Chef/Cook (22hrs)

Highgate Care Services Ltd; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 33,062,000 - 35,129,000; Full time

Job summary

Highgate Care Services Ltd is seeking a Chef/Cook at The Grange in Darlington. This permanent, full-time role (35 hours per week) includes occasional evenings and weekends. Salary is £13.61 per hour.

You’ll plan, prepare and cook meals focusing on nutrition and residents’ preferences, while leading and supporting a compassionate kitchen team in a care-home setting.

Qualifications

• Warm, approachable and positive disposition.
• Organised with reliable planning and execution.
• Creative and energetic with ability to motivate others.
• Passionate about improving lives of older people.
• Willing to participate in Staff and Resident meetings when required.
• Previous care-setting experience is a bonus, focus on values and personality.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and cook a variety of meals aligned with residents’ preferences and dietary needs.
• Support and guide Kitchen Team, contributing to a friendly, safe working environment.
• Supervise and appraise kitchen staff; assist with recruitment and induction.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, Health & Safety, COSHH and Environmental Health standards.
• Maintain cleaning schedules and stock control; ensure high-quality food and negligible waste.
• Collaborate with Home Manager on catering service improvements and resident feedback.

Skills

Warm personality

Organised & planning

Creativity & motivation

Empathy for elderly

Team meeting participation

Personality & values

Job description

Job Description: Chef/Cook

Location:The Grange, Whinbush Way Darlington

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time (35 hours per week, includes occasional evenings and weekends)

Salary: £13.61

Sponsorship: Not currently available

Join Highgate Care - Where Kindness Is Key

At Highgate Care, kindness isn’t just something we talk about, it’s the foundation of everything we do. As a small and compassionate care group, we pride ourselves on offering truly person-centred care, where every resident is valued, supported, and able to thrive. We believe in celebrating individuality, promoting dignity and above all, living by our core value: Kindness Is Key.

We’re currently looking for an Chef/Cook to join the team at The Grange in Darlington If you’re someone who naturally brings warmth, energy and creativity wherever you go, and you love the idea of making each day meaningful for our residents, this could be the perfect role for you.

What You’ll Be Doing

As our Chef/Cook, you’ll play a vital role in enriching the lives of residents by:

• To plan, prepare and cook a variety of meals which are appealing, nutritious and centres around residents’ preferences, requests or any special dietary requirements, to follow Highgate Care Homes’ Good Food Guide and, where appropriate, make amendments after authorisation from Head Office.
• To be active and encouraging, provide advice and guidance for the team ensuring that Highgate is a friendly, supportive working environment.
• Responsible for the supervision and appraisals of the Kitchen Team.
• Interview applicants for vacancies within the Kitchen Team.
• To understand and comply with statutory and legal requirements such as HACCP, Health and Safety, COSHH, Environmental Health, ensuring a safe environment within the home.
• Implement, monitor and maintain cleaning schedules that meet the requirements of the Food Safety Manual, and ensure that all areas of the kitchen are immaculately clean. This will include the washing up of pots, pans and dishes when required.
• Ensure sufficient food stocks are ordered and received from approved suppliers and that stock rotation is taking place to maintain optimum freshness of all foodstuff ensuring the highest quality expected within Highgate Care Home.
• Responsible for all kitchen equipment ensuring it is in full, safe working order, reporting any damage or faults to the Handyman and Home Manager and following up any appropriate action.
• To be an active member of the Highgate team, contribute to team meetings, and assist the Home Manager with the selection, interviewing, induction and on-going development of catering staff.
• To be understanding towards residents and their needs and attend resident/relative meetings. Regularly monitor and assess resident’s satisfaction with the catering service provided in their home, and respond accordingly and positively to ideas and feedback.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who is:

• Warm, approachable, and brimming with positivity
• Organised, reliable, and confident in planning.
• Creative, enthusiastic, and able to motivate others
• Passionate about improving the lives of older people
• Willing to participate in Staff and Resident meetings as and when required
• Previous experience in a care setting is a bonus, but we’re just as interested in your personality and values

What We Offer

Working at Highgate Care means being part of something special. You’ll enjoy:

• A friendly, supportive, and welcoming workplace
• Real opportunities for ongoing training and career progression
• A chance to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives every day
• A valued role within a close-knit team that cares as much about each other as we do our residents

If you believe that kindness and compassion should be at the heart of care, we’d love to hear from you.