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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Run the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence and create delicious, nutritious meals.
- Company: Join Care UK, a leading care home provider with a focus on quality and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Catering Diploma and NVQ 2/3 in practical cookery required; experience in care homes is a plus.
- Other info: Join an award-winning team and access thousands of discounts on everyday shopping.
Bank Contract
Bank Contract
Being a Second Chef at Care UK
Second Chefs at Care UK are great at working with others. They enjoy sharing information and raising standards through culinary development, innovation and new ideas. They have access to a large supply chain for all catering requirements and the autonomy to create nutritious well‑balanced menus for everyone. They’re self‑motivated, flexible, enthusiastic and happy to take responsibility for resolving issues that arise. And, they know how to maintain team discipline and morale within the kitchen. Do you have the same sort of attributes? Then we could have just the role for you.
What you’ll be doing
Being a Second Chef isn’t just about helping the Head Chef ensure food is prepared to the agreed standard and that deadlines are met. It’s about taking control of running the kitchen in their absence. It\’s about using modern kitchen equipment and fresh local produce to develop full diet sensitive meals for residents so they can enjoy the same flavour and nutrition. And it\’s about helping to come up with menus, consulting with residents to ensure their needs and choices are met and preparing food in line with specific diets. Put simply, it’s about making a difference. A real difference.
What you’ll need
As well as a Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC) and NVQ 2/3 in practical cookery and Health and Safety, Food Hygiene Certificates (minimum level 2) are essential. You’ll also need good knowledge of nutritionally balanced menu planning and a proven ability to cater for specific dietary needs. And, if you’ve worked in a care home and/or have experience of stock control or working with a budget, even better (but not essential). Above all, you have a natural ability to help make the lives of others more fulfilling and want to work in an environment where the work can be hard, but also fun and rewarding.
The benefits
- Alternate weekend working and socilabe working hours
- Competitive rates of pay – we continuously review pay in your local market
- Opportunities to progress through our personalised career paths into Head Chef opportunities
- Competitive refer a friend scheme of up to £1000 depending on role
- Quality and free training to help develop and enhance your skills
- Bank holiday enhancements
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free DBS
- Thousands of online and in‑store discounts across big known retailers enabling our colleagues to make big savings on everyday shopping such as holidays, supermarkets and travel.
- Employee Assistance Programme – Immediate access to a confidential telephone counselling and legal information service which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to include support such as financial and family concerns
One of the UK’s leading care home providers, Care UK runs over 120 homes and day clubs across the UK that provide residential, nursing, dementia and end‑of‑life care for older people. A top rated employer in best quality results, our goal is to help every employee fulfil their potential by providing first‑class training and support.
Fulfilling lives, fulfilling Careers.
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Second Chef Bank employer: Care UK PLC
Contact Detail:
Care UK PLC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Second Chef Bank
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Care UK. Check out their website and social media to see what they value. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their award-winning team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your experience aligns with the role of Second Chef, especially your skills in menu planning and catering for specific dietary needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for cooking! During the interview, share your favourite dishes to prepare and any innovative ideas you have for menus. This is your chance to demonstrate your culinary creativity and how you can contribute to the kitchen's success.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’d be a fantastic fit for the Second Chef position.
We think you need these skills to ace Second Chef Bank
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your culinary experience and any specific skills you have. We want to see how you've used fresh local produce and created delicious meals in your previous roles!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to match the job description. Mention your knowledge of nutritionally balanced menu planning and how you can cater to specific dietary needs.
Share Your Passion for Care: Let us know why you’re passionate about working in a care environment. Share any experiences that show your ability to make a difference in residents' lives. We love seeing candidates who genuinely care!
Apply Through Our Website: Make it easy for us to find your application by applying directly through our website. It’s straightforward and ensures we get all the info we need to consider you for the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Care UK PLC
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of fresh local produce and dietary needs mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate these into your menu planning and meal preparation.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
As a Second Chef, teamwork is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with others in a kitchen setting. Highlight any experiences where you’ve helped maintain morale or discipline within a team.
✨Demonstrate Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to talk about your practical cookery experience. Bring up specific dishes you've created that cater to various dietary requirements, showcasing your ability to innovate while maintaining nutritional balance.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their approach to menu development or how they support their chefs in professional growth. This shows you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
