Cook

Stoke-on-Trent City Council; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 15,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days' annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Training and development

Job summary

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking a part-time cook for our Small Group Homes to plan, prepare and cook nutritious meals for around 12–15 residents daily. You will manage menus, portion control, stock, and safety checks while ensuring meals meet dietary and cultural needs.

You will work with children and staff to create welcoming, balanced options within budget, maintaining hygiene and accurate records across the kitchen operations.

Qualifications

• Experience as a cook, including running a kitchen independently.
• Knowledge of current food safety legislation and HACCP principles.
• Ability to plan varied, balanced menus within allocated budget.
• Willingness to complete required training and development.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals for 12–15 people daily.
• Plan menus and manage portion control.
• Conduct fridge, freezer and hot-food temperature checks.
• Manage stock, ordering, deliveries and rotation.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen.
• Collaborate with children, young people and staff to tailor meals.

Skills

Stock control

Food safety

Budget management

Teamwork

Education

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Cookery qualification (City & Guilds 706/1/706/2 or NVQ Level 2/3)

Job description

As a Cook within one of our Small Group Homes, you will plan, prepare and cook nutritious meals for approximately 12â€"15 people each day. You will create varied menus in consultation with the children and young people who live in the home, cater for medical, dietary and cultural needs, and ensure meals are prepared safely, efficiently and within budget. You will also take responsibility for the effective day-to-day operation of the kitchen, including stock control, ordering, food safety checks, cleaning and accurate record keeping.,

• Prepare and cook a full range of meals for approximately 12â€"15 people each day, maintaining consistent standards of quality and presentation.
• Plan menus and manage portion control, taking account of individual preferences, allergies, medical requirements and cultural choices.
• Complete all required food safety and hazard-analysis checks, including fridge, freezer, delivery and hot-food temperatures.
• Manage stock levels, ordering, deliveries and stock rotation, and liaise with suppliers or arrange repairs when necessary.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and health and safety throughout the kitchen.
• Work positively with children, young people and colleagues to ensure the food offer is welcoming, responsive and suited to the needs of the home.

Why Join Us?

• Play an important part in creating a safe, homely and nurturing environment for children and young people.
• Use your cookery skills creatively while shaping menus around individual needs, preferences and feedback.
• Join a supportive Small Group Homes service where teamwork, consistency and quality matter., Chris Whalley, Residential Care Manager

Pre-employment checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:

• Right to Work in the UK.
• Proof of address.
• Satisfactory references.
• Occupational Health clearance.
• Evidence of relevant professional qualifications.
• A DBS check at the appropriate level.
• Experience of working as a cook, including running a kitchen independently, contributing effectively as part of a wider team and remaining calm under pressure.
• A Basic Food Hygiene Certificate or another relevant qualification.
• A professional cookery qualification, such as City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ Level 2 or 3, or a willingness to complete the required training successfully.
• A clear understanding of current food safety legislation, hazard analysis and safe food-handling procedures.
• The ability to plan varied, balanced menus within an allocated budget and prepare special diets that meet medical requirements and cultural choices.
• Good organisational skills, including stock control, ordering, rotation and accurate record keeping, together with a flexible and practical approach.

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council is more than just a job; it is about making, protecting and improving services for local people, reducing inequalities and improving independence for those who live and work in the city. That is where you come in. We are looking for people of the highest calibre, with the skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset. The skills, knowledge and experience of our employees are essential to delivering our ambitions for the organisation and the city. We want to be an employer people are proud to work for, where staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them excel and deliver the high-quality services our residents need. Further information on Join Our Children and Families Service We are growing and developing our Children and Families workforce as part of an ambitious programme of service transformation. We are looking for talented, committed and values-led people to join us., If an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy, their application will receive priority. If this happens, you will be advised accordingly. Your career matters here. At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we are committed to helping our people thrive. From competitive pay and a supportive working environment to opportunities for development and career progression, we invest in our workforce because we know it is our greatest asset. We are building an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve, where everyone is welcomed, valued and encouraged to make a difference.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

We believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they do not meet every listed requirement.

• A permanent, part-time position with a salary of £13,637â€"£14,771 per annum.
• 28 days' annual leave rising to 33 days after five years' continuous service, plus bank holidays, calculated pro rata.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Training and development, including support to achieve an appropriate professional cookery qualification where required.