At a Glance
- Tasks: Cook nutritious meals for residents in care homes, ensuring dietary needs are met.
- Company: Join Blue Arrow, a supportive employer with a focus on meaningful work.
- Benefits: Earn £17-£20 per hour, enjoy flexible shifts, and receive weekly pay.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by cooking for those who truly appreciate good food.
- Qualifications: Experience in care home kitchens and knowledge of dietary requirements essential.
- Other info: Opportunities for permanent roles and varied working environments across Staffordshire.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 16 £ per hour.
Position: Care & Nursing home Chefs and Cooks
Location: Stafford, Staffordshire, including Stoke on Trent and surrounding areas
Rate: £17- £20 per hour
Are you a chef who can whip up a proper cottage pie and knows their way around a soft diet? We are on the lookout for relief chefs to step in and keep the ovens warm in our care and nursing home environments when the regular kitchen legends take time off, or during increased demand. This isn’t restaurant stress - it’s calm, meaningful cooking for lovely people who really appreciate a good meal.
The Role
- Cooking tasty, nutritious meals including variety in diets which include texture diets, blended meals, and modified meals.
- Catering for dietary needs under the IDDSI framework.
- Keeping the kitchen tidy and ticking along.
- Working solo or with a small team, depending on the home.
- Putting away stock and deliveries.
- Food orders, depending on the role you are placed into i.e. head chef/chef manager.
- Preparation of food.
- Potential for pot washing and supporting kitchen assistant.
- Adhering to all relevant health and safety requirements.
- Cooking nutritious food within requirements.
- Ensure a clean as you go policy is being operated at all times.
- Possibly serving food.
We’re After Someone Who:
- Has previous experience as a chef working within care homes and nursing homes.
- Understands what is involved with "pureed meals" and the impact this can have on residents.
- Has experience with the IDDSI framework to prepare and cook texture diets.
- Can cook without chaos and can work under pressure.
- Has a Food Hygiene certificate at level 2 or above dated within the last 3 years (or is happy to get one at a cost).
- Has a Food Allergen Certificate.
- Is friendly, calm, and loves creating good home-cooked meals.
- Can turn up, crack on, and get the job done right.
- Is looking for temporary/relief shifts - you tell us when you’re free.
- Can support with any immediate ad hoc shifts including same day sickness/absence requirements.
- Has flexibility in shift patterns including weekends.
- Has great communication and teamwork skills.
- Due to certain locations, a full UK driving license is required along with own access to a vehicle.
- An enhanced Adult DBS - to work within a care home or nursing home you must hold an enhanced DBS dated within the last 12 months, or on the update service, covering the adult workforce. Don’t worry we have the facilities to process one for you at a cost.
What You Get:
- Good hourly rate + weekly pay.
- Flexible shifts - work when it suits you.
- Chance to work with some of our fantastic clients within your local areas.
- Support from a dedicated consultant.
- Feel-good work - residents appreciate your cooking more than any food critic ever could.
- A Blue Arrow app and portal to support with finding work, accepting shifts on the go!
- Company pension scheme.
- Even though a lot of your roles will be on a temporary basis, these can quite easily lead to permanent work for the right candidates.
Here at Blue Arrow we have national agreements with several caterers throughout Stafford & North Staffordshire, we are sure we can offer you work in a varied amount of environments.
Working Hours:
You can choose your working rota each week, but depending on what you choose to work the working hours will vary from site to site. We can offer both full-time, part-time flexible days, weekends. Majority of chefs shifts range between 6/7am till 6/7pm.
The Commute:
As we cover a large number of locations across Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent your commute will vary. If you’re limited to public transport, we’ll only send you to places that have public transport links and provide you with all the information you will need to get there.
Blue Arrow working environments:
Due to the various different types of sites we cover your working environment will change from site to site. We will look to place you in the most comfortable environments for you. We currently do supply to contract catering sites, hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes, prisons, schools, academies, nurseries (if you have a child enhanced DBS within the last 12 months or on the update service), and care homes, hotels, restaurants, golf clubs, event establishments. I am sure we have something to fit your experience and needs.
Next Steps:
So if you’re the kind of chef who enjoys cooking with care (and maybe singing a bit while you stir), we’d love to hear from you. Click apply today, and one of our chef consultants will be back in touch to discuss your application. You will also be asked to start our registration process in the meantime, it can take less than 10 minutes to complete and speeds up the registration process.
Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
Relief Chef Wanted - Because Residents Deserve Good Grub! in Bradford employer: Blue Arrow - Derby
Contact Detail:
Blue Arrow - Derby Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Relief Chef Wanted - Because Residents Deserve Good Grub! in Bradford
✨Tip Number 1
Get your chef hat on and network like a pro! Chat with other chefs, join local culinary groups, or even hit up social media. You never know when a casual conversation might lead to your next gig!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in person! If you can, offer to do a trial shift or a demo meal at a care home. It’s a great way to showcase your cooking chops and get a feel for the environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Flexibility is key! Let potential employers know when you're available and be open to different shifts. The more adaptable you are, the more likely they’ll want to call you back for those relief shifts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s super easy and helps us match you with the right opportunities. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
We think you need these skills to ace Relief Chef Wanted - Because Residents Deserve Good Grub! in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience with cooking in care homes. Mention any specific dishes you excel at, especially those that cater to dietary needs like pureed meals. We want to see your passion for creating good grub!
Keep It Relevant: Tailor your application to the role by focusing on your experience with the IDDSI framework and any food hygiene certifications you hold. This shows us that you understand the unique challenges of cooking in a care environment and are ready to tackle them head-on.
Be Yourself: Let your personality shine through in your application! We’re looking for friendly chefs who love what they do. Share a bit about why you enjoy cooking for residents and how you create a positive atmosphere in the kitchen.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s quick and easy, and it helps us get your application processed faster. Plus, you’ll be one step closer to joining our team of fantastic chefs making a difference in people’s lives.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Arrow - Derby
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of texture diets and the IDDSI framework. Being able to discuss how you can cater to specific dietary needs will show that you understand the importance of nutrition in a care home setting.
✨Show Off Your Cooking Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience with cooking in calm environments, especially in care homes. Bring examples of meals you've prepared that cater to different dietary requirements, like pureed meals or blended options, to demonstrate your versatility.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since you'll be working solo or with a small team, highlight your ability to communicate effectively and work well with others. Share examples of how you've collaborated with kitchen staff in the past to create a positive cooking environment.
✨Flexibility is Key
Let them know you're open to flexible shifts and can step in at short notice. This role requires adaptability, so mentioning your willingness to work weekends or cover for last-minute absences will make you stand out as a reliable candidate.