Cook

Role Purpose

To provide nutritious, well-presented meals for residents in a warm, homely environment. The Cook is responsible for planning and preparing breakfast, lunch and snacks, taking into account individual dietary needs, preferences and cultural requirements, and for maintaining high standards of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve breakfast, lunch and snacks for residents in line with agreed menus and portion sizes.
• Adapt meals for special diets (e.g. diabetic, low salt, allergy-aware) and different textures/consistencies as required.
• Work with care staff to understand residents’ likes, dislikes and nutritional needs, updating records where required.
• Ensure that food is attractively presented and served on time.
• Follow all food safety, infection control and health & safety procedures at all times.
• Maintain a clean, tidy and well-organised kitchen, including fridges, freezers, ovens and storage areas.
• Carry out daily/weekly cleaning tasks and complete relevant checks and records (e.g. fridge/freezer temperatures).
• Support with ordering, receiving and rotating stock, ensuring good stock control and minimal waste.
• Safely store food, correctly label and date items, and monitor use-by dates.
• Comply with all policies and procedures, including safeguarding, confidentiality and GDPR.
• Work as part of the wider care home team, communicating clearly with colleagues about menus, mealtimes and residents’ needs.
• Welcome feedback from residents, families and colleagues and use it to improve the catering service.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Previous experience working as a Cook/Chef, ideally in a care home, school, hospital or similar setting.
• Basic knowledge of nutrition and special diets for older people and/or people with health conditions.
• Understanding of food hygiene and health & safety regulations in a kitchen environment.
• Ability to work independently in the kitchen and manage time well during busy periods.
• Good communication skills and a friendly, approachable manner with residents and colleagues.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work the set morning shifts (7:30am – 2:00pm) over 21 hours per week.
• Willingness to work some weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.

Desirable:

• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above).
• Experience working in a residential or nursing home.
• Knowledge of textured-modified diets and IDDSI levels (or willingness to learn).

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From £12.75 per hour

Expected hours: 21.0 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Experience:

• Kitchen: 1 year (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Location:

• Coventry CV1 (required)

Work Location: In person