Senior Cook / Head Chef

NHS; Sherborne; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Sherborne is seeking a skilled Senior Cook/Head Chef to manage its catering operations. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership abilities and culinary expertise. Responsibilities include supervising the catering team, menu planning, budget management, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. This permanent role offers a generous holiday allowance, NHS pension, and on-site parking.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

NHS pension

Uniform provided

On-site free parking

Healthcare discount scheme

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of kitchen operation and food production.
• Experience in supervisory roles required.
• Understanding of Health and Safety procedures.
• Basic knowledge of financial resources is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support catering staff for smooth operation.
• Recruit, manage and train the catering team.
• Plan menus, orders, and manage budget control.
• Ensure food safety compliance and conduct audits.

Skills

Leadership skills

Culinary excellence

Knowledge of kitchen operations

Food safety understanding

Basic IT skills

Education

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

NVQ level 3 or equivalent

Tools

Food safety management systems

Job description

Job Summary

The Yeatman Hospital is seeking a skilled and experienced Senior Cook/Head Chef who is passionate about food and wants to make a difference.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for culinary excellence, strong leadership abilities, and a keen eye on detail.

As Senior Cook/Head Chef, you will have full operational and financial responsibility for the hospital's catering facility, leading the team to deliver the highest quality of food and service to 26 in-patients, as well as our staff and members of the public in our friendly hospital caf.

You must be able to work flexibly as part of a rota including working weekends and bank holidays.

Main Duties of the Job

• Supervising and supporting a small team of catering staff, ensuring the smooth day to day operation
• Recruiting, managing and training catering team
• Planning of menus, orders, deliveries and budget control
• Managing food safety, Health & Safety and Allergens legislation, overseeing food safety practices and compliance and conducting periodic audits

Requirements

• Desirable - Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate or willingness to undertake
• Strong knowledge of kitchen operation, food production and culinary techniques
• Excellent leadership and supervisory skills
• Understanding of HACCP, allergen regulations and best practice
• Awareness of COSHH regulation
• Basic IT skills/computer competence

Offer

• Permanent contract - no late nights
• Generous holiday allowance increasing with service
• NHS pension
• Uniform provided
• On-site free parking
• Healthcare discount scheme

Appointment

Appointment to this post is subject to a standard DBS certificate.

About Us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted 06 November 2025

Pay scheme Agenda for change

Band 3

Salary £24,937 to £26,598 a year p.a.

Contract Permanent

Working pattern Full-time

Reference number 152-S136.25

Job locations The Yeatman Hospital Hospital Lane Sherborne DT9 3JU

Person Specification

• Educated to NVQ level 3, OR City & Guilds 706/1 706/2 or equivalent level of training/experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area
• Understanding of Health and Safety procedures, HACCP, COSHH, Allergen principles
• Level 3 Food Hygiene training
• Experience of menu planning
• Previous NHS experience
• Understanding of therapeutic diets
• Basic knowledge of computers
• A clear understanding of financial resources
• Experience in a supervisory role

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer Details

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

The Yeatman Hospital Hospital Lane Sherborne DT9 3JU

Employer's Website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us