Chef | Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust; East Grinstead; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Week-end enhancement pay

Job summary

The Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, renowned for plastic surgery and burns care, invites applications for a catering assistant role in our main and ward kitchens. You will support the Head Chef and team to prepare meals, ensure safe serving and maintain a clean, hygienic environment.

With weekend enhancement pay and a 37.5 hour week (Mon-Sun shifts), the role emphasizes HACCP-compliant operations and daily documentation.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar catering role is desirable.
• Enthusiasm and ability to work in a team are important.
• Familiarity with HACCP and COSHH processes is expected.

Responsibilities

• Assist Head Chef and Kitchen staff to prepare meals for patients, staff and visitors.
• Maintain HACCP-compliant hygiene and cleanliness standards.
• Complete daily compliance documentation.
• Support to maintain 5-Star Food Hygiene Rating.
• Respond to patient, staff and visitor queries and complaints as needed.

Skills

Teamwork

Enthusiasm

Food safety

Cleaning

Communication

Job description

ATTRACTIVE ENHANCEMENT PAY FOR WEEKEND WORK

37.5 hours per week (Monday to Sunday 6.00am - 14.00pm or 11.00am-19.00pm)

The Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an expert surgical Trust, specialising in Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery and Burns.

The main purpose of the job is to provide assistance to the Head Chef and Assistant Chef and support the smooth running of the Main and Ward Kitchens. To prepare meals for patients, staff and visitors. Maintain a clean and hygienic environment in line with HACCP. Complete all compliance documentation on a daily basis. Assist to maintain the 5-Star Food Safety Hygiene Rating.

Working as part of the Catering Team you would work hard to maintain our high standards of cleanliness and customer service. Experience in a similar role would be desirable but enthusiasm and experience of working in a team are equally important.

You would enjoy a range of NHS benefits including a fantastic annual leave benefits and pension scheme. The Trust is committed to continued personal development.

To be responsible for preparation and cooking of all food requirements which meet expectations in terms of quality and value for money within current legislation (HACCPS) day to day operation of catering service, including special and ethnic diets

Demonstrate a positive and professional attitude and deal with any comments or feedback with necessary actions to maintain food safety and hygiene provisions

Rated GOOD overall with outstanding care by the CQC. A specialist NHS hospital providing life-changing reconstructive surgery, burns care and rehabilitation services across the South of England and beyond.

A centre of excellence, with an international reputation for pioneering advanced techniques and treatments. Everything we do is informed by our passion for providing the highest quality care and the best clinical outcomes.

At QVH we are proud of our achievements and our specialist services continue to record excellent clinical outcomes for patients. We regularly receive excellent results from patient satisfaction surveys and on average 98% of inpatients say they would recommend the hospital to their family or friends.

Our success is underpinned by the skills and enthusiasm of our staff and a strong culture of partnership. We are fully committed to training and development of the workforce with support for continuing education and learning.

Please see attached Job description

• To ensure the highest standards in food produced, service and delivery are maintained at all times

• To ensure all food items are stored correctly ensuring good stock rotation and temperature control

• To maintain a high standard of cleaning in all areas in accordance with the departmental cleaning procedures

• Maintain due diligence in all work procedures and practices throughout, for example, the preparation, cooking, service and storage stages through temperature control, high standards of personal hygiene, monitoring forms along with a clear understanding of HACCP and COSHH. Ensure all HACCP documentation is completed by the catering assistants and checked on a daily basis. This is important to ensure that the Trust achieves the highest star rating for food hygiene. Assist in the Environment Health Officer Audits to demonstrate compliance.

• Ensure that all activities required for the preparation and distribution of food to patients, staff and visitors is met to standards expected

• Deal with patient, staff and visitor queries and complaints escape to The Head Chef and Assistant chef as necessary

• Ability to display moderate effort for short periods of time when moving and handling catering equipment

• Ensure compliance with the Safety Management System when using machinery. Report any Health and Safety related issues to the Head of Facilities.

This advert closes on Sunday 15 Nov 2026