Temporary Chef — Leighton House Nursing Home
Leighton House Nursing Home is looking for a Temporary Chef to join our team on an initial one-month contract, with the potential to extend on an as-needed basis depending on service requirements.
This is a hands-on role at the heart of our home — cooking fresh, nutritious meals for our residents, including specialist textured and modified diets for residents living with dementia and swallowing difficulties (IDDSI compliant).
- Location: Leighton House Nursing Home, Epsom
- Contract type: Temporary — 1 month initial, extendable as needed
- Hours: 40 hours per week, days — flexible shifts including weekends
- Pay: From £15.00 per hour, dependent on experience
- Reports to: Home Manager
- Benefits: Free meals on shift, company pension, on-site parking
What you'll be doing
- Planning and cooking fresh, balanced meals for residents, including breakfast, lunch, and evening meals
- Preparing modified-consistency (IDDSI) and dementia-friendly meals, tailored to individual residents' care plans and dietary needs
- Catering for allergies, intolerances, and specific dietary requirements (diabetic, low-salt, vegetarian, cultural/religious diets, etc.)
- Managing kitchen stock, ordering, and stock rotation
- Maintaining full compliance with food hygiene, HACCP, and health & safety standards
- Keeping accurate food safety records (temperature checks, cleaning schedules, allergen records)
- Working closely with care staff to understand residents' changing dietary and nutritional needs
- Maintaining a clean, safe, and well-organised kitchen at all times
What we're looking for
- Previous experience as a chef or cook, ideally in a care home, hospital, or similar catering setting
- Understanding of (or willingness to learn) the IDDSI framework and modified-texture diets
- A genuine interest in nutrition for older adults and residents living with dementia
- Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
- Good understanding of allergen management and safe food handling
- A caring, flexible, and reliable approach — comfortable working independently as sole chef on shift
- Right to work in the UK
- Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to undergo one) — the home will support this process
Why join Leighton House
- Competitive hourly rate, reviewed based on experience
- Free meals provided on every shift
- Supportive Home Manager and wider care team
- Opportunity for the role to extend beyond the initial month
- The chance to make a real difference to residents' quality of life through food
Leighton House Nursing Home is an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Pay: From £15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Epsom KT17 4NB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (preferred)
Work Location: In person
