Second Chef Bank

Care UK Plc; Adderbury; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care home provider in the UK is seeking an experienced Second Chef to lead the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence and develop nutritious meals tailored to residents' dietary needs. The role involves collaboration with the catering team for culinary innovation and maintaining high kitchen standards. Candidates should possess a Catering Diploma and NVQ in cookery. This position offers sociable hours, competitive pay, and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Competitive rates of pay

Opportunities for career progression

Quality and free training

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme 24/7

Qualifications

• Catering Diploma and NVQ 2/3 in practical cookery required.
• Experience in care home or stock control is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen during the Head Chef’s absence.
• Develop well-balanced meals considering dietary needs.
• Collaborate with the catering team for culinary development.

Skills

Nutritionally balanced menu planning

Leadership in kitchen

Collaboration skills

Education

Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC)

NVQ 2/3 in practical cookery

Health and Safety Certificate (level 2)

Food Hygiene Certificate (level 2)

Job description

Overview

If you’re an aspiring chef with experience gained in a high paced kitchen environment and are looking for a rewarding role offering great training, work life balance and the chance to be part of a catering team that are award winning, join Care UK as a Second Chef and make a real difference.

What you’ll be doing

• Take a leadership role in running the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence.
• Work with modern kitchen equipment and fresh local produce to develop nutritious, well-balanced meals for residents, considering dietary needs.
• Help develop menus and consult with residents to ensure their needs and choices are met.
• Maintain standards, ensure deadlines are met, and support team discipline and morale.
• Collaborate with the catering team to raise standards through culinary development, innovation and new ideas.

Put simply, it’s about making a real difference in residents’ lives.

What you’ll need

• Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC) and NVQ 2/3 in practical cookery.
• Health and Safety and Food Hygiene Certificates (minimum level 2).
• Good knowledge of nutritionally balanced menu planning and the ability to cater for specific dietary needs.
• Experience in a care home and/or stock control or budgeting is helpful but not essential.
• A natural ability to help make the lives of others more fulfilling and a willingness to work in a hard, but rewarding environment.

Benefits

• Alternate weekend working and sociable working hours.
• Competitive rates of pay with ongoing local market reviews.
• Opportunities to progress through personalised career paths into Head Chef opportunities.
• Refer a friend scheme of up to £1000 depending on role.
• Quality and free training to develop and enhance skills.
• Bank holiday enhancements.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free DBS.
• Discounts across retailers for holidays, groceries, travel and more.
• Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7.

One of the UK’s leading care home providers, Care UK runs over 120 homes and day clubs across the UK, offering residential, nursing, dementia and end-of-life care for older people. We are a top-rated employer focused on helping every employee fulfil their potential through first-class training and support.

Fulfilling lives, fulfilling careers.