Chef

NHS; Loughborough; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a passionate Chef to join their Catering Team at a children's hospice. The role involves preparing nutritious meals catering to various dietary needs, ensuring meal quality, and maintaining kitchen standards. This full-time position in Loughborough offers a salary of £24,095 per year, with additional benefits such as healthcare cashback plans and generous holiday allowances.

Benefits

Free onsite parking

Healthcare Cashback plan

Life Assurance

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Contributory pension scheme

Free meals at the Hospice

Free access to support programs

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation required.
• Experience cooking fresh meals from scratch.
• Understanding of Food Safety Regulations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook fresh, homemade meals for patients and families.
• Create menus catering to dietary, cultural, and religious needs.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and ensure health standards.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

HACCP knowledge

Catering for special diets

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking

Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene

Allergy Awareness training

Job description

Job summary

Are you an experienced Chef with a passion for cooking fresh, homemade meals? Do you have experience catering for a wide range of dietary needs in a professional kitchen? If so, this role could be for you!

Main duties of the job

We are currently seeking a passionate and experienced Chef to join our dedicated Catering Team at our Hospice in Loughborough. You will play a key role in preparing nutritious, home-style meals that support the comfort and wellbeing of children, families, staff, and visitors. Location: Rainbows Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough (No travel required) Hours: 37.5 hours per week (rota pattern across Monday Sunday)

About us

Here at Rainbows Childrens Hospice, we provide specialist palliative care and end-of-life support to over 750 Babies, Children, and Young People living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, as well as approximately 3,000 people, including families, siblings, and carers, across the East Midlands. Simply put, were here to brighten short lives and support families, wherever they are.

Details Date posted

23 May 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£24,095 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

RAI1108776

Job locations

Rainbows Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough,

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE11 2HS

Job description Job responsibilities

About the role Some of the key responsibilities include (but not limited to): Prepare and cook fresh, homemade meals for Babies, Children, Young People, Families, Staff, and Visitors. Create flexible, sensitive menus to meet a wide range of dietary, cultural, and religious needs. Collaborate with care teams, parents, and young people to tailor food to specific preferences or dietary requirements. Ensure HACCP systems are maintained and all kitchen operations meet health and safety standards. Maintain kitchen cleanliness and equipment safety, reporting any incidents promptly. Further responsibilities in the role can be found by downloading the Job Description. Essential requirements NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene Allergy Awareness training Experience cooking fresh meals from scratch Experience managing a kitchen and catering for special diets Knowledge of HACCP, COSHH & Health and Safety regulations Desirable requirements NVQ Level 3 in Food Safety & Hygiene (or working towards it) Experience catering for events Knowledge of food allergies and intolerances Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification. Our Benefits include: Free onsite parking at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough. Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme and Company Shop. Healthcare Cashback plan. Life Assurance. 27 days holiday. Plus bank holiday allowance but expectation to work bank holidays in this role. Contributory pension scheme or Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme. Affordable meals at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough. Free Tea, Coffee and Fruit whilst at the Hospice Free access to an employee assistance programme Wellbeing support and access to Mental Health First Aiders Unofficial benefits: Fun events, All staff away days, Guest visitors For further information about this role and the responsibilities please contact Michael Cayless (Catering Manager) on [e-mail] To apply for the role please click apply now to complete an online application form. If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the people team at [e-mail] This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and comprehensive pre-employment screening, including employment referencing covering the past five years. Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Previous applicants need not apply.

