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- Tasks: Prepare and serve healthy meals while managing budgets and ensuring safety in the kitchen.
- Company: Choice Care, a leading residential care provider with a family-like atmosphere.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, sick pay, birthday off, and a Christmas bonus.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while honing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Organised, enthusiastic, and able to maintain high standards in food preparation.
- Other info: Join a vibrant community with opportunities for personal growth and fun activities.
The predicted salary is between 26500 - 26500 £ per year.
Overview Of The Role
The role of the Cook is to prepare and serve healthy balanced meals to residents in our homes. You will oversee weekly budgets and shopping lists. On occasion you will work alongside other staff or residents in the kitchen making sure everyone’s safety is paramount.
Key Duties
- Creating appropriate, exciting and well-balanced menus for residents
- Preparing and serving meals for the home
- Ensuring all special dietary needs are followed
- Familiarising yourself with residents’ allergens
- Preparing food to a high standard
- Maintaining relevant records and controlling stock rotation
- Ensuring the kitchen is always clean and hygienic
- Completing weekly food shops whilst managing the budget and adhering to all safety standards
- Setting a professional example with all working methods, procedures, personal presentation, timekeeping and hygiene
- Maintaining health and safety at work practices at all times
Hours
37.5 hours per week
Salary
£12.80 to £12.80 per hour
Personal Attributes
- Organised and willing to learn
- Committed and enthusiastic approach
- The ability to maintain the required quality and service standards set
- A can-do attitude
- Satisfactory written and verbal communication skills
What Are The Benefits?
- Holiday entitlement – starting from 28 days inclusive of Bank Holidays
- Sick pay entitlement
- Employee Assistance Programme – comprehensive health and wellbeing support for staff
- Refer a friend scheme – enjoy a payment of £500 when you recruit a friend to Choice Care
- Choiceversary – staff receive vouchers of £75 after 5 years, £100 after 10 years and £150 after 15 years to celebrate your commitment to Choice Care
- Christmas bonus – vouchers for all staff members
- Life insurance
- Annual staff awards – this year each winner received £400 and we had over 30 winners in total
- Complex in‑house training – includes our Advanced Management Development Programme for managers in the making and our Foundation Management Development Programme for rising stars
- A paid day off on your birthday
- Free monthly prize draw – all frontline care colleagues are automatically entered into a monthly prize draw. Three winners selected at random receive £500 each, tax‑free
- Blue Light Card eligibility
- Reclaim prescription costs for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and access free feminine hygiene products whilst on shift
- Stream – a financial wellbeing app that enables you to track your earnings; save with high‑street beating interest rates; choose to access your earnings ahead of payday with flexible pay; receive discounts with hundreds of retailers; learn with financial coaching and education, and much more
Minimum service periods applicable to some benefits
About Choice Care
Choice Care is one of the UK’s leading residential care providers for people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions. With over 30 years’ experience, we’re at the forefront of national best practice, with among the highest CQC ratings of any comparable organisation. Our homes are more than just a place to live – they’re like a second family for everyone we support. Each home is a close knit community, with its own unique personality, and all the ups and downs of typical family life, built on trust and the promise of unconditional care. Our colleagues build close bonds with the people they care for, helping to create enduring, positive relationships that build confidence and self‑esteem. In every Choice Care home there’s a strong emphasis on living life to the full and having fun, with purposeful daily activities based on individual preferences and capabilities. Alongside this there are regular social events, projects, outings and holiday breaks which everyone can get involved in and express themselves through.
Where You Will Work
Appletrees is a large, detached country house supporting up to eight men and women with moderate to severe learning disabilities and associated complex needs. The property is set in beautiful open countryside in the village of Upper Bucklebury, six miles from Newbury town centre. Appletrees has a lively and active environment with a real can‑do spirit. Within the grounds, Treetops is a separate, purpose‑built day services centre, where the home’s Day Activities Coordinator helps deliver individual and group activity programmes, including educational support, arts and crafts, and sensory activities. In addition, the home has two vehicles for local travel. There are regular meals out, monthly club nights and there’s music every week.
Cook employer: Choice Care Group
Contact Detail:
Choice Care Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out Choice Care's website and social media. Understanding their values and community spirit will help you connect with the team and show you're a great fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your skills as a Cook can contribute to creating those exciting, balanced meals for residents.
✨Tip Number 3
Bring your A-game to the interview! Dress smartly and arrive on time. Show them your enthusiasm for cooking and caring for residents – it’s all about that can-do attitude!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When you write your application, let us see your love for cooking shine through! Share any experiences you've had in the kitchen, especially those that highlight your ability to create healthy and exciting meals.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills: Since you'll be managing budgets and shopping lists, make sure to mention any relevant experience you have with organisation. We want to know how you keep things running smoothly in a busy kitchen!
Emphasise Safety and Hygiene: Safety is key in our kitchens, so don’t forget to talk about your understanding of health and safety practices. Mention any training or certifications you have that relate to food safety and hygiene.
Tailor Your Application to Us: Take a moment to research Choice Care and Appletrees. Tailoring your application to reflect our values and the specific role will show us you're genuinely interested. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Choice Care Group
✨Know Your Menus
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about what makes a balanced meal. Be ready to discuss how you would create exciting menus that cater to various dietary needs and preferences. This shows your passion for cooking and understanding of nutrition.
✨Safety First!
Familiarise yourself with food safety standards and allergen management. During the interview, highlight your commitment to maintaining a clean and hygienic kitchen environment. Share any past experiences where you ensured safety in food preparation.
✨Budgeting Skills Matter
Since managing budgets is part of the role, be prepared to discuss how you would handle weekly shopping lists and control stock rotation. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed a budget in previous roles or personal experiences.
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
Let your personality shine through! Employers love candidates who are enthusiastic and committed. Share why you want to work at Choice Care and how you can contribute to creating a positive environment for residents. A can-do attitude goes a long way!