Chef

Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust; Harlow; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust is seeking a chef to join its in-house fresh cook kitchen, providing nutritious meals to patients, staff and visitors. You will work with the head chef and catering team to meet required standards and maintain HACCP compliance, while supporting ongoing service improvements and training commitments.

You will follow recipes, manage stock, and ensure accurate allergen labelling and temperature recording, contributing to a high-quality NHS food service and

Qualifications

• Experience in professional kitchen/catering operations.
• Understanding of HACCP and allergen labeling.
• Ability to follow recipes precisely and manage portion control.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and portion meals to the required standards.
• Keep work area clean, safe, and compliant with HACCP.
• Follow recipes and quantities to minimise waste.
• Maintain stock levels and optimise kitchen productivity.
• Record temperatures, allergen information, and complete labeling.
• Attend mandatory and CPD training and support team tasks.
• Assist in team meetings and contribute to service improvements.

Skills

Food preparation

Allergen data handling

Stock optimisation

Kitchen safety

Team collaboration

Tools

Kitchen computer systems

Job description

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 Wavea national programme that’s 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 we’re 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.

Job Overview

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 smells.

Main duties of Job

Post 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.

Detailed Job Description And Overview

The 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 sections.

Following 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.