions. Discounts are accessed using our 'Reward Me' app. Flexible pay is available via 'STREAM'.

Sandstone Care Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds. We aim for diversity within each service, as we think it is important that the Social Care Workforce represents the people it serves. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds including disabled candidates, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, LGBTQ+ as well as non-binary candidates, and those with experience of mental health.