The Cook Leader plays a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality food and service at Penpergwm House. This role combines hands-on cooking, team leadership, and operational oversight to maintain excellence, consistency, and innovation in the kitchen. The Cook Leader will support the Catering Manager in creating a safe, efficient, and productive environment while providing a superior culinary experience for our clients.
Reporting to: Catering Manager & General Manager
Hours: 24 hrs per week on average. Must be flexible hours to ensure the ability to work all shifts.
PLEASE NOTE DUE TO OUR RURAL LOCATION, BEING A DRIVER IS VERY MUCH PREFERABLE.
Culinary Leadership & Food Quality:
- Suggest and implement creative cooking ideas, incorporating variety, freshness, and client preferences.
- Contribute to menu planning, ensuring client choice, dietary requirements and IDDSI standards are met.
- Lead by example in delivering high-quality food and service, checking dishes before they leave the kitchen.
- Oversee kitchen equipment, reporting on wear, usability, and making improvement suggestions.
- Manage pantry and fridge/freezer stock, ensuring correct labelling, adherence to standard and rotation of supplies.
- Monitor stock levels, communicate shortages and support supplier orders.
- Support the Catering Manager in achieving departmental efficiency, safety and productivity.
Team Management & Staff Development:
- Act as a direct line manager for Cooks and Catering Assistants, supporting the Catering Manager in team oversight.
- Ensure concise and accurate handovers and maintain consistency across shifts.
- Lead effective communication between the Catering Manager, cooks, and care assistants.
- Encourage teamwork within the kitchen and across other departments.
- Deputise for the Catering Manager when required, resolving issues during shifts.
- Enforce food hygiene, health, and safety standards, providing constructive feedback to staff.
Health, Safety & Compliance:
- Maintain knowledge of recipes, allergens, and dietary requirements.
- Support HACCP management, health and safety compliance, and kitchen cleanliness.
- Report risks or hazards promptly to the Catering Manager.
- Ensure all catering staff adhere to company policies and regulations.
Other Duties:
- Assist the Catering Manager with administrative tasks, communications, and documentation.
- Promote consistency, professionalism, and exemplary uniform standards across shifts.
- Undertake any reasonable duties as directed by the Catering Manager.
Skills & Qualifications:
- L3 in Food Hygiene
- Proven experience in a catering or professional kitchen environment.
- Strong culinary knowledge, creativity, and menu planning experience.
- Leadership and team management skills.
- Knowledge of IDDSI standards and dietary requirements preferred.
- Excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
- Awareness of food hygiene, health, and safety regulations.
Pay: £14.00-£14.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
