At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare delicious home-cooked meals for our elderly clients and manage the kitchen.
- Company: Join Age Concern Hampshire, a caring community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy paid training, flexible hours, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a dedicated team with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact by providing nutritious meals that evoke memories.
- Qualifications: Confidence in cooking and food prep; no formal qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 £ per year.
Age Concern Hampshire are currently recruiting for a Cook to join our friendly and dedicated team at our Care & Wellbeing Centre in New Milton.
Qualifications
- Cooking/Chef: 1 year (Preferred)
- Professional qualification in cooking (Preferred) or relevant experience
About You:
We're not looking for the next Nigella or Jamie (although either are welcome) but we are looking for a motivated and reliable, happy person who is a team player and can work their way round a kitchen and prepare home cooked meals for our clients. This is an exciting role for you to manage your own little slice of the centre. You will manage the kitchen and it is essential that you are organised and confident. We are looking for a highly motivated person with good standards in relation to providing nutritious meals for our elderly clients. The incredible team of support workers will support you whilst you get to know our clients, their likes, dislikes and dietary needs. Supporting the elderly with a well-balanced diet maintaining good nutrition and hydration is key to this role; by doing this we hope to lessen the risk of developing chronic diseases and help stave off colds and infections. The meals you create are more meaningful to our clients than a Michelin star. They are flavours that evoke memories. It is key that we monitor and record what our clients are eating and drinking in order that we encourage them to meet their daily requirements. So whilst your role will be to work autonomously, you will also work closely with the care team to ensure information is recorded.
Your typical day will include:
- Plan, source and prepare a two course lunch
- Serve meals to a high standard/presentation
- Prepare cakes/snacks for late morning/early afternoon
- Prepare special diet meals in accordance with our clients’ needs
- Monitor supplies, re-ordering, and purchase food ensuring safe storage
- Follow the Better Food Safer Business model
- Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness in the kitchen at all times. Adhering to the cleaning rota
- Support the preparation and cleaning of the dining area
- Maintain the standard of health and hygiene as instructed by the manager
- Regularly seek feedback from clients and making/changing meal preparation to meet their needs.
- Flexibility in relation to occasional additional hours, or weekend work for events may be required in the future
We are not asking for any professional qualifications, but you should be able to demonstrate absolute confidence around the kitchen with food prep, cooking and cleanliness and a willingness to undertake training.
For You
We welcome you to join an amazing team of dedicated people supporting the elderly in our community. You will also be supported by our management team, equally as amazing! We will help you where you need/want it and equally allow you to flourish in your own role and area, listening and implementing your ideas. There are no charges for uniform, equipment or recruitment checks and we PAY YOU for your mandatory training. Please feel free to visit our website to learn more about Age Concern Hampshire.
Benefits
- Full training and ongoing support
- Contracted hours
- Paid holiday
- Pension enrolment
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Blue Light Card eligibility
Cook - New Milton employer: Age Concern Hampshire
Age Concern Hampshire is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and friendly work environment at our Care & Wellbeing Centre in New Milton. As a Cook, you will enjoy the opportunity to create meaningful meals for our elderly clients while receiving full training, ongoing support, and benefits such as paid holidays and pension enrolment. Join our dedicated team where your ideas are valued, and you can truly make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook - New Milton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, check out Age Concern Hampshire's website and social media. Understanding their mission and values will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your cooking experience and how you can contribute to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your personality! During the interview, let your passion for cooking and caring for others shine through. Share stories about your experiences in the kitchen and how you’ve made meals special for clients or loved ones.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and reinforces your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Cook - New Milton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let us know why you love cooking! Share any experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for preparing meals, especially for those who need it most. A personal touch can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Even if you don't have formal qualifications, we want to hear about your kitchen experience. Talk about any roles where you've cooked for others, managed a kitchen, or worked in a team. This helps us see how you'd fit into our friendly environment.
Be Organised and Confident:Since you'll be managing your own kitchen space, it's important to convey your organisational skills. Mention any instances where you've successfully planned meals or managed supplies. Confidence in your abilities will shine through in your application!
Tailor Your Application to Us:Make sure to read through the job description carefully and tailor your application to what we're looking for. Use similar language and highlight how your values align with ours. And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Age Concern Hampshire
✨Know Your Kitchen Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your cooking skills and kitchen hygiene practices. Be ready to discuss your experience with meal preparation, especially for special diets, as this will show your confidence in managing the kitchen.
✨Show Your Passion for Nutrition
Demonstrate your understanding of the importance of nutrition for elderly clients. Share examples of how you’ve catered to dietary needs in the past, and express your commitment to providing nutritious meals that evoke memories for the clients.
✨Be a Team Player
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with support staff. Discuss how you plan to communicate effectively with the care team to ensure clients' dietary needs are met, showing that you value teamwork in creating a positive dining experience.
✨Prepare Questions
Think of thoughtful questions to ask during the interview about the kitchen's operations and the team dynamics. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to the centre’s mission.
