Kitchen Assistant Kitchen Assistant

HC-One Ltd.; Honiton; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care home provider in the UK seeks a passionate Kitchen Assistant to deliver high-quality care through food. You will help prepare and serve nutritious meals while maintaining kitchen hygiene and supporting residents with dietary needs. Applicants should have some kitchen experience and excellent communication skills, with support available for professional development. Competitive hourly wage and various employee benefits are provided.

Benefits

£13.85 to £14.35 per hour

Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG

Free uniform

Nutritious meal during shifts

Company pension scheme

28 days of annual leave

Group life assurance

Wagestream for financial wellbeing

Learning and development support

Online GP consultations

Colleague discounts

Recognition schemes

Refer-a-friend scheme

Qualifications

• Some kitchen experience preferred.
• Real passion for helping others.
• Required or willing to work towards NVQ2 in Catering or Food Preparation.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent customer-facing communication skills.
• Safeguarding awareness and willingness to undertake training.
• Ability to seek advice and report concerns.

Responsibilities

• Assist with meal preparation under the direction of the Chef or Cook.
• Serve meals with warmth and respect.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen.
• Monitor and record food storage temperatures.
• Support stock rotation and ensure proper storage of ingredients.
• Show new team members how to use kitchen equipment.
• Ensuring the kitchen remains spotless.

Job description

Overview

As a Kitchen Assistant, you'll play an essential role in delivering high-quality care through food. You'll help prepare and serve nutritious, well-balanced meals that support the health and wellbeing of our Residents—many of whom have specific dietary needs.

Responsibilities

• Assist with meal preparation under the direction of the Chef or Cook
• Serve meals with warmth and respect in a timely and friendly manner
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen, including equipment and surfaces
• Monitor and record food storage temperatures (fridges, freezers, etc.)
• Support stock rotation and ensure ingredients are properly stored
• Show new team members how to safely use kitchen equipment
• Wash up and ensure the kitchen remains spotless, even after busy periods

Qualifications and Experience

• Some kitchen experience preferred
• Real passion for helping others
• Required or willing to work towards NVQ2 in Catering or Food Preparation
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to follow recipes and record information accurately
• Excellent customer-facing communication, with patience, respect, and kindness in interactions with Residents and coworkers
• Safeguarding awareness and willingness to undertake safeguarding training appropriate to the role
• Ability to seek advice and report concerns, including escalation if action is not taken

About HC-One

At HC-One, kindness is a core value. We believe in supporting residents to live their best lives and in nurturing five key qualities—the HC-One Way: curiosity, compassion, creativity, courage, and dependability. We champion inclusivity and support a diverse workforce. We are continuing to enhance digital care planning to streamline care and daily tasks. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and prioritise inclusive working practices, with opportunities to grow through digital capabilities and professional development.

Benefits and Career Development

• £13.85 to £14.35 per hour (location-specific terms apply)
• Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG
• Free uniform
• A nutritious meal during shifts of eight hours or more
• Company pension scheme
• 28 days of annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• Group life assurance
• Wagestream for financial wellbeing and flexible access to pay
• Award-winning learning and development and support to achieve qualifications
• GP online service for around-the-clock consultations
• Colleague discounts and wellbeing resources (Employee Assistance Programme)
• Recognition schemes such as “Kindness in Care” and Long Service Awards
• Refer-a-friend scheme (up to £1,000 per referral, depending on role)

All colleagues are required to attend safeguarding training appropriate to their role and to undertake additional training in associated areas. You will be supported every step of the way, with clear career pathways and ongoing development.