Hostel/Care Home - Chef

Guidant Global; England; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A local council is seeking a Hostel Chef to prepare meals for residents with complex needs. This role involves managing food preparation, ensuring dietary requirements are met, and maintaining high kitchen standards. Candidates should have relevant catering experience and a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate. The position is ideal for those looking for flexible hours while supporting a critical community service.

Qualifications

• 6 months+ experience preparing and cooking healthy meals in a professional setting.
• Experience coordinating food orders and deliveries; knowledge of stock rotation.
• Good communication skills and friendly demeanor, able to liaise with staff.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and produce meals for up to 24 residents while managing dietary requirements.
• Track kitchen ingredients and manage waste effectively.
• Collaborate with hostel staff to ensure meal delivery aligns with service needs.

Skills

Good communicator

Mediation skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent organisational skills

Ability to tolerate stress

Education

Valid Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate

NVQ Level 2 in Food Safety

Job description

Overview

Hostel Chef

£19.32 per hour

Guidant Global are recruiting for a Hostel Chef on behalf of Brighton and Hove County Council to cater for up to 24 residents. The hostel offers accommodation to local, single homeless people with complex needs, including those with alcohol or drug problems and people with mental health problems. The service helps people to prepare for independence by offering a short-term place to stay, training and a safe space for those who want to address their substance use.

Role and Scheduling

You will be required to work adhoc shifts in order to cover holidays, sickness, and other short notice requirements. This role would suit someone with a permanent job role looking to pick up some extra hours.

Responsibilities

• Independent preparation and production of nutritionally balanced meals for up to 24 people, catering to allergies and dietary requirements
• Provide a hot meal for lunchtime and a cold meal for teatime; prepare fresh soups and cakes
• Menu will be pre-arranged; no food orders to suppliers required
• Be mindful of health and nutritional value and the wellbeing of people at risk of food insecurity
• Manage the kitchen: track ingredients used, waste management, and maintain high cleaning and food safety standards
• Work collaboratively with venue staff; note you will be working alone in the kitchen with no KP or CA to assist
• Be outgoing, personable, decisive and confident in communications and people management

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• 6 months+ experience preparing and cooking healthy, nutritional, and balanced meals in a professional catering kitchen or busy community kitchen, including in a hostel service
• Demonstrable experience catering for significant numbers (up to 30) within defined service schedules and mealtimes
• Experience coordinating and managing food orders and deliveries; stock rotation to minimise waste
• Valid Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate; understanding of Health and Safety and Food Hygiene legislation; enhanced DBS certificate
• Experience keeping accurate kitchen records such as HACCP documentation, temperatures, stock levels, meals and cleaning schedules
• Good communication, strong interpersonal skills and friendly demeanour; can liaise with diverse staff and volunteers
• Excellent organisational and time management skills; ability to ensure timely and efficient food service
• Commitment to BHCC values on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; willingness to work flexibly; reliability for service users
• Ability to work alongside hostel staff and management and assist where required

Desirable

• Experience working with people experiencing food insecurity and/or vulnerable adults
• Adult safeguarding training (or willing to undergo)
• NVQ Level 2 in Food Safety; knowledge of vulnerable client groups
• Experience managing individuals with challenging behaviours
• Experience in roles requiring clear boundaries and professional distance

Skills and Competencies

• Good communicator; clear and direct in speech and writing
• Participant observer; thoughtful and reflective
• Mediation skills; ability to resolve conflict
• Ability to tolerate stress and recognise personal limits
• Capacity to work reflectively; show compassion and optimism

Key Result Areas

• Improve employment opportunities, motivation and work readiness for people experiencing homelessness
• Improve self-esteem and self-confidence of people who experience homelessness
• Contribute to a more tolerant local community to reduce stigma

Application

Ready to serve up something great? Apply now by sending your CV.