TRAINEE CHEF

Cinnamon Care Collection; Ferndown; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid breaks

Uniforms

Staff meals

Nest Pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Care Workers Charity

Spice of Life – Discount Retail Scheme

Cycle Scheme

Eye Care

Refer a Friend Scheme

Reward vouchers

Quarterly & Annual Company Recognition

Job summary

Cinnamon Care Collection's Heathland House in Ferndown, Dorset, is offering a full-time Trainee Chef position. You will work with the head chef and kitchen team to deliver high-quality meals to residents, guests, and visitors.

You will be enrolled on or willing to enrol in NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking and gain hands-on experience with seasonal menus. Paid breaks, uniforms, staff meals, Nest Pension, EAP and other benefits accompany this role.

Qualifications

• Experience in kitchen environments with the ability to cook some meals and support menu development.
• Reliable, hardworking and compassionate with residents.
• Willingness to enrol on NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking or already enrolled.

Responsibilities

• Follow a 4-week rota developed by the head chef.
• Assist with quarterly review of menus in line with seasonal changes.
• Prepare, cook and present meals attractively, with a focus on home-cooked dishes.
• Provide breakfast service to residents and serve meals at lunch and supper times.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness in kitchen areas and manage stock and supplies.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Reliable

Compassionate

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking

Job description

A Top 20 Care Home Group 2026!

Awarded ‘One of the UK’s Best Companies to Work For’

Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role Heathland House is a stunning 66 bedded luxurious residential and dementia care home situated in Ferndown, Dorset.

Trainee Chef

• Full Time
• Ferndown, UK
• Posted 2 months ago
• 13.5913.59 GBP / Year

£13.59 Per Hour Plus Company Benefits

Full Time Hours

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Kitchen Assistant/Cook who wishes to progress to be a Trainee Chef under the mentorship and training of our Head Chef.

Working alongside our head chef and the kitchen team, you will provide a high quality catering and dining experience to all our residents, guests and visitors.

We are looking for someone who has enrolled on a NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking or will be willing to do so. You will need to have gained experience in a kitchen environment and can demonstrate some key cookery skills and knowledge. You will have the opportunity to attend food preparation workshops to support your training.

We are looking for someone who is reliable, a hard worker and can demonstrate a compassionate nature to our residents.

Our team member benefits include:

• Paid Breaks
• Uniforms
• Staff Meals
• Nest Pension
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Care Workers Charity
• ‘Spice of Life’ – Discount Retail Scheme
• Cycle Scheme
• Eye Care
• Refer a Friend Scheme
• Reward Vouchers
• Quarterly & Annual Company Recognition Awards

Main Responsibilities

• Follow a 4-week Rota, developed by the head chef.
• Assist with the quarterly review of menus, in line with seasonal changes.
• Prepare, cook and present meals attractively. The majority of the menu will be home cooked with minimal use of convenience foods. This will include home baked biscuits and cakes provided daily.
• Modified meals and snacks will be provided in line with operational procedures.
• Provide a breakfast service to our residents in line with their requests.
• Serve food to residents in dining areas at lunch and supper times ensuring a rotation of catering staff between communities of the care facility.
• Ensure that a high standard of cleanliness is maintained in the main and satellite kitchens.
• Understand how to order all catering supplies through nominated suppliers, managing budgets accordingly.
• Learn how to prepare food.
• Ensure that stock levels within the catering department are adequate, rotated, used effectively and secured at all times.

Person Specification

• Ability to organise and prioritise workload and work under pressure
• Energetic, passionate and proactive attitude
• Awareness of COSHH and CQC regulations
• Effective management and leadership skills
• Good communication skills with open and collaborative working
• The ability to work well within the team