We are seeking an experienced and motivated Chef to join our catering team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering a high-quality catering service for patients, staff and visitors, ensuring meals are nutritious, safe, and prepared to the highest standards.
About You
Relevant experience working as a Chef or in a professional kitchen environment
Knowledge of food hygiene, food safety legislation and HACCP
Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
Strong communication and teamwork skills
Flexible approach to working hours and duties
Commitment to ongoing training and development
This role is based at Oxford Clinic, Littlemore Mental Health Centre and is part-time, 28.5 average hours per week working a 2 week pattern - Week 1: Tuesday 09:00–17:30, Saturday 09:00–18:00, Sunday 09:00–18:00 Week 2: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 09:00–17:30. This role will benefit from enhanced weekend pay.
Please note that this role is currently under evaluation and the final grading/salary may be subject to change.
Main Duties
Provide high‑quality catering services for patients, staff and visitors, ensuring all food meets required nutritional, safety and presentation standards.
Maintain a safe, clean and hygienic working environment in line with legislation, Trust policies and daily work schedules.
Prepare ingredients for cooking or cold processing, including salads, desserts and other menu items.
Cook food to the correct temperatures, ensuring quality, taste and consistency are maintained.
Process and prepare meals for patients with special dietary requirements, liaising with nursing and clinical staff where necessary.
Receive, check and record deliveries, including time, date, temperature, quantity and condition of goods.
Assist in developing and producing a diverse four‑week seasonal menu in collaboration with the food services dietician.
Ensure all food produced meets nutritional standards and individual dietary needs.
Complete all required documentation, including HACCP records, food safety logs, wastage reports and cleaning schedules.
Report equipment faults or maintenance needs promptly to the supervisor.
Maintain effective stock control, ensuring efficient use of resources and correct storage of supplies.
Participate in all required training, including travel to designated training locations.
Respond to complaints and service issues in a timely, professional manner.
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”
Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
- Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the “supporting statement” element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
