Second Chef

Bupa; Staines-upon-Thames; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 25 days

Bank holidays

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Staff restaurant access

Travel loan (interest-free)

Private healthcare

Bicycle loan

Retailer discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

New Victoria Hospital in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Second Chef to support the day-to-day operation of the hospital kitchen, delivering nutritious, high-quality meals to patients, visitors and colleagues.

Working with the Head Chef, you’ll ensure meals meet dietary and allergen requirements while maintaining food safety, portion control and cost awareness in a busy healthcare catering environment.

Qualifications

• Essential NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 in Professional Cookery.
• Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Significant experience working within a professional catering environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety legislation and kitchen hygiene standards.
• Experience of stock control, ordering and cost management.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced environment.
• Flexible approach with the ability to work across a 7-day rota.
• Desirable Previous experience within a healthcare or hospital setting.
• Advanced catering or culinary qualifications.
• Knowledge of specialist dietary requirements and therapeutic diets.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and present meals to consistently high standards.
• Support the planning and development of menus that are nutritious, varied and patient focused.
• Ensure all meals are produced in line with dietary, allergen and nutritional requirements.
• Assist with stock control, ordering and inventory management.
• Monitor food quality, portion control and presentation standards.
• Maintain rigorous food safety, hygiene and infection prevention standards.
• Complete daily kitchen documentation, including temperature monitoring and cleaning records.
• Minimise food waste and contribute to efficient cost management.
• Support and guide catering team members to ensure a collaborative and productive working environment.
• Deputise for the Head Chef when required.
• Contribute to catering for special events and functions across the hospital.
• Build positive working relationships with clinical and operational teams to support excellent patient care.

Skills

NVQ Level 2

NVQ Level 3

Food Hygiene Certificate

Healthcare catering experience

Stock control experience

Menu planning

Allergen knowledge

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Adaptability in fast-paced environment

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery

NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery

Tools

Stock control systems

Job description

Second ChefNew Victoria Hospital184 Coombe Lane West, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 7EGFull Time, 37.5 hours | PermanentCompetitive Pay and excellent Benefits Salary enhancements on weekends

We Make Health Happen At New Victoria Hospital, we're committed to delivering exceptional patient experiences through outstanding clinical care and support services. Great food plays an important role in a patient's recovery and overall experience, and we're looking for an experienced Second Chef to help us deliver high-quality, nutritious meals to patients, visitors and colleagues every day.

How You'll Help Us Make Health Happen

Working closely with the Head Chef, you'll support the day-to-day operation of the hospital kitchen, ensuring food is prepared and presented to the highest standards while complying with all food safety and hygiene requirements. You'll play a key role in delivering an exceptional dining experience by producing nutritious, high-quality meals and supporting the smooth running of a busy catering service.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and present meals to consistently high standards.
• Support the planning and development of menus that are nutritious, varied and patient focused.
• Ensure all meals are produced in line with dietary, allergen and nutritional requirements.
• Assist with stock control, ordering and inventory management.
• Monitor food quality, portion control and presentation standards.
• Maintain rigorous food safety, hygiene and infection prevention standards.
• Complete daily kitchen documentation, including temperature monitoring and cleaning records.
• Minimise food waste and contribute to efficient cost management.
• Support and guide catering team members to ensure a collaborative and productive working environment.
• Deputise for the Head Chef when required.
• Contribute to catering for special events and functions across the hospital.
• Build positive working relationships with clinical and operational teams to support excellent patient care.

What We're Looking For

• Essential NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 in Professional Cookery, Catering or equivalent qualification.
• Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Significant experience working within a professional catering environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety legislation and kitchen hygiene standards.
• Experience of stock control, ordering and cost management.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced environment.
• Flexible approach with the ability to work across a 7-day rota.
• Desirable Previous experience within a healthcare or hospital setting.
• Advanced catering or culinary qualifications.
• Knowledge of specialist dietary requirements and therapeutic diets.

Benefits

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days + bank holidays increasing with length of service
• In-house training for all staff
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Access to subsidised staff restaurant
• Interest free travel loanPrivate healthcare (T&Cs Apply)
• Bicycle Loan Scheme
• Retailer discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Part of a Globally Trusted Healthcare Group

Part of a Globally Trusted Healthcare Group

When you join New Victoria, you also become part of Bupa — a global healthcare leader with the scale, stability and expertise of a major international brand. Being backed by Bupa means access to an extensive network of clinical and operational specialists, shared best practice from across the organisation, and the support of well-established systems that help you grow, develop and deliver exceptional care. Our size gives us strength, while our purpose keeps us personal.

We champion diversity and want our people to reflect the communities we serve. Everyone is encouraged to "Be you at Bupa", and we actively welcome colleagues from all backgrounds and experiences. Bupa takes pride in being a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and will aim to offer an interview/assessment to disabled applicants who best meet the minimum criteria for the role. We're committed to ensuring you're treated fairly during the recruitment process and offer reasonable adjustments to anyone who may benefit from accommodations to the recruitment process.

Time Type: Full time Job Area: Locations: New Victoria Hospital Be at the heart of helping people live longer healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We employ more than 80,000 people globally who are making this a reality. If you've got the belief, the drive and the talent to help us in our ambition then we’d like to hear from you. Wherever you work, one thing stands out about Bupa people. Our customers are our passion – they’re at the heart of our positively different culture of care. At Bupa you’ll be challenged, you’ll be encouraged to innovate, and collaborate with colleagues who are committed to delivering exceptional experiences. We trust, respect and consider everyone, knowing your difference will make the difference.