Cook

Burnview-Healthcare-Ltd; Magherafelt; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Training provided (online and inPerson

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Burnview Healthcare is looking for a Head Cook to plan, prepare, and serve nutritious meals for residents, ensuring dietary requirements are met and hygiene standards are upheld. You will supervise kitchen staff, manage stock and budgets, and maintain records in line with Health & Safety regulations.

The role requires experience cooking for large groups, strong HACCP knowledge, and ability to work as part of a team within a care home setting. Sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Right to live and work in the UK.
• Level 2 or above in Food Safety & Hygiene.
• Previous experience cooking for large groups.
• Good understanding of food hygiene and safety laws.
• Team player with good communication skills.
• Menu planning experience.
• Stock control and budgeting skills.

Responsibilities

• Meal Planning and Preparation: plan menus with residents and staff, prepare meals to high standard.
• Food Safety & Hygiene: maintain kitchen cleanliness, HACCP/COSHH compliance, proper storage and labeling.
• Management & Supervision: oversee kitchen staff, manage orders and budget, train new staff.
• Compliance & Record Keeping: keep documentation, work with care staff to meet dietary needs, assist EH inspections.

Skills

Team player

Communication skills

Chefing Skills

Menu Planning

HACCP/Food Safety Management

Establishing Rapport With Clients

Identify and Anticipate Needs

Education

Food Safety & Hygiene Level 2

Job description

Cook

Burnview Healthcare is a group of family run care homes which specialises in Dementia, Nursing, Residential, and Day care. Our emphasis is on creating a caring and secure environment where our residents know that they are ‘Living Amongst Friends.

Working as part of a team all our employees play a vital role in ensuring our residents are well cared for whilst promoting a positive and enjoyable working environment. In return, we offer our employees competitive rates of pay, full training both online and in person, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme..

We are currently recruiting for a Head Cook to to plan, prepare, cook and serve nutritious, well-balanced meals for residents in accordance with their dietary requirements, preferences, and care plans. You will ensure the kitchen and associated areas meet the highest standards of hygiene, safety, and cleanliness in compliance with Food Safety and Environmental Health regulations.

Sponsorship is not available for this role.

About the role

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Meal Planning and Preparation

• Plan weekly/monthly menus in consultation with residents and staff to provide variety and meet individual dietary needs (e.g., diabetic, gluten-free, texture-modified diets).

• Prepare and cook meals and snacks to a high standard, ensuring nutritional value, taste, and presentation.

• Support residents’ choices and preferences, offering alternative options where required.

Food Safety & Hygiene

• Maintain high standards of cleanliness in the kitchen at all times, following HACCP and COSHH regulations.

• Ensure proper storage, labelling, and stock rotation of food.

• Monitor and record fridge, freezer, and food temperatures as per food safety guidelines.

Management & Supervision

• Oversee and support kitchen staff (e.g., kitchen assistants), ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and to standard.

• Order food supplies and manage kitchen budget in consultation with the Home Manager.

• Train and support new kitchen staff and ensure ongoing compliance with food hygiene training.

Compliance & Record Keeping

• Ensure all food-related documentation is completed and maintained accurately.

• Work in partnership with care staff to ensure resident dietary and hydration needs are met.

• Assist with Environmental Health Inspections and other audits as required.

An Enhanced Access NI check will be required for this position. If successful please be advised that we have a policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders which is available from our HR Team. Having a criminal record will not necessarily affect you from working with Burnview Group and will be reviewed in line with our policy.

In line with the Access NI Code of Practice we have a policy on the secure handling, storage and disclosure of Access NI information and both the Code of Practice and this policy are available from our HR Team on request.

About the company

Burnview Healthcare specialises in Dementia, Nursing, Residential and Day care with homes in four locations in Northern Ireland. As family run care homes our emphasis is on creating a caring and secure environment where all our residents know that they are ‘Living Amongst Friends’.

Required Criteria

• Right to live and work in the UK
• Level 2 or above in Food Safety & Hygiene
• Previous experience cooking for large groups
• Good understanding of food hygiene and safety laws
• Team player with good communication skills

Desired Criteria

• Relevant knowledge on COSHH and HACCP.
• Experience in a care home or healthcare setting
• Menu planning experience
• Stock control and budgeting skills

Skills you'll need

• Establishing Rapport With Clients
• Ability to Identify and Anticipate needs
• Chefing Skills
• Menu Engineering Skills
• HACCP/Food Safety Management Skills