Chef - Wootton Vale

CIH International Housing Group; Bedford; On-site; GBP 8,800 - 11,000; Part time

Job summary

CIH International Housing Group at Wootton Vale Independent Living Scheme is seeking a dedicated Chef to support the Catering Manager. This weekend role focuses on delivering high-quality meals and friendly, attentive service to residents, visitors and guests.

You will prepare fresh, nutritious dishes, help with menu planning, stock checks and on-time service, while maintaining food safety and cost control.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering high-quality meals with attention to dietary, cultural and nutritional needs.
• Knowledge of food safety legislation, HACCP, COSHH and health & safety procedures.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a community setting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve high-quality, nutritious meals using fresh produce.
• Support the Catering Manager in menu planning, stock management and cost control.
• Ensure meals are served on time and to a consistently high standard.
• Assist in managing kitchen budgets and controlling food costs.
• Order food and supplies in line with procurement procedures.
• Monitor stock levels, rotate stock and minimise waste.
• Carry out monthly stock checks and maintain records.
• Check deliveries and ensure product quality meets standards.
• Supervise and mentor kitchen staff and develop skills.
• Gather resident feedback and contribute to service improvements.
• Ensure compliance with food safety legislation and health and safety procedures.

Skills

Food safety

Customer service

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Communication

IT literacy (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Kitchen operations

Menu planning

Cost control

Sourcing & purchasing

Education

Food Hygiene Certificate (or equivalent)

City & Guilds/Vocational qualification in cooking

NVQ or equivalent in catering/hospitality

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

Location: Wootton Vale Independent Living Scheme
Reporting to: Catering Manager
Salary: £9,762.81
Contract: Permanent

Working Hours: 08:00 - 14:00 Saturday and Sunday

Looking for weekend work?

Do you have a passion for creating delicious, nutritious meals and delivering excellent customer service?

We're looking for a talented and enthusiastic Chef to join our team at Wootton Vale, supporting the Catering Manager in delivering a high-quality dining experience for our residents, visitors and guests.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference to people's daily lives by preparing fresh, nutritious meals while helping to create a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience within our Independent Living community.

About the Role

As Chef, you will play a key role in the day-to-day operation of the kitchen, ensuring residents receive high-quality, value-for-money meals that cater to a variety of dietary, cultural and nutritional needs.

Working closely with the Catering Manager, you will support menu planning, stock management, food preparation and service delivery while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, hygiene and customer care.

You will also help supervise and support kitchen colleagues, ensuring a consistent and professional catering service is delivered 365 days a year.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve high-quality, nutritious meals using fresh produce.
• Support the Catering Manager in planning seasonal and varied menus that reflect residents' preferences and dietary requirements.
• Ensure meals are served on time and to a consistently high standard.
• Assist in managing kitchen budgets and controlling food costs.
• Order food and supplies in line with procurement procedures.
• Monitor stock levels, rotate stock effectively and minimise waste.
• Carry out monthly stock checks and maintain accurate records.
• Check deliveries and ensure products meet quality standards.
• Support and mentor kitchen staff, helping to develop skills and maintain high performance.
• Gather resident feedback and contribute to continuous service improvements.
• Ensure compliance with food safety legislation, HACCP requirements, COSHH regulations and Health & Safety procedures.
• Conduct and maintain hygiene, food safety and risk assessment records.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is maintained and serviced appropriately.
• Promote excellent customer service and a positive dining experience.
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns appropriately and maintain accurate records.

About You

You’ll be a passionate food professional who takes pride in delivering exceptional food and service. You’ll thrive in a customer-focused environment and have the confidence to work independently while supporting the wider team.

Essential Skills & Experience

• A passion for producing high-quality food and outstanding customer service.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Knowledge of catering equipment and kitchen operations.
• Experience sourcing and purchasing cost-effective catering supplies.
• Good working knowledge of food safety legislation and health and safety procedures.
• Experience creating menus that take account of seasonal produce, cultural preferences and specialist dietary requirements.
• Food Hygiene Certificate (or equivalent).

Desirable

• Experience working within a retirement living, extra care or similar environment.
• Experience catering for events and functions.
• City & Guilds 706-3 Kitchen Larder and Pastry, NVQ qualification or equivalent.
• Intermediate or Advanced Food Hygiene qualification.

What We're Looking For:

We are seeking someone who shares our values:

• Customers First - putting residents at the heart of everything you do.
• Right First Time - committed to continuous improvement and high standards.
• As Good As Our Word - acting with integrity and delivering on commitments.
• Pride and Ownership - taking responsibility and pride in your work.
• Effective Relationships - working collaboratively with colleagues and residents.
• Open & Informative - communicating clearly and honestly.

Why Join Us?

This is more than just a chef role. It's an opportunity to use your culinary skills to enhance the well-being and quality of life of residents in a thriving Independent Living community. If you're passionate about food, customer service and making a difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.