Job Purpose
By getting to know our residents, you will create and produce a varied, nutritionally balanced, tasty and an appetising menu that will satisfy all dietary needs and preferences of the residents prepared in a safe, hygienic and efficient catering area by skilled and trained personnel.
Principal Responsibilities
1. Food Planning and Preparation
- Prepare and cook meals which consist of however not limited to breakfast, lunch, supper and mid meal snacks for residents that are tasty, attractive, appetising and nutritious.
- Consult and involve residents in planning choice-based menus that deliver nutritionally balanced and attractively presented meals ensuring dietary and cultural requirements are catered for, for example vegetarian, kosher, gluten free foods or other allergies.
- Work with the nursing and care team to ensure that resident’s special dietary needs are met including the preparation of soft and pureed foods according to dysphagia guidelines, ensuring that such foods are presented appropriately and attractively. When necessary, work closely with any health specialists who may be involved with resident’s safety and nutrition, e.g. Speech and Language Therapist, Dietician.
- Work closely with the activity co-ordinator/ Home Manager and manage catering for themed meals/ special events/ seasonal activities such as Christmas, Pancake Day and summer fete, as well as celebration cakes for residents’ birthdays/ anniversaries.
- Cater for staff meals in accordance with staff meal allowances.
- Cater for additional meal requests by guests, visitors or relatives of residents and ensure they are charged accordingly.
- Undertake general kitchen duties including washing up, serving or cleaning in order to support the needs of the catering team.
2. Ordering, Stock Control and Monitoring.
- Order and maintain sufficient stocks of fresh, frozen and dry produce to ensure the smooth running of the kitchen whilst keeping in line with the food cost budget.
- Ensure sufficient food is produced to cater for all residents in the Home for all mealtimes whilst maintaining portion control and minimising wastage.
- Ensure household kitchenettes, restaurant, drinks & snack stations are kept stocked at all times and required stock are made available to non-catering staff to keep these areas maintained.
- Ensure that food is stored in the correct environment and at the correct temperature, rotating stocks as required and to comply with “use by” and “best before” dates making sure any out-of-date items are disposed of accordingly.
- Order and maintain sufficient stocks of approved cleaning products and equipment, ensuring that they are stored appropriately.
- Complete relevant catering audits as required, ensuring actions plans are written, shared with the team and completed, highlighting major areas of concern to the Home Manager.
3. Health, Safety and Hygiene
- Ensure that all food is stored, prepared, cooked and served in accordance with the Food Safety and Hygiene legislation requirements as outlined in the Merling Care HACCP Standards Manual and all record keeping is carried out in a timely manner.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen and food storage areas, ensure all kitchen equipment is in a safe and clean condition and report defects to the Home Manager.
- Ensure COSHH guidelines are followed, and only approved chemicals are used in the kitchen.
4. Corporate Responsibilities
- All Merling Care employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with all Merling Care Policies, Procedures and Guidelines and in accordance with applicable legislation and regulation, in particular the Health & Safety Policy and Risk Assessments.
- All Merling Care employees have an individual responsibility to ensure that they report to their manager any concerns, big or small, in relation to safeguarding the vulnerable adults in our care from abuse in accordance with Merling Care’s Safeguarding Policy and/or Whistleblowing Policy.
- Promote Merling Care’s charitable ethos, act as an ambassador for our services and support fundraising initiatives to maximise voluntary income for our charity.
No Job Description can cover every eventuality and the post holder is expected to carry out other duties from time to time.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: From £12.80 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 20.0 per week
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
