Second Chef

The Runwood Group; Heybridge; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days Paid Holiday

Weekly Pay

Pension Scheme

Blue Light Card and discounts

Job summary

Runwood Homes is seeking a Second Chef to join our hospitality team and deliver hotel and restaurant standard meals for residents. You will support the Head Chef and lead in their absence, ensuring quality, presentation, and smooth kitchen operations.

We prioritise safe food handling, portion control, and meeting individual dietary requirements while maintaining high standards and ongoing staff development in a dementia-care setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering environments with knowledge of special dietary and nutritional requirements.
• Ability to implement portion control procedures and minimize waste.
• Secure understanding of dietary needs and nutrition requirements.
• Deputise for Head Chef when required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver meals to high standards in line with menus.
• Assist Head Chef and lead in their absence.
• Ensure compliance with Food Hygiene Regulations and safety standards.
• Monitor stock, rotate orders, and manage portion control.
• Adapt dishes to dietary requirements and maintain quality and presentation.

Skills

Stock control

Dietary adaptations

Food safety compliance

Leadership

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Catering

Food Hygiene Level 2

Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Second Chef to join our Hospitality team. Working as a Second Chef at Runwood Homes, you will have the chance to deliver hotel and restaurant standard meals, without the split shifts and long hours. We are looking for warm, motivated, and passionate Second Chefs who are driven by quality and high standards, to deliver person centred hospitality to our residents. Our Second Chefs support our Head Chefs, and take the lead in their absence.

• To ensure that all stages of food preparation are maintained to the highest standards ensuring the well-being of residents.
• To ensure the cooking and serving of meals are in accordance with the menu, the Company requirements.
• To ensure compliance with the Food Safety & Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 / Food Hygiene Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006
• To ensure the quality of meals produced in terms of presentation and taste.
• To ensure that portion control procedures are maintained ensuring waste is kept to a minimum.
• Ensure individual dietary requirements are met (e.g. high calorie, low sugar etc.) by following appropriate quantity, charts and recipes or adapting dishes if required.
• To ensure that the necessary systems and checks are maintained in order to provide a safe, healthy and efficient working environment.
• To ensure all food and other items are stored correctly.
• To monitor stock, maintain effective stock rotation and place orders where required.
• To deputise for the Head Chef where required.
  The successful Second Chef will have relevant experience within a catering environment. You will have a secure understanding of special dietary and nutritional requirements, and be able to implement methods to ensure these needs are met. You will also have your Food Hygiene Level 2, and ideally an NVQ Level 2.

At Runwood Homes, we prioritise the professional development of our staff by investing in comprehensive internal, external, and e-training programs at all levels. This dedication to continuous learning and growth ensures that our team is equipped to provide the highest quality of care to our residents. As we look towards the future, our reputation for delivering innovative care for individuals living with dementia continues to flourish. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of care excellence and setting new standards in the industry. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of adults. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Benefits of working with Runwood Homes:

• 28 days Paid Holiday
• Weekly Pay
• Pension Scheme
• Blue Light Card and access to various other discounts on travel, restaurants, days out and leisure
• Employee Assistance Scheme that is also available to immediate family members
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
• Free DBS Check and uniform
• Funding and support towards obtaining NVQs
• Opportunities to progress your career within the company
• Employee of the Month awards