Kitchen Assistant

St Lukes; Basildon; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Thurrock Hospice in Basildon is recruiting a Kitchen Assistant on a bank basis to support our catering team in delivering nutritious meals for patients, staff and visitors. You will help with ingredient prep, plating, and serving, and assist with opening our new Seasons Bistro launching Summer 2026.

We welcome applicants at all career stages; a Level 2 Food Hygiene in Catering or equivalent is preferred. The role requires flexibility for early starts, some evenings and weekends, and the ability

Qualifications

• Experience in kitchen, catering or food preparation is desirable.
• Good communication and teamwork skills are essential.
• Willingness to follow recipes and hygiene guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Assist with ingredient prep, plating and serving following recipes and portion controls.
• Support storage, labeling and rotation of stock to maintain freshness.
• Maintain high cleanliness in kitchen and food preparation areas in line with regulations.
• Operate kitchen equipment under supervision and report faults or safety concerns.
• Assist with deliveries, unpacking and stock checks as needed.
• Support meeting meal service schedules and special dietary requests.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Communication

Team player

Education

Level 2 Food Safety in Catering

Job description

We are recruiting a Kitchen Assistant - (Bank Hours) to support our catering team in delivering nutritious, appetising meals for patients, staff and visitors. This role will also contribute to the opening team for our new Bistro, Seasons @ St. Luke's by AnuragFoodStory, launching in Summer 2026. The Bistro will offer a welcoming environment for the local community and provide opportunities for professional development within an innovative hospitality setting. We encourage applications from individuals at all stages of their careers.

In this role you will:

• Support preparation of ingredients and simple meal components in line with recipes and portion controls to ensure consistent quality and presentation.
• Assist with plating, portioning and serving meals following established hygiene and dietary guidelines.
• Carry out basic food preparation tasks such as washing, peeling, chopping and weighing ingredients safely and efficiently.
• Ensure correct storage, labelling and rotation of stock to maintain freshness and reduce waste.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness in the kitchen and food preparation areas, complying with Food Hygiene Regulations and internal policies.
• Operate kitchen equipment under supervision and report any faults or safety concerns promptly.
• Support deliveries, unpacking and stock rotation and assist with simple inventory checks and record keeping.
• Work closely with chefs, clinical and domestic teams to help meet meal service schedules and respond to special dietary requests.
• Adhere to all organisational policies including health and safety, confidentiality and infection control procedures.

• Have previous experience in a kitchen, catering or food preparation setting, or demonstrate a strong interest in starting a career in hospitality.
• Hold, or be willing to obtain, a recognised food hygiene qualification (Level 2 Food Safety in Catering or equivalent).
• Demonstrate practical food preparation skills, attention to detail and the ability to follow recipes and instructions accurately.
• Be organised, reliable and able to work effectively as part of a team under time constraints.
• Have good communication skills and a positive, flexible approach to work.
• Be willing to work a variety of shifts, which may include early starts, occasional evenings and weekends as service needs require.
• Be able to perform manual handling tasks and stand for extended periods; reasonable adjustments can be discussed where needed.

Contract: Bank (support on covering shifts on an ad-hoc basis) - please let us know your availability when applying

Hours: As and when needed, typical shifts will include 7:30am-3:30pm or 11am-7pm shifts, with occasional evenings and weekends as required.

Location: Thurrock Hospice

Right to work Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor work permits or visas.

Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage individuals from under-represented groups to apply. Adjustments can be made to support applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

We are a local charity providing compassionate care to people whose illnesses are no longer curable. We promote dignity in dying and empower people to make the choices they want, from the moment they are diagnosed.

Our care considers people's medical, spiritual and emotional needs, including support for loved ones and carers. Anyone living in Basildon and Thurrock can call on us 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Working alongside other healthcare providers, our specialist services are available at the hospice, out in the community or in a person's place of residence. Together, we fulfil people's choices at the end of their life.

We are a charity and the services we provide are free. We rely on voluntary income from local people to deliver the care they deserve.

Salary: £24,274.98-£25,550 per annum (depending on experience)