Chef based at Aughton Park, Ormskirk

MHA; Town Green; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday (including bankhols) +

Pension scheme and life assurance

Free DBS checks and uniforms

Confidential counselling, chaplaincy &

Flexible options to buy/sell annual-le

Blue Light Card discounts

Full induction and development

Long service awards

Job summary

Join MHA as a Chef at Aughton Park care home, Aughton, to support residents’ health and wellbeing through high‑quality, nutritious meals. You will prepare and serve meals, plan menus with the Home Manager, and ensure safety, cleanliness and budget adherence in a welcoming kitchen environment.

You should bring experience in care/hospitality settings, knowledge of HACCP, teamwork skills and flexibility for a 7‑day rota. Relevant catering qualifications are desirable but not essential.

Qualifications

• Experience cooking in care, hospitality, restaurant or pub environments.
• Knowledge and understanding of food safety and HACCP principles.
• Ability to work well in a team and communicate clearly with colleagues.
• Flexible approach to work and willingness to work a 7-day rota.
• Sensitivity to the needs of older people and commitment to quality service.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and serve nutritious meals for residents, visitors and staff, including events.
• Plan menus with the Home Manager to meet dietary needs, including dementia needs.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health & safety and HACCP, with records and audits.
• Manage food stocks and ordering within budgets.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness in kitchen and storage areas.
• Supervise and support kitchen assistants and others using the kitchen.
• Assist with induction and training of new kitchen staff.
• Attend staff and resident meetings as appropriate.

Skills

Experience cooking in care/hospitality

Education

Catering qualifications

Job description

For this role, we are currently considering candidates who live within approximately 15 miles of the Care Home. This ensures commutes are manageable and support your wellbeing and work-life balance. If you live outside this area but would still find the commute manageable, please get in touch - we are happy to review individual circumstances.

About the role

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Chef to join our catering team at MHA. This is a rewarding role where you will play a vital part in supporting residents’ health, wellbeing and enjoyment of daily life through high-quality, nutritious meals.

As a Chef, you will be responsible for preparing and serving meals that meet residents’ dietary and nutritional needs, while respecting individual choice, dignity and cultural preferences. You will help maintain a safe, efficient and welcoming kitchen environment, in line with food safety legislation and MHA values.

What you will do

• Prepare, cook and serve nutritious meals for residents, visitors and staff, including catering for occasional events.
• Plan menus with the Home Manager to ensure meals are balanced, appealing and meet individual dietary needs, including those of residents living with dementia.
• Ensure full compliance with food hygiene, health & safety and HACCP requirements, maintaining accurate records and audits.
• Manage food stocks and ordering, ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to agreed budgets.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in all kitchen and food storage areas.
• Supervise and support kitchen assistants and oversee others using the kitchen.
• Assist with the induction and training of new kitchen staff.
• Attend staff and resident meetings where appropriate.

About you

We are looking for someone who is organised, reliable and passionate about delivering good-quality food and service for older people.

You will bring:

• Previous experience cooking in a care, hospitality, restaurant or pub environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of food safety and HACCP principles.
• The ability to work well as part of a team and communicate clearly with colleagues.
• A flexible approach to work and willingness to work a 7-day rota.
• Sensitivity to the needs of older people and a commitment to quality and customer-focused service.
• Willingness to undertake further training and development as required.
• Relevant catering qualifications (e.g. City & Guilds, NVQ Level 2, or equivalent) are desirable but not essential.

You will be joining an organisation with strong values, a supportive culture and a genuine commitment to helping people live later life well. At MHA, catering plays a central role in residents’ wellbeing, and your contribution will be valued and recognised.

Rewards and benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, you will enjoy:

• 28 days holiday (including bank holidays) and an option to buy annual leave (pro-rota for part time).
• A strong pension scheme and life assurance
• Free DBS checks and uniforms (where applicable)
• Confidential counselling, chaplaincy support and access to our hardship fund
• Flexible options to buy or sell annual leave, plus family-friendly policies
• Discounts through the Blue Light Card, Health Service Discounts and the Vivup app
• A full induction, ongoing training and clear development opportunities
• Long service awards to celebrate your contribution

About the home

Aughton Park care home in Aughton

Aughton Park is a friendly and values-driven home where colleagues work together with a clear sense of purpose. Known for its warm atmosphere and supportive culture, the home offers a place where new colleagues feel welcomed, encouraged and trusted to make a meaningful contribution.

With a strong focus on dignity, independence and high-quality dementia care, colleagues play a central role in creating a calm and respectful environment for residents. The home’s charitable foundations shape everyday life, promoting kindness, shared responsibility and teamwork.

For job seekers looking to grow within a purposeful organisation, Aughton Park provides opportunities to develop skills, build confidence and be part of a community where compassion and professionalism go hand in hand.

For more information about the home, please click here

Where the role requires a Standard or Enhanced DBS check, the successful candidate will be required to join and maintain membership of the DBS Update Service. MHA will pay for the DBS check and will provide an additional payment through payroll equivalent to the standard annual Update Service subscription fee. Further details will be provided during onboarding.

Please note that interviews may take place prior to the closing date and if a suitable candidate is appointed the role may close early.

Please note that interviews may take place prior to the closing date and if a suitable candidate is appointed the role may close early.Recruitment agencies: please note, MHA do not accept unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies, regardless of whether they are on our Preferred Supplier List (PSL). We only accept CVs from agencies that have been appointed and briefed by MHA’s Talent Acquisition Team.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

MHA are fully committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as this is embedded in our values: respect, nurture and inspire. In addition, as a committed employer we have been awarded level 2 under the Disability Confident Scheme.

Please note that interviews may take place prior to the closing date and if a suitable candidate is appointed the role may close early.Recruitment agencies: please note, MHA do not accept unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies, regardless of whether they are on our Preferred Supplier List (PSL). We only accept CVs from agencies that have been appointed and briefed by MHA’s Talent Acquisition Team.