Caring since 1946, Strode Park Foundation provides vital care and support services, supported living opportunities and day and leisure services for young people and adults with a range of disabilities across Kent. Our values of Care, Inspire and Together underpin everything we do, and we are very proud to employ truly inspirational people who make our care settings a remarkable place to work.
Do you love creating fresh, tasty food that makes people feel at home? If you’re a qualified cook looking for flexible work, a better work-life balance, and the chance to make a genuine difference every day, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
At Platters Farm Lodge in Rainham, Kent, you’ll bring hotel and restaurant-quality standards into a warm, caring environment — without the split shifts and long weeks that often come with hospitality roles. As part of our friendly bank team, you’ll help create nutritious, flavoursome and well-balanced meals, working with residents to tailor menus around their needs, preferences and enjoyment.
We’re looking for warm, motivated and passionate cooks who care about quality, take pride in great food, and understand how much mealtimes can mean to the people we support. If you can help create a welcoming, homely experience for our residents, we’d love to hear from you.
This is a Bank Cook role paid at £12.80 per hour. From time to time, you may also be asked to support as a Bank Catering Assistant, paid at £12.71 per hour, when the service needs extra cover.
If you’re looking for flexible work that feels rewarding, supportive and meaningful, don’t join an agency — come and see what Strode Park Foundation has to offer.
Why join our bank team?
- Flexible working
- You pick the shifts you want to do – days, nights or weekends
- You’ll get comprehensive support from day one
- There’ll be training and development opportunities to develop your skills
What you’ll be doing
As a Bank Cook, you’ll play an important role in making mealtimes enjoyable, safe and meaningful for the people who live at Platters Farm Lodge. You will:
- Ensure residents' dietary needs are met.
- Design menus for residents.
- Liaise with the Registered Home Manager to plan and cost menus.
- Provide a balanced nutritious diet, making the best use of available fresh foods.
- Ensure full compliance with all food hygiene and safety regulations.
From day one, you’ll receive comprehensive support, with training and development opportunities to help you grow your skills and feel confident in your role.
About Platters Farm Lodge: Platters Farm Lodge provides short breaks, respite, rehabilitation and long-stay support for adults in Rainham, Medway. For some people, it is their permanent home. The service offers 24-hour care, including support for people living with dementia, in a vibrant, socially warm and inviting environment for individuals, families and friends. For further information, visit: Platters Farm Lodge
Because Platters Farm Lodge operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and bank holidays, we value reliable and flexible colleagues. We’re proud to be a ‘Flex from First’ employer and will consider all requests for flexible working — please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need.
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Competitive Rates of Pay
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Paid Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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Employer Pension Contributions
- Free Flu Jab
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Free Parking
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Refer a friend bonus
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Strode Lottery
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Staff Council
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Flexible Hours
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Cycle to Work Scheme
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Staff Newsletter and updates
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Staff Awards
About you
Our ideal Bank Cook will bring enthusiasm, care and confidence to the kitchen, along with:
- Experience of food preparation for up to 50 people in a commercial environment (or preferably a care home setting)
- Good communication skills
- Ability to work as part of a team in a collaborative and engaging way.
- Knowledge of allergens, and special dietary requirements.
- Knowledge and experience of food hygiene requirements.
Ready to bring your cooking skills to a role where they truly matter? Apply today — we’d love to welcome you to the Strode Park Foundation bank team.
Strode Park Foundation (“Strode Park”) is fully committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce and the elimination of unlawful and unfair discrimination. Strode Park truly values the differences that a diverse workforce brings to our organisation.
Our aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and for our service users and each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.
Strode Park will not discriminate because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. It will not discriminate because of any other irrelevant factor, and will build a culture that values meritocracy, openness, fairness and transparency.
