Chef

The Orders of St John Care Trust; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A care home provider is seeking an experienced Chef for The Meadows Care Home in Didcot. The role includes overseeing kitchen staff and ensuring high-quality meals for residents, designing menus with fresh, seasonal food, and maintaining hygiene standards. Ideal candidates will have experience leading a team in a professional kitchen and engaging with elderly residents. This position offers a salary of £15.64 per hour and various benefits including holidays and a pension plan.

Benefits

30 days holiday

Company pension

Free uniform

Free DBS

Higher rates of pay on weekends

Employee Assistance Programme

Refer a Friend scheme

Discounts via Blue Light Card

Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a professional kitchen.
• Knowledge of catering for specialist diets.
• Ability to engage with elderly residents effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of the kitchen and catering services.
• Manage a small team ensuring high standards of hygiene and nutrition.
• Cater for meals for other day centres and community activities.

Skills

Menu planning

Team leadership

Budget management

Engagement with elderly residents

Knowledge of nutrition

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership

Job description

Chef

Location: The Meadows Care Home, Didcot, Oxfordshire

Pay Rate: £15.64 per hour (Weekend Enhancements Available)

Contracted Hours: 37 hours per week

Shift Pattern: 7:00am – 3:00pm and 7:00am – 5:00pm (Working alternate weekends)

About the Role

Are you an experienced chef, used to catering for large groups of people, looking to design your own menus, cooking with fresh seasonal food? Are you looking for your next challenge without split shifts and anti-social hours? Would you like full autonomy over menu development, with the opportunity to cook nutritious, high quality, flavoursome and well-balanced meals that our residents will love?

You’ll oversee all aspects of our kitchen and catering services including management of a small team, ensuring the highest standards of nutrition, hygiene and safety at all times. You may occasionally be asked to cater for meals for other day centres, luncheon clubs and community activities and some weekend work will be required.

Nutrition is an important element of the care package that we provide. You’ll be actively involved in the nutritional needs of our residents to ensure that a high-quality dining experience is received by everyone. You’ll build relationships with our residents and their families so that you understand and can accommodate their personal preferences.

In joining us, you’ll also become part of our extended family. You’ll work alongside other team members who are passionate about providing care, warmth and kindness to all those who live and work in our homes. Situated in a quiet and residential street in near to Didcot town centre lies The Meadows. The home offers compassionate, individualised residential, early-stage dementia and nursing care for up to 68 residents in a welcoming, friendly and cosy environment.

Benefits

• 30 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
• Company pension
• Free uniform
• Free DBS
• Higher rates of pay at weekends
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Refer a Friend scheme rewarding you up to £1000 for every recommendation you make who successfully starts working for us
• Blue Light Card and “My Rewards” programme, offering you discounts on shopping, days out, restaurants and much more

About You

You’ll need to have previous experience of working in a professional kitchen, providing meals for large numbers, with knowledge of menu planning for specialist diets. Ideally you will hold, or be working towards, a Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership or equivalent but this is not essential. You’ll have experience of leading, motivating and inspiring a team and be confident in engaging with our elderly residents to understand their individual needs. You’ll know how to manage your budget and stock effectively.

If you think you have the right skills and attitude we’re looking for as a chef within our care homes, then you could be the next to join us. So, apply and get your career started with us today.