Assistant Cook

Assistant Cook

Location: Langworthy Cornerstone, 451 Liverpool Street, Salford M6 5QQ
Pay: £13.45 per hour
Hours: 18-25, Monday- Friday between 8:30AM-4:30PM
Contract: Permanent, subject to 6 month probation review
Work Location: In person

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Cook to join our Jigsaw Café team.

This is a hands-on food preparation and cooking role. You will work alongside our Lead Cook to prepare and cook food for café customers and community activities, while helping to keep the kitchen organised, clean and running smoothly.

We are looking for someone who enjoys cooking, takes pride in preparing good food and wants to develop their skills in a friendly community café environment.

You do not need to be a professional chef. We are particularly interested in people with practical cooking experience who are confident using a kitchen and are keen to learn and develop.

Key responsibilities

Food preparation and cooking

• Prepare and cook meals, snacks and other food for the café.
• Assist with daily food preparation, including chopping, weighing, portioning and preparing ingredients.
• Follow recipes and agreed food preparation procedures.
• Support the Lead Cook with preparing and cooking the café menu.
• Help prepare food for café service and community activities.
• Ensure food is prepared and presented to a good standard.
• Follow food hygiene, allergen and food safety procedures.
• Ensure food is stored, labelled and rotated correctly.
• Help minimise food waste and use ingredients efficiently.
• Assist with trying and preparing new dishes where appropriate.

Kitchen support

• Keep the kitchen and food preparation areas clean, tidy and organised.
• Complete cleaning tasks in line with café procedures.
• Support stock checks and stock rotation.
• Help put food deliveries away safely and correctly.
• Ensure kitchen equipment and work surfaces are kept clean.
• Report any food, equipment or stock issues to the Lead Cook.
• Work safely and responsibly at all times.

Café and team support

• Work closely with the Lead Cook and other café staff.
• Support café service when required.
• Help prepare and serve food to customers.
• Provide friendly and welcoming customer service.
• Support volunteers with simple food preparation tasks where appropriate.
• Be willing to learn new recipes, cooking techniques and café procedures.
• Contribute to a positive and supportive team environment.

What we're looking for

We are looking for someone who enjoys cooking and wants to work in a kitchen-based role.

You should have:

• Practical experience of preparing and cooking food.
• Confidence using basic kitchen equipment.
• An understanding of food hygiene and safe food preparation.
• Awareness of allergens and dietary requirements.
• Good organisation and attention to detail.
• A positive and reliable attitude.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• The ability to follow recipes, instructions and food safety procedures.
• A willingness to learn and develop your cooking skills.
• The ability to work calmly and effectively as part of a small team.

Desirable

• Food Hygiene Level 2 qualification.
• Experience working in a café, kitchen, catering or food service environment.
• Experience preparing food for larger groups.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience working in a community, charity or similar setting.
• An interest in healthy, affordable and nutritious cooking.

About Jigsaw Café

Jigsaw Café is part of Langworthy Cornerstone, a community-focused healthy living centre serving local residents and the wider community.

The café provides affordable food in a welcoming community environment and also provides opportunities for volunteers to develop practical skills and experience.

If you enjoy cooking, take pride in preparing good food and would like to develop your skills as part of a friendly community-focused team, we'd love to hear from you.

This post is subject to satisfactory references, DBS check and proof of legal right to work in the UK.

Pay: £13.45 per hour

Expected hours: 18.0 – 25.0 per week

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person