Relief Chef

Now Group; Belfast; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday pro-rata

Health cash plan

Pension scheme

Hybrid working options

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

NOW Group is seeking a Chef to provide short term kitchen coverage and support day-to-day operations. You will ensure high standards of cooking, food safety, hygiene and customer service while assisting NOW Group participants to develop skills and confidence in a supportive environment.

The role is temporary, initially 1–2 months, with potential extension based on operational needs. A strong focus on teamwork and adhering to allergen procedures is required, with opportunities within Loaf

Qualifications

• 1. Previous experience working as a chef or cook in a commercial kitchen.
• 2. Knowledge of food hygiene and food safety requirements.
• 3. Ability to work independently and manage kitchen operations.
• 4. Flexible and reliable with a positive approach to work.
• 1. Food Hygiene Certificate is desirable.
• 2. Experience in café/restaurant catering environments.
• 3. Experience working with people with barriers to learning.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals in line with menus, recipes, and quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations.
• Provide guidance and support to NOW Group participants on placement, helping them develop skills, confidence and positive workplace behaviours.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised kitchen environment.
• Monitor stock levels and report ordering requirements to the manager.
• Follow allergen management procedures and dietary requirements.
• Work collaboratively with kitchen and front-of-house colleagues.
• Support the efficient delivery of catering services during staff absence.
• Assist with cleaning, food storage, and kitchen record-keeping as required.

Skills

Chef experience

Food safety knowledge

Independent worker

Flexible and reliable

Education

Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2+)

Job description

We are Loaf Catering, we are a social enterprise supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future.

The Role

We are seeking a Chef to provide short term chef cover and support the day to day operation of the kitchen, ensuring high standards of food preparation, food safety, hygiene, and customer service are maintained. This role is a temporary relief position to provide absence and is expected to last initially an initial 1 to 2 month period, although this may be extended depending on operational needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals in line with menus, recipes, and quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations.
• Provide guidance and support to NOW Group participants on placement, helping them develop skills, confidence and positive workplace behaviours.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised kitchen environment.
• Monitor stock levels and report ordering requirements to the manager.
• Follow allergen management procedures and dietary requirements.
• Work collaboratively with kitchen and front-of-house colleagues.
• Support the efficient delivery of catering services during staff absence.
• Assist with cleaning, food storage, and kitchen record-keeping as required.

This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities determine.

What We Offer

We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and financial security

About The Role

Additional Information

• Employment is subject to an Enhanced AccessNI Disclosure Check.
• NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. Policies on safeguarding, recruitment of ex-offenders, and data protection are available upon request.

  Join NOW Group and be part of a team that makes a difference by transforming lives and creating brighter futures.

Required Criteria

• 1. Previous experience working as a chef or cook in a commercial kitchen.
• 2. Knowledge of food hygiene and food safety requirements.
• 3. Ability to work independently and manage kitchen operations.
• 4. Flexible and reliable with a positive approach to work.

Desired Criteria

• 1. Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above).
• 2. Experience working in a café, restaurant, or catering environment.
• 3. Experience working with people with barriers to learning.

About The Company

At the heart of the NOW Group’s mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.

One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (“Just A Minute”) Card - a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It’s a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.

The NOW Group’s impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.

Company Culture

At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It’s built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team — from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance — we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism into sustainable employment.

We don’t just work side by side — we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and it’s our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact.

In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These aren’t just statistics — each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted.

What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply — not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They don’t see targets — they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.

Company Benefits

Benefits at NOW Group

NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.

We prioritize health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counseling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health.

To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience.

Our flexible working initiatives, including a hybrid working model, and various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.

Vacation, Paid time off, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Long service recognition, Hybrid Working, On the job learning, Progression opportunities