Care Home Cook - Chef

Position: Cook. Reports to: Home Manager.

Benefits:

• NEST Pension Scheme available.
• Free Renewal Enhanced DBS after employment.
• Free Training and Continuous Professional Development Scheme.
• Annual Staff Achievement Award, Recognition Awards including a long service award.
• Employee benefits platform providing discounts at over 150 retailers - Blue Light Card.
• Referral of a colleague's bonus programme.

Objectives of the job:

To plan and provide nutritious meals to all residents daily, ensuring food purchased is fresh and within budget. Ensure all health and safety and environmental health standards are achieved and maintained.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Organisation:

• Participate in staff meetings and in staff training where applicable.
• Report and record appropriately any information considered to be important to the Home Manager.
• Adhere to Christ the King Residential Care Homes’ policies and procedures.
• Any other duties that the post holder may reasonably be expected to perform.

• Ensure that a good standard of hygiene and cleanliness is maintained throughout the kitchen, to meet the required standards of practice prescribed by the Environmental Health Agency.
• To conform to the Care Home’s Food Hygiene procedures.
• Ensure all equipment used is well maintained, and in good working order, and log any defects and report to the manager.
• To prepare, cook and present well-balanced meals and beverages of the highest quality incorporating cultural and dietary needs as required by the residents of the home.
• Work closely with residents to plan menus that reflect choices and preferences.
• Purchase supplies by the planned menu, whilst monitoring and controlling the service from suppliers.
• Ensure all stock ordered is consistent with planned menus that reflect choice and preference.
• Work closely with the Home Manager, by maintaining the catering budget.
• Work closely with the Home Manager to ensure catering services are provided to the appropriate standards to residents.
• Maintain and check First Aid equipment within the Kitchen.
• Maintain accurate stock control.
• Carry out good food Management, temperature controls according to current Food Hygiene regulations.

• Direct and supervise all Kitchen staff and ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities regarding Food Hygiene and preparation, and Health and Safety requirements.

• Kitchen Assistants.

• Be responsible for maintaining an annual catering budget within set parameters.

Skills:

• Ability to lead and manage a team of Kitchen staff.
• Ability to motivate a team of staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Provides service in line with Christ the King Residential care home’s standard of quality whilst remaining within budget.
• Committed to providing a high-quality service.
• Responsive to residents’ individual dietary and cultural needs.
• Capable of creating and working to a budget.
• Willing to attend such training sessions that are deemed necessary by line management.
• Team worker.
• Aptitude towards continuous learning and development.

Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Previous catering experience within a commercial or business setting.
• Understanding of and clear commercial or business setting.
• Food Hygiene Certified – Level 2 as a minimum.
• Willing to work towards Intermediate Food Hygiene.
• First Aid Certified.
• NVQ Level 2/3 in Food Preparation/Catering.
• Understanding and commitment to Equal Opportunities.
• Knowledge of cleaning procedures.