Senior Care Kitchen Leader - Nutritious, Resident Meals

Monkstone House; Porthcawl; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Monkstone House Residential Home in Porthcawl is seeking a Head Cook to lead the kitchen team and ensure nutritious, appetising meals for residents. You will plan menus, supervise staff, manage stock and maintain high food-safety standards.

Full-time role 35 hours per week, with shifts 8am-3pm and 3pm-8pm, plus alternate weekends. You will work within CIW standards and the home's policies to support residents’ wellbeing and enjoyment.

Qualifications

• A recognised catering or professional cookery qualification is desirable.
• A current Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene qualification is essential; Level 3 Food Safety in Catering or willingness to achieve it is strongly preferred for this supervisory role.
• Previous experience cooking in a commercial kitchen is essential. Experience in a care home, healthcare or similar setting is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and practical experience of special diets, food allergens and IDDSI texture-modified food is required, or must be developed through training before working independently in these areas.
• Experience of supervising staff, producing rotas, ordering supplies, controlling stock and working within a budget is desirable.
• Good organisational, communication and record-keeping skills, including sufficient computer literacy for ordering, rotas and required records.
• A caring, patient and respectful approach, with a genuine understanding of the needs and rights of older people and people living with dementia.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and cook wholesome, nutritious and attractive meals, snacks and refreshments using agreed menus, recipes and portion guidance.
• Provide varied seasonal menus that offer residents meaningful choice and take account of feedback, cultural preferences, religious requirements and Welsh language or cultural needs where applicable.
• Prepare meals for individual dietary and medical requirements, including allergies, intolerances, diabetes, fortified or high-protein diets and other requirements recorded in residents' care plans.
• Prepare and present texture-modified food and thickened fluids safely and consistently in accordance with the current IDDSI framework and each resident's assessed requirements.
• Ensure meals are served at appropriate temperatures, properly portioned and presented attractively to encourage appetite, hydration and enjoyment.
• Provide suitable alternatives when a resident does not want the planned meal and respond promptly to changes in appetite or dietary needs.

Skills

Food safety

Kitchen leadership

Staff supervision

Menu planning

Budgeting

Education

Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene

Catering/pro cookery qualification desirable

Job description

Monkstone House Residential Home in Porthcawl is seeking a Head Cook to lead the kitchen team and ensure nutritious, appetising meals for residents. You will plan menus, supervise staff, manage stock and maintain high food-safety standards.

Full-time role 35 hours per week, with shifts 8am-3pm and 3pm-8pm, plus alternate weekends. You will work within CIW standards and the home's policies to support residents’ wellbeing and enjoyment.