Chef

Priory; Ayr; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Birthday Holiday - extra annual leave

Enhanced maternity pay

Contributory pension scheme

Flexible benefits including gym access

Job summary

Priory Ayr Clinic is recruiting a Chef to join the hospital team on a permanent full-time basis. The role is 37.5 hours per week, with a rota across seven days between 8:00am and 6:00pm, based at Ayr Clinic in Scotland. A vehicle is recommended due to service location.

You will assist with planning, preparing and cooking meals to meet dietary requirements, while maintaining food safety standards and budget controls in a professional kitchen setting.

Qualifications

• NVQ2 level or equivalent; basic food hygiene qualification.
• Able to plan, prepare and cook meals with dietary requirements.
• Experience in professional kitchen; deliver meals to budget and deadlines.
• Numerate and literate; strong organisation and time management.
• Understand Dysphagia and allergen considerations; liaise with suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Assist with provision of catering services; plan, prepare, cook and serve meals.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety policies and statutory regulations.
• Take full shift responsibility for catering in the absence of Head Chef.
• Monitor stock, place orders and reconcile deliveries.

Skills

Resilience

Numerate

Literate

Organisation

Time management

Communication

Negotiation

Cost control

Dietary knowledge

Education

NVQ2 level or equivalent

Basic food hygiene qualification

Job description

Chef

Department:

Site Support Roles

Employment Type:

Permanent - Full Time

Location:

Ayr Clinic

Compensation:

£29,645 / year

Description

Priory Hospital Ayr Clinic is looking to recruit a Chef to join the team. This is a full time 37.5 hours role.

Based in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland, Priory Hospital Ayr Clinic is a low secure service for males and females with a mental health diagnosis and/or a personality disorder. We can support people from all over the UK. Lochlea House and Gatehouse are two stepdown services located in Ayrshire which are part of Ayr Clinic also.

This role covers core shifts on a rota basis, working across 7 days between 8:00am and 6:00pm.

Due to the location of the service, access to a vehicle or the ability to drive is recommended.

You’ll be part of a dedicated and compassionate team, all working together to ensure the smooth running of the hospital and to support the wellbeing of our patients. While your role doesn't involve providing direct care, your contribution is vital in helping to maintain a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for everyone. Whether you're assisting with day-to-day operations, keeping things organised, or ensuring our spaces are well looked after, your support plays an important part in creating a positive experience for those who live and work here.

You can find additional information in the attached job description.

What you'll be doing

• Assists with the provision of a catering service within a Priory Group Service with particular emphasis on the planning, preparation, cooking and serving of meals, ensuring all activities and operations comply with operational standards and statutory regulations. Undertakes the planning, preparation and cooking of meals, taking account of any special requests or dietary requirements within the unit.
• Ensuring operational standards comply with the company's Food Safety policies and guidelines and statutory regulations.
• Takes full shift responsibility for the catering operation (in the absence of the Head Chef).
• Ensures the cost-effective and efficient control of stock including placing orders for food products and the checking/reconciliation of deliveries.

What you'll bring to the role

Our work is rewarding but can be challenging, so resilience is key. No two days are the same! Your natural empathy will help you support others through both the highs and lows.

The ideal candidate will be numerate and literate, qualified to NVQ2 level or equivalent, and hold a basic qualification in food hygiene. They will be able to organise and prioritise their own workload within established procedures, demonstrating excellent organisation and time management skills. With strong communication and negotiation abilities, they will confidently monitor costs and liaise effectively with suppliers. A good understanding of specialised diets, including Dysphagia and allergens, will be advantageous. The ideal candidate will deliver first-class customer service and bring experience from a professional kitchen environment, with a proven track record of producing meals for large groups on time and within budget.

What we will give you in return

• Free on-site parking
• Birthday Holiday - your birthday as an extra days annual leave
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Contributory pension scheme
• Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
• Access to development opportunities
• Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
• Leadership & management development
• Long service award
• Refer a friend bonuses