Chef - Milton Keynes in Bletchley

Location: Milton Keynes

Salary: £14.43 per hour with a £1 market enhancement (£15.93 per hour)

Brainkind is a charity that aims to improve the lives of people with brain injuries in the UK. Our assessment centres, rehabilitation units and hospitals use expert neurorehabilitation to support people to regain the skills they have lost. We treat people with a range of brain injuries – sustained through trauma, illness, substance abuse and more – to recover and meet their personal goals. Our employees are incredibly passionate about the jobs they do – you will find a strong team spirit across our services and amazing colleagues who always pull together and look out for each other.

MAIN PURPOSE: To prepare and cook meals to the standard set by Brainkind and to supervise the kitchen and Catering Assistant staff in the absence of the Head Chef.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To ensure that all food is correctly and safely prepared, stored, and presented in a way which meets agreed Brainkind standards.
• Responsible to ensure all equipment is left clean at end of the shift in line with systems in place.
• Responsible to ensure recording of cleaning and equipment maintenance schedules is in line with Brainkind policies and procedures.
• To report equipment faults, repair and maintenance needs in line with local procedures.
• To record all information as required by Brainkind policies and procedures.
• To report any unmet training need in use of equipment or processes.
• Facilitating the safe and smooth running of the Service, the post holder is expected to maintain a safe working environment, maintain service user confidentiality, and occasionally take on reasonable additional tasks.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This post holds no budgetary responsibility but will be expected to ensure costs and expenditures are kept within agreed limits.
• Accountable for the use and safety of materials, components, products, and equipment. This includes the responsibility for the performance of procedures.
• Responsible to deputise for the Head Chef by providing catering service within available resources and to ensure that all catering staff follow Brainkind policies and procedures.
• Accountable to assist the Head Chef to provide services that meet the Brainkind and regulatory body standards.

ABOUT YOU:

• Level 2 Food Hygiene or higher NVQ or SVQ Level 2 General Catering or equivalent.
• Previous experience of working in kitchens.
• Demonstrable skills in cooking for large groups of people and an ability to cater for varying dietary needs.
• Knowledge of regulations, e.g. COSHH, Health & Safety, HACCP.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work closely with service users and communicate effectively with them.
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Rewards: You can look forward to excellent benefits including:

• A competitive rate of up to £15.93 per hour + £1 Weekend & Bank Holiday Enhancement.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Excellent training and support.
• Company Pension.
• Group life assurance.
• Long service and staff awards.
• Free parking.

We also put a big focus on employee wellbeing and support. It matters to us that you feel at your best. Career development is a priority. We will ensure you get all the training and learning opportunities you need to achieve your goals. To join our friendly team, click the Apply Now button.

Please note we will be shortlisting and interviewing candidates on a rolling basis until the role is filled therefore, we recommend applying as soon as possible.

All successful candidates are subject to compliance checks including 3 years of checkable references and DBS/PVG checks.

Brainkind are a Disability Confident Employer. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. Brainkind is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive organisation. It is a place where we recognise, celebrate, and live our values which includes offering a range of inclusive employment policies and staff engagement forums to support employees from all backgrounds.