Chef

National health service; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust is looking for a dedicated hospital kitchen chef to join one of the NHS in-house fresh cook kitchens. You will prepare meals for patients, staff and visitors, ensuring high standards, timely service and strict allergen and HACCP compliance.

You will work closely with the head chef, catering team and hospital stakeholders to maintain quality, optimise stock, and support continuous improvements in safe, healthy food service across the hospital.

Qualifications

• 3 GCSE or equivalent NVQ level 2 in catering.
• NVQ or equivalent in nutrition (Desirable).
• Basic qualification in food hygiene (CIEH Level 2).

Responsibilities

• Preparation from scratch of meals by following laid down recipes and methods of the kitchen.
• Cooking of dishes by the prescribed method and recording the temperatures reached.
• Keeping working area clean and safe, including deep cleaning of sections.
• Optimising stock by following FIFO and adjusting quantities with maths.
• Ensuring allergen information is correct and HACCP procedures are compliant and temperatures are recorded.
• Attend mandatory training and participate in catering-specific training such as food allergen, food safety & Listeria training.

Skills

Culinary service

Hospitality

Education

3 GCSE or NVQ level 2 in catering

NVQ in nutrition

Food hygiene (CIEH Level 2)

Job description

Job summary

To join our team of chefs working in one of the only in house fresh cook kitchens in the NHS and provide healthy nutritious food to Patients, Staff and Visitors who use the facilities here at the Princess Alexandra Hospital . Help us make a difference to people. We are a vital part of the recovery journey and we are proud to work here.

The post holder will work closely along side our head chef , Catering Team, and other stakeholders within the hospital to ensure food is of the required standards and that the department is compliant of all legislation.

Help us build a bigger team and strive to excellence in the NHS with a passion for Fresh food, tastes colours and smiles.Main duties of the jobPost holder will be responsible for the preparation and compliance of their section of the kitchen .Including the keeping clean and safe of the area. The cooking and serving in a timely manner of all meals.

Following of recipes and using correct quantities to avoid wastage. Following approved methods of preparation and cooking

Optimising stock and Maintaining kitchen productivity.

Ensuring Allergen data is correct and all H.A.C.C.P procedures are compliant. Maintaining and ensuring labelling is correct. All temperature data is collated and input.

Attend all Mandatory training and partake of CPD training as requested.

Provide support and assistance to other team members as required to meet time pressures of role.

Participate in team tool box talks and discussions regarding the service and improvements that can be made or lessons learnt .

The use of departmental computer systems.

About us

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.

We're a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Details

Date posted21 October 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 3Salary

25,760 to 27,476 a year

ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number Job locationsThe Princess Alexandra HospitalHarlowEssexCM20 1QXUnited Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilitiesThe post holder will be responsible for the preparation from scratch of the required meals by following the laid down recipes and methods of the kitchen, Cooking of dishes by the prescribed method and the recording of the temperatures reached of the dishes whilst ensuring that the appearance and taste of the dish are correct and that it is ready at the appropriate time.Responsibility for keeping your working area clean and safe, also participating in the deep cleaning of sectionsFollowing of recipes to ensure that over production is kept to a minimum. Computer systems with in the department will assist you with this but you will still need to have an understanding of maths to adjust quantities.Optimising the use of stock by following F.I.FO and following recipes.Using of the correct listed products to ensure Allergen compliance and reporting any alternative substitutions that have been supplied so that the correct allergen information can be disseminated to keep Patients and customers safe. Ensuring that all food is temperature recorded as required and recorded into the H.A.C.C.P System. All labels should be clear and fully filled out to provide the correct information. All food components must be stored correctly in a timely manner in appropriate containers.To complete all mandatory training as required by the trust either on line or in person. To undertaking all catering specific training as required such as Food allergen training, food safety training & Listeria training.Support the team as required to complete all tasks and ensure that tight guidelines are meet.Attend and participate team meeting where discussions will include feedback and guidelines on how to keep the continual strive to excellence going.Understanding and using the departments patient ordering system to collate figures and produce meals . To also understand and pass on the data provided to full fill all special diet requests.,

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilitiesThe post holder will be responsible for the preparation from scratch of the required meals by following the laid down recipes and methods of the kitchen, Cooking of dishes by the prescribed method and the recording of the temperatures reached of the dishes whilst ensuring that the appearance and taste of the dish are correct and that it is ready at the appropriate time.Responsibility for keeping your working area clean and safe, also participating in the deep cleaning of sectionsFollowing of recipes to ensure that over production is kept to a minimum. Computer systems with in the department will assist you with this but you will still need to have an understanding of maths to adjust quantities.Optimising the use of stock by following F.I.FO and following recipes.Using of the correct listed products to ensure Allergen compliance and reporting any alternative substitutions that have been supplied so that the correct allergen information can be disseminated to keep Patients and customers safe. Ensuring that all food is temperature recorded as required and recorded into the H.A.C.C.P System. All labels should be clear and fully filled out to provide the correct information. All food components must be stored correctly in a timely manner in appropriate containers.To complete all mandatory training as required by the trust either on line or in person. To undertaking all catering specific training as required such as Food allergen training, food safety training & Listeria training.Support the team as required to complete all tasks and ensure that tight guidelines are meet.Attend and participate team meeting where discussions will include feedback and guidelines on how to keep the continual strive to excellence going.Understanding and using the departments patient ordering system to collate figures and produce meals . To also understand and pass on the data provided to full fill all special diet requests.,

Person Specification

• Essential3 GCSE or equivalent NVQ level 2 or equivalent in catering
• DesirableNVQ or equivalent in nutrition
• Basic qualification in food hygiene (CIEH Level 2)
• Previous experience in hospital trust environment
• Previous experience in hotel or similar large establishment

Experience

• EssentialCulinary service, hospitality, restaurant or large retail environment
• Working with basic PC, printers and scanners
• Experience working with large team
• DesirableComplaint handling
• Ability to conduct risk assessments (Familiarisation with risk management protocols)

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential3 GCSE or equivalent NVQ level 2 or equivalent in catering
• DesirableNVQ or equivalent in nutrition
• Basic qualification in food hygiene (CIEH Level 2)
• Previous experience in hospital trust environment
• Previous experience in hotel or similar large establishment

Experience

• EssentialCulinary service, hospitality, restaurant or large retail environment
• Working with basic PC, printers and scanners
• Experience working with large team
• DesirableComplaint handling
• Ability to conduct risk assessments (Familiarisation with risk management protocols)

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.

Employer details

Employer nameThe Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS TrustAddressThe Princess Alexandra HospitalHarlowEssexCM20 1QXUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameThe Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS TrustAddressThe Princess Alexandra HospitalHarlowEssexCM20 1QXUnited KingdomEmployer's website