Chef (FTC)

Cygnet; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Cycle to work

Employee discounts

Career progression

Supervision & support

Job summary

Cygnet Healthcare is seeking a skilled chef to join Hollyhurst in Darlington, delivering nutritious meals for residents and staff. This full-time role (40 hours) is a fixed-term contract ending May 2027, with weekend work as required and hours to be discussed at interview.

You will work within a caring MDT led kitchen, ensuring hygiene, supervising kitchen staff, and liaising with nursing colleagues to meet dietary needs. DBS check will be required.

Qualifications

• A skilled chef with potential care sector exposure.
• Basic food hygiene certificate holder.
• Strong communication and initiative in a team setting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook & serve nutritious meals for patients, staff and visitors.
• Liaise with nursing to meet dietary needs.
• Ensure kitchen and dining areas are clean and hygienic.
• Supervise kitchen staff when deputising for Head Chef.
• Maintain personal hygiene to Cygnet standards and comply with food hygiene regulations.
• Handle and store kitchen equipment per procedures.
• Use chemicals per COSHH regulations.

Skills

Chef

Care sector experience

Communication

Initiative

Education

Basic food hygiene certificate

Job description

Helping others improve and turn their lives around – there’s no better feeling. It’s what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.

We are looking for an outstanding Chef who’s passionate about food and wants to make a difference.

You’ll be working full time, 40 hours a week at Hollyhurst, creating an excellent experience for the people in our care.

Please note: This is a fixed term contract that ends in May 2027. Working Hours are to be discussed at interview, and the role includes some weekend working.

Hollyhurst is a specialist residential service with nursing, supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs in Darlington, County Durham. The specialist MDT led team support people who have additional mental or physical health needs and behaviours that may challenge.

Your Day-to-Day…

• Prepare, cook & serve nutritional, balanced and appetising meals for patients, staff & visitors
• Liaise with nursing colleagues to meet patients’ nutritional & dietary needs
• Ensure the cleanliness of the kitchen, service areas & dining room
• Supervise kitchen staff when deputising for the Head Chef
• Maintain personal hygiene to comply with Cygnet standards and food hygiene regulations
• Handle, maintain & store kitchen equipment in accordance with Cygnet procedures
• Use chemicals in line with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations

You are…

• A skilled chef, preferably with experience in the care sector
• The holder of a basic food hygiene certificate, with good personal hygiene standards
• Polite & professional, with a positive attitude to internal & external quests at all times
• An excellent communicator able to liaise with people at all levels
• Able to work on your own initiative, as part of a team & under supervision

Why Cygnet? We’ll offer you…

• £13.70 per hour increasing to £14.00 per hour at 3 months
• Strong career progression opportunities
• Expert supervision & support
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme & employee discount saving

Please note: successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

What next?

If you care about making a difference – we want to talk to you.