Chef

ASA International Ltd; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Weekend enhancements

Weekly pay

Training and support

Flexible scheduling

£250 referral bonus

Job summary

ASA International Ltd is seeking talented cooks and chefs to bring variety and flexibility to their career. You will work across diverse environments, including schools, care homes and hospices, managing your own kitchen and delivering meals to a high culinary standard.

Ideal candidates are adaptable, able to work independently, and have strong nutrition knowledge and food safety certifications. The role offers weekly pay, holiday entitlement, and ongoing training in a supportive team setting.

Qualifications

• Certification in food hygiene and allergen awareness.
• Experience as a cook/chef in diverse settings (care homes, schools, hospitality).
• Ability to work independently and manage a kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook fresh, high-quality meals across multiple settings (schools, cafeterias, care homes, hospices).
• Manage kitchen operations, food preparation, service, and daily organisation.
• Plan meals with dietary requirements, allergens and portion control.
• Monitor stock, minimize waste and maintain an organised kitchen.
• Lead and support kitchen staff ensuring smooth service.
• Maintain food hygiene, cleanliness and health & safety standards.
• Deliver meals with high culinary standards, focusing on flavour, freshness and presentation.
• Work efficiently in busy environments while staying calm and professional.

Skills

Adaptable

Independent work

Food safety

Nutrition knowledge

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Food hygiene/allergen certification

Job description

Feeling stuck in the same kitchen every day?

Want more variety, flexibility, and the chance to use your skills in different environments?

We’re looking for talented cooks and chefs who enjoy what they do but are ready for a fresh challenge. People who know they have more to offer and want the freedom to work in a range of rewarding settings.

If that sounds like you, read more!

What You’ll Do

• Prepare and cook fresh, high quality meals across a variety of settings including schools, cafeterias, care homes and hospices.
• Confidently manage your own kitchen, overseeing food preparation, service, and daily kitchen organisation.
• Plan and deliver balanced meals while catering for dietary requirements, allergies and portion control.
• Monitor stock levels, manage ingredients effectively, and minimise waste while maintaining an organised kitchen.
• Lead, support, and work alongside Kitchen Porters and Catering Assistants delegating tasks and helping keep service running smoothly.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene, cleanliness, and compliance with health & safety standards at all times.
• Deliver meals to a high culinary standard, taking pride in flavour, freshness, presentation, and consistency.
• Work efficiently in busy environments while staying calm, organised, and professional throughout service.

About You

• Adaptable and comfortable working in a variety of settings from care homes to hospitality environments.
• A cook or chef at any stage of your career.
• Confident working independently and managing a kitchen.
• Good understanding of nutrition, allergens, and food safety, with relevant food hygiene/allergen certification.
• Strong communication skills and a positive attitude when joining new teams.
• Open to feedback and able to quickly adapt to different kitchens and ways of working.
• Reliable, professional, and passionate about producing quality food.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay, including weekend enhancements.
• Weekly pay with holiday entitlement included.
• Full training and ongoing support.
• Flexible, lower stress work built around your availability.
• £250 referral bonus after a qualifying period.
• The opportunity to work in rewarding environments while keeping variety in your week.

Want to share your passion for cooking and enjoy flexibility?