At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious meals and support a dedicated kitchen team every weekend.
- Company: Join Elysium Healthcare, a leader in mental health care with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 33 days leave, career development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Work in a calm environment with opportunities for growth and social interaction.
- Why this job: Be creative in the kitchen while making a positive impact on people's lives.
- Qualifications: Must be 18+, have basic food hygiene, and previous kitchen experience.
The predicted salary is between 27820 - 27820 £ per year.
Are you looking for a Weekend chef role where you can be creative and work with a dedicated team? If so, join Thornford Park. This position will ideally be working both Saturday and Sunday; however, we are open to the possibility of a job share.
As a crucial part of the kitchen team, you'll play a vital role in crafting daily meals for service users, staff and visitors. Dive into food preparation and elevate your role by providing guidance and training to your peers. There are regular activities, events and special occasions throughout the year which you'll also cater for – World Food day, Christmas, Easter, Family Day and many more. In other words, plenty of chance to be creative and do something different.
It's a calm and pleasurable working environment, where you'll be able to manage your workload and enjoy creating delicious meals. There's a great social aspect to this role where you can interact with people outside the kitchen regularly.
As a Weekend Chef you will be:
- Supporting the Head Chef for the day-to-day running of the kitchen
- Maintaining good food storage procedures and stock rotation according to established procedures
- Preparing, planning and cooking meals to a consistently high standard, taking account of any special requests or dietary requirements within the unit
- Serving service users, staff and visitors with food and beverage in a professional and courteous services manner
- Preparing and producing foods for conferences and banquets
- Participating in food costings through effective cost control procedures
- Adhering to the 'Safer Food Better Business' standards and record keeping
- Adhering strictly to Food Hygiene Regulations and other safety procedures at all times
- Taking full shift responsibility for the catering operation
- Assisting the Head Chef by researching and creating new menus ensuring meals are of a high quality and complement healthy eating guidelines
- Correctly filling of all paperwork in relation to the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system (HACCP) i.e. Fridge temperatures, food temperature logs and cleaning schedules
To be successful in this role, you'll need:
- To be 18 years or older
- GCSE or equivalent English
- City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent) Basic Food Preparation Cooking
- Basic Food Hygiene (essential)
- Intermediate Food hygiene (desirable)
- Previous experience in a similar environment
- Previous experience in delivering a service on mass
- Menu planning, costing, ordering, stock control and budget experience
Where you will be working:
Thornford Park is a 141 bed hospital set within 21 acres of Berkshire countryside, offering a seamless care pathway across medium and low secure services, psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs), and rehabilitation flats. The site supports men and women with complex Mental Health needs, Personality Disorders, Learning Disabilities, and Autism—often with histories of offending or previous placement challenges.
Services include:
- Medium & Low Secure Units for acute and long-term care
- PICUs for individuals in psychiatric crisis
- Older Adult Services with age-appropriate, holistic interventions
- Specialist Learning Disability & Autism Pathways with integrated secure settings and step-down flats
You'll be part of a recovery-focused, multidisciplinary team helping people move safely toward greater independence. Thornford Park is easily accessible via Thatcham train station, with shuttle transport available.
What You'll Get:
- Annual base salary of £27,820 (Pro Rata)
- The equivalent of 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) – plus your birthday off and the option to buy (Pro Rata) additional annual leave, in our annual selection window
- Career development and training to help you achieve your professional goals
- Access to our Rewards & Benefits platform Ely-Vate; Your one-stop destination for everyday savings, exclusive benefits, and wellbeing hub!
- Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance
- Access to Blue Light Card, which provides a range of exclusive offers and discounts
- Life Assurance, for added peace of mind
- Stream – instant access to earned wages when you need it, plus access to save, directly from your wages, alongside financial wellbeing support
- 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion, to ensure you are the best you can be
- Enhanced Maternity Package, so you can truly enjoy this special time
- Pension contribution, to help secure your future
- Free meals and onsite free parking
About your next employer:
Elysium Health care has over 8,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 80 services across England and Wales covering Mental Health, Neurological, Learning Disabilities & Autism, Children & Education, there is opportunity for you to grow and move.
Elysium Healthcare is part of Ramsay Health Care with a global network that extends across 10 countries and employs over 86,000 people globally. Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person's individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure.
Weekend Chef employer: All The Top Bananas
My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Weekend Chef
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at All The Top Bananas and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Weekend Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at All The Top Bananas that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at All The Top Bananas.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at All The Top Bananas get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at All The Top Bananas and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
