Chef

Now Group; Belfast; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Health Cash Plan

Staff counselling & financial advisory

Stakeholder Pension (5% employer)

Bike to Work

Holiday purchase scheme

Flexible working & wellbeing

Hybrid working

Job summary

NOW Group is seeking a Chef for Loaf Catering in Belfast to prepare and cook dishes following standardised recipes, while creating training and employment opportunities for local people with learning difficulties and autism.

The role requires HACCP knowledge, a Food Hygiene Certificate, teamwork, and the ability to thrive in a busy catering environment. The position supports social enterprise catering and cafe operations.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years paid experience working as a cook within a busy catering environment.
• Sound knowledge of Health and safety procedures including COSHH and HACCP.
• Essential Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Attention to detail and presentation.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Teamwork and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook dishes according to recipes and quality standards.
• Follow all food safety regulations (HACCP, allergen control, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with Food Hygiene and Health & Safety legislation.
• Support the Café Manager with financial targets; sales, gross profit, wastage and control of labour.
• Follow internal procurement procedures and manage supplier relationships.
• Assist in menu planning and developing new dishes.
• Provide support to NOW Group participants on placement and ensure accurate recording of interactions.

Skills

Cook experience

Health & safety

Food Hygiene Certificate

Attention to detail

Teamwork & communication

Job description

About Loaf Catering

We are Loaf Catering, we are a social enterprise supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future. If you're in Dublin or Belfast, be sure to check out our cafes. We not only serve delicious food and good coffee but also offer outside catering for events, offices, and parties.

The Role

As Chef you will produce a variety of dishes in line with our standardised recipes, while creating training and employment opportunities for local people with learning

difficulties and autism.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Prepare and cook dishes according to recipes and quality standards.
• 2. Follow all food safety regulations (HACCP, allergen control, etc.)
• 3. Ensure compliance with Food Hygiene and Health & Safety legislation.
• 4. Support the Café Manager with financial targets; sales, gross profit, wastage and control of labour.
• 5. Follow internal procurement procedures and manage supplier relationships.
• 6. Assist in menu planning and developing new dishes.
• 7. Provide support to NOW Group participants on placement and ensure accurate recording of interactions.

This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities determine.

What We Offer

Benefits:

25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory days

Health Cash Plan (on successful completion of probationary period)

Access to confidential Staff Counselling & Financial Advisory Services

Stakeholder Pension Scheme (5% employer contribution)

Bike 2 Work Scheme

Holiday purchase scheme

Flexible working & Wellbeing initiatives

About The Role

Additional Information

• Employment is subject to an Enhanced AccessNI Disclosure Check.
• NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. Policies on safeguarding, recruitment of ex-offenders, and data protection are available upon request.

  Join NOW Group and be part of a team that makes a difference by transforming lives and creating brighter futures.

Required Criteria

• 1. At least 2 years paid experience working as a cook within a busy catering environment.
• 2. Sound knowledge of Health and safety Procedures including COSHH and HACCP.
• 3. Essential Food Hygiene Certificate.
• 4. Attention to detail and presentation.
• 5. Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• 6. Teamwork and communication skills.

Desired Criteria

• 1. Experience of working with adults with a learning disability.
• 2. Sound knowledge and experience of catering for customers with different dietary requirements.

About The Company

At the heart of the NOW Group’s mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.

One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (“Just A Minute”) Card® - a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It’s a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.

The NOW Group’s impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.

Company Culture

At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It’s built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team — from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance — we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism into sustainable employment.

We don’t just work side by side — we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and it’s our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact.

In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These aren’t just statistics — each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted.

What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply — not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They don’t see targets — they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.

Company Benefits

Benefits at NOW Group

NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.

We prioritize health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counseling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health.

To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience.

Our flexible working initiatives, including a hybrid working model, and various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.

Vacation, Paid time off, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Long service recognition, Hybrid Working, On the job learning, Progression opportunities

Salary

£32,240.00 per year