At a Glance
- Tasks: Cook delicious, nutritious meals for residents in care homes and nursing environments.
- Company: Join Blue Arrow, a supportive employer with flexible opportunities.
- Benefits: Earn £17-£20 per hour, enjoy weekly pay, and choose your shifts.
- 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 needs required.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, potential for permanent roles, and varied working environments.
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.
- Holds 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. We are 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 Coventry 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 Coventry
✨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’ve got your back with support and guidance throughout the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Relief Chef Wanted - Because Residents Deserve Good Grub! in Coventry
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, like cottage pie or pureed meals, to show us you know your stuff!
Keep It Relevant: Tailor your application to the role by focusing on your experience with dietary needs and the IDDSI framework. We want to see that you understand the importance of nutrition and how it impacts residents' lives.
Be Yourself: Let your personality shine through! We’re looking for friendly chefs who love creating good home-cooked meals. A bit of warmth in your writing can go a long way in making your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the quickest way for us to get your application and start the conversation about your next relief chef gig. Plus, it helps speed up the registration process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Arrow - Derby
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the IDDSI framework and how to prepare texture diets. Be ready to discuss your experience with pureed meals and how they impact residents' dining experiences.
✨Showcase Your Calm Cooking Style
During the interview, highlight your ability to work under pressure without chaos. Share examples of how you've managed busy kitchen environments, especially in care homes or nursing settings.
✨Flexibility is Key
Emphasise your willingness to take on temporary shifts and adapt to varying schedules. Mention any previous experiences where you successfully filled in last-minute or adjusted to changing demands.
✨Bring Your Certificates
Make sure to have your Food Hygiene and Allergen certificates handy. This shows you're serious about food safety and ready to hit the ground running in the kitchen.