Do you enjoy cooking food that genuinely matters to the people you serve?
At Watermoor House, food plays a central role in daily life — supporting nutrition, comfort and enjoyment. We are looking for a Cook who takes pride in preparing fresh, home-cooked meals for older people, many of whom live with dementia and long-term health conditions, and who understands the difference good food can make to wellbeing and dignity.
ABOUT THE ROLE
This is a hands-on cooking role, working closely with our Kitchen Manager to prepare fresh, nutritious and appetising meals that support residents’ health, wellbeing, and enjoyment of daily life.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Preparing and cooking fresh, nutritious meals that support residents’ health, wellbeing and enjoyment of food
- Working with the Kitchen Manager to support menus, meal planning and continuity across shifts
- Adapting meals to meet individual dietary needs, including texture-modified, vegetarian and medical diets
- Ensuring meals are served at the right time and temperature, including meals delivered to residents’ rooms
- Working to high food safety and hygiene standards within a kitchen rated 5★ by the Food Standards Agency
- Supporting baking and home-made refreshments for tea trolleys and social occasions
- Deputising for the Kitchen Manager when required, including placing routine orders
ABOUT YOU
This role would suit someone who:
- Has experience cooking fresh meals and takes pride in food quality and presentation
- Understands the importance of nutrition in later life
- Is kind, patient and respectful when working around older people
- Is organised and able to manage time effectively in a busy kitchen
- Is flexible and solution-focused when adapting meals to individual needs
- Works well as part of a team and communicates clearly
Experience cooking fresh meals is essential. Experience in a care or health setting is desirable but not required — we are happy to support the right person to learn.
ABOUT US
Watermoor House is a charitable residential care home supporting up to 39 older people in a beautiful Grade II listed Georgian manor in the heart of Cirencester.
As a charity, all our income is reinvested into improving the Home and enhancing residents’ quality of life. We are committed to providing compassionate, person-centred care and to creating a supportive, professional and respectful working environment for our staff.
What we can offer
In addition to competitive pay, Watermoor House offers:
- Paid breaks
- £2 per hour pay supplement on weekends
- Free home-cooked meals on duty
- Company pension scheme (Royal London)
- Regular supervision and appraisal, with training and development opportunities relevant to the role
- A supportive, values-led working environment
- Staff recognition, including Christmas and birthday gifts
- Enhanced sick pay (in addition to statutory entitlement) and occupational health support
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts
- Free on-site parking
- The opportunity to contribute to a well-run charitable organisation and make a genuine difference to residents’ everyday lives
Our values
At Watermoor House, our work is guided by our core values:
Caring | Integrity | Excellence | Proactivity | Curiosity | Teamwork
If you’re looking for a role where kindness, patience and professionalism are genuinely valued — and where you can make a real difference to people’s everyday experience — we would love to hear from you.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- This is a shift-based role and includes some weekend working. Working hours are generally between 7.00am and 7.00pm, in line with the kitchen rota.
- There may also be opportunities to pick up additional paid shifts to cover annual leave or sickness, where available.
- Applicants must have the right to work in the UK (we are unable to offer sponsorship).
- Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.
If you require any adjustments to the application process or have questions about the role, please contact us on 01285 654864 or email [email protected].
Safeguarding statement
Watermoor House is committed to safer recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We are committed to safeguarding adults at risk and will not appoint individuals who are unsuitable to work in a care setting. Any appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.
We reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore encourage early applications.
Pay: £13.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Cirencester GL7 1JR: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Are you able to obtain and maintain an Enhanced DBS check?
- This role includes alternate weekend working and kitchen shifts generally between 7.00am and 7.00pm. Are you able to work this pattern?
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
