Retail Chef

This post is only open to internal applicants.

Main area: Catering

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (roster-based weekend shifts)

Salary: £30,039 - £31,088 per annum incl. of HCA (pro rata)

Closing: 22/06/2025 23:59

Job overview:

Join Our Team as a Team Leader Chef! Are you a talented chef with a passion for quality cooking? An exciting opportunity awaits you in our Retail Catering department! We’re looking for a dedicated Chef to join us Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend openings. The role is to oversee the preparation and cooking of nutritionally balanced meals to the highest standards for a diverse customer base including staff, patients, and visitors. With over 800-900 customers served daily, your supervisory experience in a large kitchen will be invaluable. As a key player in our busy restaurants and café, you’ll lead by example, ensuring impeccable food quality, safety, and presentation. Your role will involve preparing breakfast and lunch menus, managing a live cooking environment, and inspiring your team to excel.

To succeed, you’ll need:

• Previous experience in a high-volume kitchen.
• A passion for cooking excellence and innovation.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with our dynamic team.
• Flexibility, initiative, and a proactive approach to challenges.
• An NVQ3 or equivalent Professional Cookery qualification.

Main duties of the job:

• To organise the preparation and cooking of meals to the required standard for both the restaurants and out-patients.
• Observing correct safe working procedures in accordance with the provisions of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.
• To maintain all ‘due-diligence’ processes relating to cook-chill cooking procedures as stated in the food safety policy.
• Ensuring economical and correct use of all materials and equipment.
• Training new staff members in using equipment.
• To liaise with the Supervisor to ensure the Food Service is always to the correct standard in presentation and portion controls.
• Assist during service and liaise with patients/customers offering assistance and advice.
• Involved in and keeping informed of current market trends and technical advances for food and menu content.
• Observing standards of hygiene and cleanliness at all times.
• Maintaining a neat and tidy place of work including undertaking light cleaning duties.
• To report any mechanical or safety defects and need for repairs to the Supervisor/Team leader for immediate action.
• To observe and maintain the relevant Health & Safety regulations as laid out in the Food Safety Act 1990.
• To report any accident immediately, following the accident procedure.
• To ensure the correct procedures are maintained and followed for all Fire Precautions as laid out within Hospital Guidelines.
• Attend training courses where necessary.

Person specification:

Skills/Knowledge/Ability:

• Self-motivating.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently individually and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of Key Principles of dietary food, Allergen and Risk Management.
• Problem solving.
• Working within and encouraging a team.

Previous Experience:

• Previous experience as a Chef in a Restaurant environment.
• Previous experience of Stock Management and ordering.
• IT literate in Microsoft applications.

Physical Requirements:

• The ability to lift and move food in and around the restaurant in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications/Education:

• Good level of education.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Good command of spoken and written English.
• Catering/Chef Qualification e.g. City and Guilds or NVQ or equivalent.
• Good level of Numeracy.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitably according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or studies at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership. Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.