Chef

Hampshire Shared Services Partnership; England; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible shifts

Enhancements for Sundays/Bank Holidays

Supportive team

Training and development

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking a Casual Chef to support residential care homes for older adults across Hampshire. You’ll work through Connect2Hampshire, enjoying flexible shifts that fit your availability while contributing to high-quality meals and resident wellbeing.

Join a supportive team and help sustain nutritious menus with attention to dietary needs, health and safety, and excellent service. Prior catering experience and a Level 2 qualification are desirable.

Qualifications

• Level 2 Catering qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience in catering, preferably in care/hospitality settings.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily catering operations and ensure high-quality meal preparation and service.
• Supervise catering assistants and organise tasks for efficient time management.
• Monitor meal quality, presentation and dietary compliance.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene and safety regulations.
• Plan menus with the Chef Manager, including special diets and events.
• Provide nutritious, enjoyable meals to residents, supporting wellbeing.

Skills

Catering experience

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability under pressure

Education

Level 2 Catering qualification

Job description

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC624831

Salary Range: £15.38 per hour plus enhancements for Sunday and Bank Holiday working

Work Location: Please see our candidate pack for more information

Hours per week: Variable

Contract Type: Casual

Closing Date: 29 September 2026

The Role:

Join our friendly and supportive team as a Casual Chef supporting our residential care homes for older adults.

Looking for a role that offers flexibility, variety and the chance to make a real difference? We're looking for enthusiastic and experienced Chefs to join our pool of Casual Workers, supporting residential care homes across Hampshire.

Working through Connect2Hampshire , Hampshire County Council's managed temporary staffing provider, you'll have the flexibility to choose when you're available to work, while becoming a valued part of the teams you support.

Whether you're looking to fit work around other commitments, supplement your income, or enjoy a better work-life balance, this role offers the opportunity to use your catering skills in a rewarding environment.

What you’ll be doing:

• Oversee daily catering operations, ensuring high-quality meal preparation and service.


• Supervise catering assistants, organising tasks and ensuring efficient time management.


• Monitor meal quality, presentation and adherence to dietary requirements.


• Ensure compliance with food hygiene and health and safety regulations.


• Plan menus with the Chef Manager, catering for special diets and supporting special events.


• Help provide residents with nutritious, enjoyable meals that contribute to their wellbeing and quality of life.

What we’re looking for:

• Level 2 Catering qualification or equivalent experience, knowledge and skill.


• Previous catering experience, ideally in a care, hospitality or similar setting.


• Good communication and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to work calmly under pressure and adapt to changing demands.


• Strong organisational skills.


• Commitment to providing high-quality food and service.


• Compassion, empathy and respect for older people and their individual needs.

Why join us?

• Flexible working that fits around you - choose when you're available and accept shifts that work for your lifestyle.


• Become a familiar and valued member of the teams you support , building relationships with colleagues and residents.


• Competitive hourly rates , including enhancements for Sunday and bank holiday working where applicable.


• Variety in your role , with opportunities to work in one or more of our residential care homes across Hampshire and gain valuable experience.


• Access to training and support to help you succeed in the role.


• Opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of older adults every day.

Employment Information

This position is offered through Connect2Hampshire , Hampshire County Council's managed service provider for temporary staffing. Successful applicants will be employed by Connect2Hampshire and assigned to work within Hampshire County Council residential care homes on a casual basis.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Values Based Recruitment:

We recruit for attitudes and values in Adults’ Health and Care. We invite you to evidence how you demonstrate our 5 core values in your application. For more information on our values, please refer to the candidate pack.

Additional Information:

Chef Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

For general enquiries, or to speak to someone about the role, please contact [e-mail]

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.