Cook

Salutem Care and Education; Birtley; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare support organization in Birtley is seeking a Food Preparation staff member to ensure exceptional service and compliance with hygiene standards. Responsibilities include cooking, housekeeping in the kitchen, and monitoring staff. The ideal candidate will have experience in kitchen environments and strong customer service skills. Benefits include 24/7 emotional and medical support, financial assistance, and gym discounts.

Benefits

Emotional Support: 24/7 Employee Assistance

Medical Support: Free Online GP access

Financial Support: Flexible pay

Physical Support: Online workouts

Qualifications

• Ability to prepare and cook food following hygiene and safety guidelines.
• Experience in monitoring staff in kitchen environments.
• Excellent customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook food for service users and staff.
• Control food leaving the kitchen.
• Ensure cleanliness and safety of food preparation areas.

Job description

At Salutem Care and Education, we are dedicated to ensuring that the individuals we support receive exceptional, empowering care from a team of highly trained and compassionate staff, within environments that are both warm and nurturing. We pride ourselves on being innovative, solution‑focused, and committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for every person in our care.

Job Scope

• Prepare and cook food for service users and staff, following all guidelines for food hygiene and health and safety, legally and with local policies.
• Control of ALL food that leaves the kitchen.
• Exceptionally good housekeeping.
• Take full responsibility for the cleaning of the kitchen.
• To deliver exceptional customer service. The preparation and cooking of all food.
• Monitoring and guiding staff while working in the kitchen.
• Help with input of new menus. While working with those living in the home to make person centred menus, support choice promoting healthily balanced eating.
• Completing all documentation required legally and by Salutem.
• Working closely with the line manager on all food related issues.
• To ensure food preparation areas are clean and tidy.
• To ensure stock rotation and stock take are completed.
• Daily and weekly ordering of all food related stock.
• To ensure all equipment used is safe and clean, reporting any issues to the line manager.
• To ensure that all Salutem policies and procedures are followed.
• To maintain a professional appearance at all times while at work.
• To be aware of the aims and objectives of the services.
• To undertake any other duty deemed reasonable as required by your manager.
• Adhere to health and safety policy and procedures, identify hazards and undertake appropriate risk assessments as required.

Support and Benefits

• Emotional Support: 24/7 Employee Assistance, mental health resources, meditation apps, and bereavement support.
• Medical Support: Free Online GP access, Health Cash Plan, Cancer Cover, and Menopause support.
• Financial Support: Flexible pay with Wagestream, utility bill savings, Money Helper, and Life Assurance.
• Physical Support: Online workouts, Cycle to Work scheme, gym discounts, and National Trust activities.

Still not convinced? We have been recognised as a Top Employer 2025 in the United Kingdom. We have been named as a Top 50 Inspiring Workplace UK & Ireland. We are a Disability confident committed company.

We have a high percentage of Good or Outstanding homes and all our children's homes are rated Good or Outstanding.

Salutem Care and Education is dedicated to protecting and promoting the well‑being of children, young adults, and vulnerable individuals. As part of our safer recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to complete thorough pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS and, where applicable, overseas criminal record checks.