Cook in Arbroath

JOB PURPOSE: To prepare, cook and serve nutritious, high quality meals that meet the dietary, nutritional and cultural needs of residents. The care home cook plays an integral role in supporting residents' health and wellbeing outcomes by providing safe, appetising meals while maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willing to undertake this qualification)
• HACCP
• Knowledge of IDDSI framework
• Allergen Management awareness
• Adherence to budget management
• First Aid awareness
• Health and Safety awareness

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and prepare daily meals, snacks, and special diets in accordance with residents' nutritional requirements and preferences.
• Ensure all food is prepared, cooked, and presented to a consistently high standard.
• Cater for special dietary requirements, including allergies, medical conditions, texture-modified diets, and cultural or religious preferences.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene standards in line with current food safety legislation and company policies.
• Monitor food temperatures, storage, stock rotation, and kitchen cleaning schedules.
• Order food supplies and manage stock levels to minimise waste and ensure cost-effective purchasing.
• Keep accurate records relating to food safety, temperature checks, cleaning schedules, and allergen management.
• Work within agreed budgets while maintaining meal quality.
• Ensure the kitchen and food preparation areas remain clean, organised, and safe at all times.
• Communicate effectively with residents, colleagues, healthcare professionals, and management regarding dietary needs and menu planning.
• Support special events, celebrations, and themed meals within the home.
• Follow all health and safety procedures, including manual handling and infection prevention measures.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential:

• Previous experience working as a cook or chef, preferably in a care, healthcare, hospitality, or catering environment.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene and food safety regulations.
• Understanding of special diets and nutritional requirements for older adults.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Reliable, organised, and able to work under pressure.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to obtain).

Desirable:

• Experience working within a residential or nursing care home.
• Knowledge of dysphagia and texture-modified diets (IDDSI framework).
• Relevant catering or hospitality qualification.
• First Aid awareness.

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent cooking and food preparation skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Good organisational and planning abilities.
• Budget and stock management.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Compassionate and resident-focused approach.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and safety.

Health and Safety: The post holder is responsible for following all health and safety procedures, maintaining food hygiene standards, reporting hazards, accidents, or equipment faults promptly, and using equipment safely and according to training.

Safeguarding: The post holder is responsible for following all health and safety procedures, maintaining food hygiene standards, reporting hazards, accidents, or equipment faults promptly, and using equipment safely and according to training.

Training and Development: Attend staff training as requested by the Manager. This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list and the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the position and the needs of the care home.