Kitchen Assistant

Excelcare; Great Warley; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday

Free on-site parking

Bank holiday pay enhancement

Refer a Friend £500

DBS paid by employer

Apprenticeship funded

Paid uniform

Employee of the month £100

Team appreciation week

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

Excelcare, a family‑owned care home group, is hiring a Kitchen Assistant for Winifred Dell Care Home in Brentwood, Essex. You will support the chef to prepare nutritious meals and help create a welcoming dining experience for residents.

You will work 30 hours per week, 8am to 6pm, three days a week, with alternate weekends. The role requires hygiene standards, good teamwork and a passion for fresh, home‑made dishes.

Qualifications

• Experience in a commercial kitchen serving large numbers.
• Ability to prepare nutritious, fresh meals to residents.
• Knowledge of basic food hygiene and safety standards.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Good communication with residents and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chef to prepare and cook nutritious, healthy meals using fresh ingredients.
• Follow scheduled meal plans and respect dietary requirements.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene in the kitchen.
• Support at mealtimes to enhance the dining experience for residents.
• Respect residents' choice and preferences.
• Check kitchen equipment and report faults to the Chef.
• Adhere to Health & Safety guidelines and cross-infection controls.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Food hygiene

Interpersonal skills

Education

Level 2 catering qualification

Job description

Location: On site / Essex Way, Great Warley, Warley, Brentwood CM13 3AX, UK
job type: Permanent / Full or part-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Healthcare Assistants
HourlyFixed salary:£ 13.45

We are looking for aKitchen Assistantto join ourWinifred Dell Care Home in Brentwood, Essex.You will become part of a compassionate and welcoming team providing physical, emotional, and social support and most importantly outstanding meal experiences for the people living in our care home.Your dedication, reliability and support will make a difference every day.

Excelcare is a family‑owned care home group established for over 34 years.We provide the highest standards of care to older people with a range of needs including dementia, physical disabilities, and mental health issues.

• Salary: £13.45 per hour
• 30 hours a week
• 8am - 6pm X 3 times a week between Monday and Sunday
• You will be required to work alternate weekends (Saturday AND Sunday)

About the role:

• As a Kitchen Assistant, you will be required to assist the Chef to prepare and cook nutritious, healthy meals using fresh ingredients for the people living in our care home
• Work to scheduled meal plans paying attention to individual dietary requirements
• Always maintain excellent standards of hygiene
• Work in a fast-paced environment and support at mealtimes with the dining experience
• Respecting choice and preferences of the people we care for
• Check kitchen equipment and report any concerns or faults to the Chef.
• Understanding of Health & Safety, particularly in respect of Basic Food Hygiene, COSHH, safe moving and Handling and working within guidelines relating to cross infection

What we are looking for from you:

• Experience of working in a commercial kitchen for large numbers.
• A passion for preparing and cooking fresh, tasty, home‑made menu options.
• A Level 2 qualification would be desirable or considerable experience in a catering environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills as you will be involved in meaningful engagement with our residents to ensure they receive a high standard meal-time experience and are offered choice.
• Attention to required food standards and health and safety requirements.

What we offer in return for your hard work:

• 28 Days holiday including bank holidays
• Free on‑site parking*
• Enhancement to pay on bank holidays
• Refer a Friend Scheme rewarding £500 for every person you refer
• DBS certificate paid by Excelcare*
• Funded qualifications via the apprenticeship programme (where required)
• Paid uniform
• Employee of the month - £100 for outstanding contribution
• Team appreciation week
• Blue Light Card reimbursement – where you can access a wide range of discounts.

*Terms and Conditions apply