Chef

NHS; Poole; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Poole is seeking a qualified Chef to join their Catering team. Your role involves preparing and serving meals for patients and staff while ensuring high standards of food safety and quality. Experience in large scale catering within healthcare is required. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and various employee benefits including NHS discounts and paid training.

Benefits

Generous starting salary

Enhanced pay for unsocial hours

Paid training

Free uniform

NHS Pension Scheme

Increased holiday allowance after service

Salary sacrifice schemes

NHS discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in large scale catering within healthcare sector is required.
• Willingness to work flexibly across various kitchen sections.
• Ability to work unsupervised in all areas.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and serve meals to high standards.
• Liaise with Food Production Manager on meal quality.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations.

Skills

Attention to detail

Culinary Expertise

Education

City & Guilds 706/1 706/2 or equivalent

Level 3 Food Hygiene/Safety

Level 3 Allergen awareness

Job description

Job Summary

University Hospitals Dorset is seeking a friendly, hardworking, reliable & qualified Chef to work within the Catering team to provide freshly cooked food to our patients and staff. The team is responsible for providing an efficient, high quality, dedicated food and beverage service, operating in compliance with corporate and local policies and procedures.

Experience of working in a similar environment and the professional qualification standard COSHH and allergen training (or willingness to work towards it) are required. But just as important are the commitment to provide a first class service and a belief in teamwork.

A driving licence would be an advantage but is not essential, this position has to cover 7 days and you will work any 5 days.

What Working for Us Will Provide

• Generous Starting Salary
• Enhanced Pay for unsocial hours worked (Saturday, Sunday).
• No split shifts
• Paid training
• Free uniform
• 27 days paid holiday (pro rata for part time) plus bank holidays
• Increased holiday allowance after 5 and 10 years' service
• Enrolment in the NHS Pension Scheme
• Salary sacrifice scheme opportunities - including childcare vouchers, car lease and cycle scheme, home technology equipment
• Staff Rates on Items in the Catering Departments retail outlets.
• NHS discounts to save on your shopping, gym membership and more

Please Note: Previously unsuccessful applicants need not apply.

Base

Bournemouth Hospital

Interview Date

19th November 2025

Main Duties of the Job

Your tasks could include:

• Ensure the preparation, cooking and service of meals for patients and staff is to the standard of City & Guilds 706 1/2 or NVQ equivalent.
• Liaise effectively with Food Production Manager on meal quality, and inform all staff about any menu changes.
• Follow recipes accurately, so as to ensure correct cooking times, cooking methods and number of portions produced.
• It may be necessary for you to work in differing sections of the Catering Department to meet service needs. This would usually be duties appropriate to band level.

You must be flexible to work locations and hours and to meeting the needs of our customers and patients whilst being supportive of the large food service operation at the UHD.

Person Specification - Qualifications

• City & Guilds 706/1 706/2 or equivalent vocational level 3 qualification or equivalent knowledge and experience
• Level 3 Food Hygiene/Safety
• Level 3 Allergen awareness

Person Specification - Desirable

• Formal Dietetics Course

Experience

• Large scale Catering experience within healthcare sector
• Experience of special dietary requirements gained through Education & training to level 3.
• Work unsupervised in all areas of the kitchen

Experience (Desirable)

• Previous experience within catering sector
• Previous NHS experience

Skills / Competencies

• Attention to detail inc. Accuracy & ability to multi-task.
• Culinary Expertise (Excellent knife skills, Equipment knowledge, Safety/Sanitation methods, cooking methods)

Skills / Competencies (Desirable)

• Evidence of creativity by introducing new recipe ideas in areas of control

Knowledge

• Good understanding of food nutrition
• Good understanding of H&S, HACCP & COSHH regulations

Knowledge (Desirable)

• Understand the needs of Special Diets for patients

Personal Attributes

• Able to work as part of a team and mix with other members of staff
• Ability to communicate effectively with all hospital staff
• Passion for cooking

Personal Attributes (Desirable)

• Evidence of working in busy kitchens

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

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Poole Hospital

Longfleet road

Poole

BH15 2JB

Employer's website: https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers

Job Details

Details Date posted: 04 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year Per annum

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 153-CO05086-A

Job locations: Poole Hospital, Longfleet road, Poole, BH15 2JB