Second Chef Bank

Care UK Plc; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care provider in the UK is seeking a Second Chef to join their team in Gateshead. The ideal candidate will thrive in a high-paced kitchen environment, taking a leadership role in the kitchen while ensuring dietary needs are met. Opportunities for career progression and a competitive pay structure are offered, alongside extensive training and support.

Benefits

Competitive rates of pay

Quality and free training

Cycle to work scheme

Discounts across retailers

Qualifications

• Experience in a care home is helpful but not essential.
• Good knowledge of nutritionally balanced menu planning.
• Willingness to work in a hard, but rewarding environment.

Responsibilities

• Take a leadership role in running the kitchen.
• Work with fresh local produce to develop meals.
• Maintain standards and support team morale.

Skills

Experience in a high-paced kitchen

Menu planning

Ability to cater for dietary needs

Education

Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC)

NVQ 2/3 in practical cookery

Health and Safety and Food Hygiene Certificates

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.