Cook

The Methodist Church in Britain; Huddersfield; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions is seeking a cook to prepare and load patient meal trolleys, cook meals to dietary requirements, and garnish hospitality items for buffets. You will serve meals at correct temperatures and maintain hygiene standards while supporting trainees and junior staff.

The role requires NVQ Levels 1 and 2 in food preparation and cooking, with understanding of therapeutic diets and patient meal requirements.

Qualifications

• NVQ Levels 1 and 2 in food preparation and cooking.
• Understanding of patient meal requirements and therapeutic diets.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and load patient meal trolleys accurately, completing the paperwork.
• Prepare and cook meals to recipes for patient, staff and special diets.
• Prepare, cook and garnish hospitality items, including buffets.
• Serve patient meals, keeping hot and cold food at correct temperatures.
• Deliver a patient-focused meal service with hygiene and safety maintained.
• Instruct lower grades of staff and trainees where needed.
• Clean premises, equipment and utensils to specified hygiene standards.
• Rotate stock and check date codes when given cleaning duties by supervisors.
• Record changes to the meal service, meals served and food wastage.
• Give a professional, customer-focused service following departmental guidelines and ward protocols.

Skills

Health & safety awareness

Manual handling

Cooking skills

Communication skills

Education

NVQ 1 & 2 in food preparation and cooking

NVQ Level 3 (nice to have)

Job description

This cook post sits in the catering service of Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions, supporting the catering supervisor and cooking grades. The work centres on preparing and cooking meals for patients, staff and special diets, along with loading patient trolleys and serving meals at the right temperature. It also covers hospitality buffets and garnishing, plus instructing lower grades and trainees. Fit depends on an NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking and knowledge of therapeutic diets.

What the job involves

• Prepare and load patient meal trolleys accurately, completing the paperwork
• Prepare and cook meals to recipes for patient, staff and special diets
• Prepare, cook and garnish hospitality items, including buffets
• Serve patient meals, keeping hot and cold food at correct temperatures
• Deliver a patient-focused meal service with hygiene and safety maintained
• Instruct lower grades of staff and trainees where needed
• Clean premises, equipment and utensils to specified hygiene standards
• Rotate stock and check date codes when given cleaning duties by supervisors
• Use materials, kitchen equipment and energy correctly and economically
• Report equipment and building faults needing repair to the supervisor
• Record changes to the meal service, meals served and food wastage
• Give a professional, customer-focused service following departmental guidelines and ward protocols

What’s required

Qualifications

• NVQ Levels 1 and 2 in food preparation and cooking

Experience

• Understanding of patient meal requirements, including therapeutic diets

Skills & knowledge

• Awareness of health and safety and manual handling techniques
• Good standard of cooking and presentation skills
• Good communication skills

Nice to have

• NVQ Level 3 in food preparation and cooking
• Cooking and garnishing hot and cold buffet items
• Dealing with the general public in a professional manner