Location: Lymington, Hampshire
Hours: 16 hours per week,: ideally Tuesday and Wednesday – 9am – 5.30 with a 30 minutes unpaid break, with flexibility to work additional hours to cover annual leave and support functions and events.
Salary: £12,546.56 per annum (FTE £29,406 per annum)
Closing Date: 23 August 2026
Make Every Meal Matter
At Oakhaven Hospice, we provide expert, compassionate care and support to patients and families living with life-limiting illnesses across the New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities.
We believe that food is much more than nourishment. A freshly prepared meal can bring comfort, create connection, and enhance wellbeing during some of life's most challenging moments.
We are looking for a dedicated and talented Chef to join our Catering Team. This is a rewarding opportunity to use your culinary skills to make a genuine difference to patients, their families, staff and volunteers, while supporting the wider work of our charity.
About the Role
As a Chef at Oakhaven Hospice, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality catering services across the organisation. Working as part of a friendly and supportive team, you will:
- Prepare and serve nutritious, appetising and well-balanced meals for patients, families, staff and visitors.
- Contribute to our external catering activities and fundraising events, helping to generate income that supports hospice care.
- Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation and customer service.
- Ensure the kitchen and food preparation areas remain clean, safe and compliant with all relevant regulations.
- Support and supervise volunteers working within the catering team.
- Assist in managing resources effectively and delivering services within budget.
- Help create positive dining experiences that support health, wellbeing and dignity.
About You
We're looking for someone who is passionate about food and takes pride in delivering excellent service. You will have:
- NVQ Level 2 in Catering, Professional Cookery, or equivalent qualification.
- Food Hygiene certification.
- Knowledge of Food Hygiene, HACCP, COSHH, Health & Safety and allergen regulations.
- Previous experience in a similar catering or chef role.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- A positive, flexible approach and the ability to work as part of a team.
- A warm personality and a good sense of humour.
Why Join Oakhaven Hospice?
In return, we offer a supportive and rewarding working environment, alongside an excellent benefits package including:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees).
- Additional long-service leave awards at 5 and 10 years.
- Auto-enrolment pension scheme.
- Life Assurance cover.
- Cash Health Plan.
- Employee Assistance Programme, including access to the Help@Hand wellbeing app from Unum.
- Excellent learning, training and development opportunities.
- Dedicated wellbeing support.
- A caring, inclusive and values-driven workplace where your contribution truly matters.
Join Us
If you're a skilled Chef looking to use your experience in a role with real purpose, we'd love to hear from you. Join Oakhaven Hospice and help create moments of comfort, care and connection through the meals you prepare every day.
Pay: £12,546.56 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Lymington, Hampshire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Do you hold an NVQ Level 2 in catering, professional cookery or equivalent qualification?
- Please submit a covering letter outlining your relevant experience and transferable skills. Applications submitted without a covering letter will not be considered.
Experience:
- Catering: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
