At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and serve healthy meals while managing budgets and ensuring kitchen safety.
- Company: Choice Care, a supportive environment focused on staff wellbeing.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, sick pay, Christmas bonus, and comprehensive health support.
- Other info: Enjoy career growth with in-house training and a fun workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a difference in residents' lives while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Organised, enthusiastic, and able to follow dietary requirements.
The predicted salary is between 12.8 - 12.8 £ per hour.
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
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
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 their 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 - this 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 pay day 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.
Cook in Winchester employer: Choice Care Group
At Choice Care, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our cooks. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we provide generous benefits such as 28 days of holiday, comprehensive health support, and opportunities for professional growth through in-house training programmes. Our commitment to recognising staff contributions is evident through our annual awards and unique perks like birthday leave and financial wellbeing resources, making us a rewarding place to build your career in the culinary field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook in Winchester
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Choice Care Group and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Choice Care Group that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Choice Care Group.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Choice Care Group get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Choice Care Group
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Choice Care Group and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
