Cook / Kitchen Assistant – Maternity Cover
Hours: Various hours available – see schedules below
Pay:
- Cook: £14.00 per hour weekdays | £14.50 per hour weekends
- Kitchen Assistant: £13.00 per hour weekdays | £13.50 per hour weekends
- Contract:
- Temporary maternity cover, with training provided in readiness for the current postholder commencing maternity leave.
About the Role
We are looking for a caring, reliable and enthusiastic Cook and/or Kitchen Assistant to join our care home team on a temporary maternity-cover basis.
The current postholder undertakes both the Cook and Kitchen Assistant roles to create a full-time position. We are therefore happy to consider applicants for either role individually, or for someone who would like to combine both roles to create a full-time position.
The successful applicant will receive training alongside the current postholder before they commence maternity leave, allowing sufficient time to become familiar with our kitchen, residents, menus, routines and standards.
This is an important role within our care home, helping to ensure that our residents receive nutritious, enjoyable meals and that the kitchen is maintained to a high standard.
Cook
As a Care Home Cook, you will be responsible for preparing and serving nutritious, appetising and well-balanced meals for our residents.
You will need to be confident working independently while also being able to work as part of the wider care home team. An understanding of the needs of older people and the importance of individual dietary requirements is highly desirable.
Main responsibilities include:
- Preparing, cooking and presenting meals to a high standard for our residents.
- Following planned menus and ensuring meals are prepared on time.
- Catering for individual dietary requirements, allergies, intolerances and special diets.
- Taking account of residents' preferences and ensuring meals are appealing and nutritious.
- Preparing breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks as required.
- Ensuring appropriate portion sizes and food presentation.
- Maintaining high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and kitchen safety.
- Following food safety procedures and maintaining appropriate records.
- Checking food deliveries and ensuring food is stored correctly.
- Monitoring stock levels and minimising food waste.
- Cleaning and maintaining kitchen equipment and work areas.
- Working alongside care staff to ensure residents' nutritional needs are supported.
- Supporting a welcoming, homely mealtime environment for residents.
- Following all relevant care home policies and procedures.
Previous experience working as a Cook, particularly within a care home or similar setting, would be advantageous. A relevant food hygiene qualification is desirable.
Kitchen Assistant
As a Kitchen Assistant, you will support the Cook and wider kitchen team in the day-to-day running of the care home kitchen.
This is a varied role and would suit someone who is organised, hardworking and takes pride in maintaining a clean and welcoming kitchen environment.
Main responsibilities include:
- Assisting with the preparation of meals, snacks and drinks.
- Supporting the Cook with food preparation and service.
- Preparing vegetables, salads, desserts and other food items as required.
- Serving meals and drinks to residents.
- Assisting with setting up and clearing dining areas.
- Washing dishes, crockery, cutlery and kitchen equipment.
- Keeping kitchen areas, work surfaces and equipment clean and hygienic.
- Following food hygiene, health and safety and infection-control procedures.
- Correctly storing food and assisting with stock rotation.
- Checking dates and maintaining good food storage practices.
- Supporting with deliveries and putting stock away.
- Emptying bins and carrying out general kitchen duties.
- Working as part of the care home team to ensure residents receive a positive mealtime experience.
- Carrying out other reasonable kitchen duties as required.
Previous kitchen or catering experience is desirable but not essential. Full training will be provided for the right candidate.
Working Hours
The hours follow a four-week rota.
Cook
Week 1
- Thursday: 7:00am – 3:00pm
Week 2
- Wednesday: 7:00am – 3:00pm
- Thursday: 7:00am – 3:00pm
Week 3
- Friday: 7:00am – 3:00pm
- Saturday: 7:00am – 3:00pm
Week 4
- Sunday: 7:00am – 3:00pm
- Thursday: 7:00am – 3:00pm
Pay: £14.00 per hour Monday–Friday and £14.50 per hour Saturday–Sunday.
Kitchen Assistant
Week 1
- Tuesday: 8:00am – 6:30pm
- Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:30pm
- Saturday: 8:00am – 6:30pm
Week 2
- Sunday: 8:00am – 6:30pm
- Tuesday: 2:00pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday: 2:00pm – 6:30pm
Week 3
- Monday: 8:00am – 6:30pm
- Tuesday: 8:00am – 6:30pm
Week 4
- Monday: 8:00am – 6:30pm
- Wednesday: 2:00pm – 6:30pm
Pay: £13.00 per hour Monday–Friday and £13.50 per hour Saturday–Sunday.
Combined Cook & Kitchen Assistant Role
For the right candidate, there is an opportunity to combine the Cook and Kitchen Assistant hours into one full-time position.
This would be particularly suitable for someone who enjoys a varied role and is confident undertaking both cooking and general kitchen duties.
If applying for the combined position, you would receive training in both roles and would work across the Cook and Kitchen Assistant rota.
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- Reliable, punctual and well organised.
- Friendly, approachable and caring towards our residents.
- Passionate about providing good-quality food.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Comfortable working in a busy kitchen environment.
- Committed to high standards of cleanliness and food hygiene.
- Able to follow menus, recipes and dietary requirements.
- Flexible and willing to support colleagues when required.
- Respectful of the needs, preferences and dignity of our residents.
- Keen to learn and take on new responsibilities.
Experience in a care home, catering, hospitality or kitchen environment would be beneficial, but we will consider applications from candidates who demonstrate the right attitude and willingness to learn.
Important Information – Maternity Cover
This position is currently being offered as temporary maternity cover.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to train alongside the current postholder before they commence maternity leave. This will provide a thorough handover and allow the successful applicant to become familiar with the role, kitchen routines, menus, residents' requirements and day-to-day expectations.
The position is therefore ideally suited to someone who can commit to the maternity-cover period and is available to complete the required training beforehand.
How to Apply
When applying, please clearly state:
- Which role you are applying for – Cook or Kitchen Assistant; and
- Whether you would also be interested in undertaking both roles combined as a full-time position.
Please include details of any relevant experience you have, particularly in catering, cooking, hospitality, kitchen work or a care home environment.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming the successful candidate to our team.
Pay: £13.00-£14.50 per hour
Expected hours: 8.0 – 39.5 per week
Work Location: In person
