Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create fresh, nutritious meals for patients and staff.
- Company: Join Ashgate Hospice, a compassionate provider of palliative care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives through quality food preparation.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and three years catering experience required.
Salary: £13.85 per hour plus weekend enhancements
Contract: Fixed term up to 1st March 2026
Location: Ashgate Hospice Chesterfield
Hours: 30 hours per week, Saturday and Sunday weekend cover required on a rota basis.
Join Our Compassionate & Skilled Catering Team!
Are you a passionate and experienced chef looking for a rewarding role where your skills make a real difference? We are looking for a talented and dedicated individual to join our hospice catering team to deliver high-quality nutritious meals to patients, visitors and staff. This is a fixed-term role until 1st March 2026 while we confirm funding with potential for extension depending on circumstances at the end of the initial term.
Why Join Us
At Ashgate hospice, food plays an important part in the care we provide. Every meal is prepared with thought and care supporting the wellbeing and comfort of our patients and those close to them. This is not a heat-and-serve role; our team prepares fresh seasonal meals from scratch with attention to quality presentation and individual needs. You’ll be part of a small supportive kitchen team that takes pride in its work and values everyone’s contribution. The kitchen is a friendly and collaborative environment where your skills will make a real difference every day. If you take pride in preparing good food, enjoy working as part of a team and want to contribute to something meaningful, we would be pleased to hear from you.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead the kitchen during shifts ensuring high standards of food quality and safety.
- Prepare and serve fresh nutritious and often bespoke meals for patients, visitors and staff.
- Supervise and support Catering Assistants and volunteers, helping to organise tasks and oversee service.
- Maintain a safe, clean and well-organised kitchen, upholding food hygiene and HACCP standards.
- Continuously improve our catering service working with the team to develop menus and uphold best practices.
- Mentor and train team members, sharing knowledge and supporting professional development.
What You’ll Bring
We are looking for a dedicated and experienced catering professional who is a true team player. You will hold an NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation (or equivalent) and a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and bring with you at least three years experience working in a busy catering environment ideally within a healthcare or similar care-focused setting. You must be confident in preparing meals from scratch with a strong understanding of nutritional needs and dietary requirements, ensuring every dish supports the health and wellbeing of our patients. Compassion and respect are central to this role, so we’re looking for someone with a caring and sensitive approach to patients and their families and a friendly, professional manner when working with staff, volunteers and visitors. You’ll also need to demonstrate the ability to support and guide volunteers, contribute positively to team meetings and training and show flexibility in supporting different areas of the catering service as needed.
About Ashgate
Ashgate Hospice, based in North Derbyshire, offers free palliative and end-of-life care for adults with life-limiting or incurable illnesses including cancer, neurological diseases and advanced heart, kidney and lung conditions. Last year we cared for over 2,400 people. Our aim is to support our patients by keeping them informed, managing their symptoms and improving their quality of life from diagnosis onwards. We also provide vital support to the people who are important to them, offering practical assistance and emotional support including bereavement services. We’re more than a care provider – we’re a campaigner for sustainable end-of-life care funding in the UK and we continually invest in our services and workforce.
Our Values
- We are compassionate.
- We are a team.
- We are respectful, open and inclusive.
We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We strive to create a workplace that’s happy, safe and supportive and our team seems to agree! In fact, 86% of staff would recommend Ashgate Hospice as an employer. We know how important wellbeing and work-life balance are, which is why we’re open to flexible work arrangements including job-sharing.
Benefits of Joining Us
- Generous holiday entitlement with the option to increase it through our Annual Buy and Sell Leave Scheme.
- A flexible working approach to help meet your needs and ours, including options like job-sharing.
- A Cycle to Work scheme and a Tech Benefit scheme to help spread the cost of your next bike or gadget.
- The Westfield Health Cash Plan giving you money back on treatments such as physiotherapy, dental care and eye tests.
- Free access to Westfield Rewards with discounts at hundreds of high-street retailers.
