At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious, nutritious meals for our elderly residents and manage kitchen operations.
- Company: Join Akari Care, an award-winning home dedicated to personalised care for the elderly.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension contributions, uniform, and fully funded training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while developing your skills in a supportive community.
- Qualifications: City & Guilds 706 β 1&2 or equivalent, with head cook experience and a caring nature.
- Other info: Flexible hours available: 40-hour and 16-hour posts.
If you are passionate about caring for the elderly and want to build a long-term career in one of our award-winning homes, then look no further than Akari Care. Our aim is to create an environment where our residents are valued, respected, and are offered the personalised care they deserve.
We now seek a Cook who is passionate about, and thrives on, making a real and positive difference to the lives of older people. An important part of the day for our residents is based around mealtimes. At Akari Care we take great pride in ensuring that what is prepared in the kitchen is of outstanding quality, wholesome and nutritious. At the same time, we always ensure that we are mindful and conscientious about individual needs, religious and cultural backgrounds. We continually assess how this might impact meal choices, alongside making sure that all of our residents feel that they have a personalised service.
As the pivotal link between the kitchen and the serving areas you will have the autonomy to create menus, plate up and arrange food trollies in an attractive way in order for our residents to gain enthusiasm and a stimulated appetite to eat. Playing a fundamental and integral part of our united and extended care team you will be afforded the scope to coach a team into creating ideas and seeing them through as part of their own personal development needs.
By showing us, you can match our values with the right desire for personalised excellence, community spirit and a kind, caring and compassionate nature, we, in return, can offer you a career developing your knowledge, skills and abilities to support vulnerable adults with the care their individual needs require.
What we require from you:
- City & Guilds 706 β 1&2, or equivalent (achieved or working towards)
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
- Head chef or Head Cook experience with similar environment/surrounding
- Supervisory or Line Management experience
- A caring nature to give everyone a personal approach
- Proven ability to lead by example, motivate a team and delegate effectively
- Flexible and adaptable to changes at short notice
- Warm, approachable, and engaging persona
- Respect everyone, treating others as you would expect to be treated
- Resilient and adaptable to differing needs of colleagues and residents
Whatβs in it for you:
- A competitive salary of Β£14 Per Hour
- Pension contribution of 5%
- Recognition schemes and rewarding referral schemes
- Uniform provided and DBS check costs paid
- 28 days annual leave (based on full-time hours, including Bank Holidays)
- Fully funded training and development
- Support with personal development plans
- The opportunity to grow and develop both personally and professionally
- An engaging community environment where everyone is respected and included
Cook employer: Akari Care
Contact Detail:
Akari Care Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Cook
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Akari Care's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to personalised care for the elderly will help you align your passion and experiences with what they are looking for in a Cook.
β¨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in creating nutritious and appealing meals, especially for elderly residents. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've catered to individual dietary needs and preferences in previous roles.
β¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing how you've motivated and developed a team in past positions. Akari Care values a collaborative environment, so demonstrating your ability to lead by example will be crucial.
β¨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your adaptability and resilience in a kitchen setting. Share examples of how you've successfully managed changes or challenges, as this role requires flexibility to meet the varying needs of residents and staff.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in cooking, especially in environments similar to Akari Care. Emphasise any qualifications like City & Guilds 706 β 1&2 or equivalent, and showcase your supervisory experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for caring for the elderly. Mention how your values align with those of Akari Care and provide examples of how you've created personalised meal experiences in the past.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on skills that are crucial for the role, such as menu creation, food presentation, and team leadership. Show how you can motivate a team and adapt to the needs of residents.
Showcase Your Caring Nature: Include anecdotes or examples that demonstrate your caring approach and ability to treat others with respect. This is vital for a role that involves working closely with vulnerable adults.
How to prepare for a job interview at Akari Care
β¨Show Your Passion for Care
Make sure to express your genuine passion for caring for the elderly during the interview. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to improving the lives of older people, as this aligns with the values of Akari Care.
β¨Demonstrate Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your cooking experience in detail. Highlight any specific dishes you excel at and how you ensure meals are nutritious and appealing. If possible, bring a portfolio of your work or even a sample menu to showcase your creativity.
β¨Emphasise Team Leadership
Since the role involves coaching a team, be ready to talk about your leadership style. Provide examples of how you've motivated a team in the past, delegated tasks effectively, and created a positive working environment.
β¨Adaptability is Key
Discuss your ability to adapt to changing circumstances, especially in a kitchen environment. Share examples of how you've handled unexpected challenges or changes in meal plans, demonstrating your flexibility and problem-solving skills.