Job description Job responsibilities

About the role Some of the key responsibilities include (but not limited to): Prepare and cook fresh, homemade meals for Babies, Children, Young People, Families, Staff, and Visitors. Create flexible, sensitive menus to meet a wide range of dietary, cultural, and religious needs. Collaborate with care teams, parents, and young people to tailor food to specific preferences or dietary requirements. Ensure HACCP systems are maintained and all kitchen operations meet health and safety standards. Maintain kitchen cleanliness and equipment safety, reporting any incidents promptly. Further responsibilities in the role can be found by downloading the Job Description. Essential requirements NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene Allergy Awareness training Experience cooking fresh meals from scratch Experience managing a kitchen and catering for special diets Knowledge of HACCP, COSHH & Health and Safety regulations Desirable requirements NVQ Level 3 in Food Safety & Hygiene (or working towards it) Experience catering for events Knowledge of food allergies and intolerances Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification. Our Benefits include: Free onsite parking at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough. Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme and Company Shop. Healthcare Cashback plan. Life Assurance. 27 days holiday. Plus bank holiday allowance but expectation to work bank holidays in this role. Contributory pension scheme or Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme. Affordable meals at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough. Free Tea, Coffee and Fruit whilst at the Hospice Free access to an employee assistance programme Wellbeing support and access to Mental Health First Aiders Unofficial benefits: Fun events, All staff away days, Guest visitors For further information about this role and the responsibilities please contact Michael Cayless (Catering Manager) on [e-mail] To apply for the role please click apply now to complete an online application form. If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the people team at [e-mail] This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and comprehensive pre-employment screening, including employment referencing covering the past five years. Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Previous applicants need not apply.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking.
• Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene.
• Allergy Awareness.

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3 in Food Safety & Hygiene or working towards this qualification.

Experience Essential

• Experience of cooking homemade meals from scratch.
• Experience of preparing fresh food.
• Experience of managing a kitchen
• Understanding of Food Safety Regulations
• Experience of catering for special diets.
• Experience of conducting routine monitoring checks and recording findings
• Working knowledge of HACCAP, COSHH & Health and Safety regulations
• Good communication/interpersonal skills
• Ability to teach and support other team members
• Good team work
• Experience of working independently without supervision
• Treats all children, young people and families with dignity, respect and understanding
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff, children, parents and visitors
• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary team
• Active and able Chef
• One Team Working together with fairness and respect.
• People Centred Championing inclusivity, compassion and clarity.
• Aim High Adapting, learning and sharing our expertise.
• Own It Focused, committed and accountable.

Desirable

• Experience of catering for events
• Evidence of knowledge of allergies and intolerances.
• High standard of knowledge in
• desserts and cakes
• Knowledge of dietary intake
• for patients at end of life, or
• very serious illness.
• High standards of cleanliness
• and Due Diligence.
• Manual Handling
• Ability to supervise staff and volunteers
• Understanding of Equal Opportunities

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking.
• Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene.
• Allergy Awareness.

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3 in Food Safety & Hygiene or working towards this qualification.

Experience Essential

• Experience of cooking homemade meals from scratch.
• Experience of preparing fresh food.
• Experience of managing a kitchen
• Understanding of Food Safety Regulations
• Experience of catering for special diets.
• Experience of conducting routine monitoring checks and recording findings
• Working knowledge of HACCAP, COSHH & Health and Safety regulations
• Good communication/interpersonal skills
• Ability to teach and support other team members
• Good team work
• Experience of working independently without supervision
• Treats all children, young people and families with dignity, respect and understanding
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff, children, parents and visitors
• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary team
• Active and able Chef
• One Team Working together with fairness and respect.
• People Centred Championing inclusivity, compassion and clarity.
• Aim High Adapting, learning and sharing our expertise.
• Own It Focused, committed and accountable.

Desirable

• Experience of catering for events
• Evidence of knowledge of allergies and intolerances.
• High standard of knowledge in
• desserts and cakes
• Knowledge of dietary intake
• for patients at end of life, or
• very serious illness.
• High standards of cleanliness
• and Due Diligence.
• Manual Handling
• Ability to supervise staff and volunteers
• Understanding of Equal Opportunities

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 name

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People

Address

Rainbows Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough,

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE11 2HS

Employer's website

https://www.rainbows.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People

Address

Rainbows Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough,

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE11 2HS

Employer's website

https://www.rainbows.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)