TRAINEE CHEF

Cinnamon Care Collection; New Milton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; 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 is seeking a Trainee Chef at Mornington Court in New Milton to grow under the guidance of our Head Chef. You will contribute to a high-quality catering and dining experience for residents, guests and visitors.

The role supports kitchen operations, with training toward NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking; prior kitchen experience is valued and you will attend food preparation workshops as part of your progression.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking in progress or willing to enrol.
• Gained kitchen experience and demonstrates basic cookery skills.
• Willingness to attend training/workshops with the Head Chef.

Responsibilities

• Follow a 4-week rota developed by the head chef.
• Assist with menu reviews and seasonal changes.
• Prepare and present meals, including home-baked items daily.
• Support with stock, ordering, and budget management.
• Provide breakfast service and serve meals at lunch and tea times.
• Maintain high cleanliness in kitchens.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Willing to develop NVQ Level 2

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking

Job description

Trainee Chef

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

Mornington Court is a luxury 57 bed care home that provides the most luxurious surroundings and the very best in residential and dementia care and support.

Contract & Location

• Full Time
• New Milton, UK
• Posted 6 days ago
• 13.5913.59 GBP / Year
• £13.59 Per Hour Plus Company Benefits
• Full Time Hours

Role Description

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.

Benefits

• 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