Cook

The Methodist Church in Britain; Staveley; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Cook for the catering team at Staveley Health Centre to prepare, cook and serve meals tailored to patient dietary needs, including therapeutic and special diets, under strict food hygiene controls.

The role involves working every other weekend and liaising with clinical areas to plan menus, ensuring patients receive the right meal at the right time, while upholding kitchen hygiene and safety standards.

Qualifications

• City and Guilds NVQ 3 or equivalent in hospitality and catering.
• Basic food hygiene certificate.
• Previous catering experience in a hospital or care setting is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and serve nutritious meals tailored to patient needs.
• Ensure meals meet individual dietary requirements, including therapeutic and special diets.
• Adhere to food hygiene legislation, temperature controls and safe systems.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and food safety in the kitchen.
• Advise clinical and catering colleagues on menus and dietary needs.
• Act as the link between catering service and clinical areas to ensure timely service.

Skills

Catering knowledge

Food hygiene

Dietary needs understanding

Communication

Teamwork

Education

City and Guilds NVQ 3 in hospitality & catering

Basic food hygiene certificate

Job description

This is a Cook post in the catering team at Staveley Health Centre, run by Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust. The work is preparing, cooking and serving meals that meet individual patient needs, including therapeutic and special diets, under food hygiene and temperature controls. The role also links the catering service with clinical areas, advising on menus and making sure patients get the right meal at the right time. It involves working every other weekend, and a City and Guilds NVQ 3 or equivalent in catering is required.

What the job involves

• Prepare, cook and serve nutritious, appetising meals
• Ensure food meets individual patient dietary needs, including therapeutic and special diets
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene legislation, temperature controls and safe working systems
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and food safety
• Advise clinical and catering colleagues on menus and dietary needs
• Act as the link between the catering service and clinical areas so patients receive the right meal at the right time and standard

What’s required

Qualifications

• City and Guilds NVQ 3 or equivalent in hospitality and catering
• Basic food hygiene certificate

Experience

• Previous experience in a catering environment preparing a range of meals

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of catering work procedures, practices and equipment, including advanced food hygiene processes
• Knowledge of portion control and the importance of nutrition
• Good written and verbal communication
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to work on own initiative or as part of a team

Nice to have

• Basic health and safety qualification
• Experience of working with the client group relevant to the setting
• Experience of leading others
• Knowledge of special dietary and cultural needs, including planning appropriate menus