- A confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering free round-the-clock support when you need it.
- A pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution helping you save for the future.
- A life assurance scheme giving peace of mind for you and those important to you up to age 65.
- A commitment to your personal and professional development with training opportunities to help you grow.
- Free on-site parking whenever you’re working at the hospice.
- Discounted on-site café at our Old Brampton site available to all staff.
- A wide range of initiatives to support your wellbeing and the time out to practice self-care.
Ready to Make a Difference
To learn more about the role please contact Mark Taylor, Head Chef, at mark.taylor@ashgatehospice.co.uk. You can arrange to visit the hospice to see what it would be like to work with us. Please note: Applications must be submitted via the Apply Now button on our website. Applications sent directly to HR or the recruiting manager will not be accepted.
Additional Information
If you’re successful you’ll need to complete a DBS check as part of our pre-employment process. You can find more details in the candidate assistant notes. As a healthcare provider we prioritise the safety of our patients, staff and visitors. That’s why we encourage and recommend all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive the flu jab unless there’s a compelling reason not to. If you need any help with the recruitment process our HR team is here to assist.
Additional Support for Candidates
We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive, fair and accessible to everyone. Reasonable adjustments: We are pleased to offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process for individuals with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions or long-term health needs. Shortlisting commitment: In line with our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion we guarantee to shortlist any disabled candidate who meets the essential criteria for the role. Interview preparation: All shortlisted candidates will receive their interview questions in advance to help you feel fully prepared.
Accessibility Resources
If you need assistance completing your online application you can contact the Disability Employment Service / Youth Employment Service. We encourage you to complete and share your Health Adjustment Passport. This helps us understand any adjustments or support you might need. Even if you choose not to share it, the passport can be a valuable tool for your own benefit. You can also access support through the Access to Work scheme, a government initiative designed to help you start or remain in work if you have a health condition or disability.
Who We Are
For more information about us please visit our website.
Chef (Fixed Term Contract) in Chesterfield employer: Ashgate Hospicecare
Contact Detail:
Ashgate Hospicecare Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef (Fixed Term Contract) in Chesterfield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Ashgate Hospice and its catering team. Understanding their values and mission will help you connect during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their compassionate environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this role is all about preparing fresh meals from scratch, be ready to discuss your culinary techniques and experiences. Maybe even whip up a dish that showcases your skills and creativity to impress them!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for patient care! In your interview, highlight how your cooking contributes to the wellbeing of patients. Share stories or examples of how you've tailored meals to meet specific dietary needs in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Make sure to submit your application via the 'Apply Now' button on the Ashgate Hospice site. This ensures your application is seen by the right people and keeps everything organised on their end.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef (Fixed Term Contract) in Chesterfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for cooking and caring for others shine through. We want to see how your love for food and compassion for patients can make a difference in our kitchen!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially in catering or healthcare settings. We’re looking for someone who understands nutritional needs, so don’t forget to mention any specific skills or qualifications that match our requirements.
Be Yourself: We value authenticity! Use your own voice in your application. Share personal stories or experiences that reflect your teamwork and dedication to quality service – it helps us get to know the real you.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, applications must be submitted via the Apply Now button on our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application, so don’t miss out on this step!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ashgate Hospicecare
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your culinary skills and knowledge about nutrition. Be ready to discuss how you prepare meals from scratch and cater to specific dietary needs. This shows your passion for food and your understanding of its importance in a healthcare setting.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with a small kitchen team, be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with others in past roles. Highlight your ability to mentor and support team members, as well as how you contribute positively to a team environment.
✨Emphasise Compassion and Care
This position is all about making a difference in patients' lives through food. Be ready to talk about your approach to cooking for those with specific health needs and how you ensure that every meal is prepared with care and thoughtfulness.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your practical skills and knowledge of food hygiene standards. Brush up on HACCP guidelines and be ready to discuss how you maintain a clean and safe kitchen. You might even be asked to demonstrate a cooking technique, so be prepared to showcase your skills!