Main area Facilities Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week (Between 06.30 and 20.00 on a 7 week rota Catering works 365 days a year) Job ref 210-2026-687
Site Countess of Chester Hospital Town Chester Salary £25,760 - £27,476 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 18/10/2026 23:59
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Part Time: 22.5 hours per week
Support the Deputy Head of Catering in achieving the highest standards of food preparation, cooking and service. The post holder will provide attractive and palatable meals to hospital patients, staff and visitors, and will adopt responsibility at all times for the quality and outcome of each dish prepared and each task undertaken.
The chef will have a commitment to the highest standards of personal hygiene and dress, and take full responsibility for ensuring safe food hygiene and health & safety practices are observed at all times.
Assist in the preparation, cooking and service of food for Ellesmere Port Hospital.
Enhancements apply as follows:
Main duties of the job
- Prepare, cook and serve meals as per menu to patients, staff and visitors, ensuring the highest standards of food hygiene throughout the process.
- Observe and maintain all necessary "due diligence" records as requested, i.e.: Fridge, Freezer Temperature recordings, HACCP.
- Follow/implement all aspects of food safety management systems, for which you are responsible.
- Follow standard recipes and methods and make the most economical use of fresh/raw ingredients, whilst maintaining strict avoidance of waste.
- Allocate work to the kitchen support staff, in conjunction with the Deputy Head /Manager, and assist in the induction and training of newly appointed Chefs, catering assistants and porters.
- Check that all food received is in accordance with quality and quantity ordered, adopting basic stock control principles.
- Assist in the ordering of certain perishable foods and dairy store items.
Working for our organisation
The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:
The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules
Person specification
Qualification
- City & Guilds 706/1&2 or NVQ Equivalent.
- Good standard of English & Maths.
- Level 3 Award in Food Safety - Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate.
- Basic health & Safety Certificate and Allergen Awareness.
- Chef experience in an industrial kitchen/traditional cooking.
- Level 4 Food Safety Management
Knowledge and Experience
- Experience in the preparation of therapeutic diets
- Working knowledge of HACCP principles and their specific application for catering
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.
The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules
For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.
Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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Chef in Chester employer: Countess of Chester
At Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every staff member is valued. Our commitment to continuous improvement and high-performance culture ensures that you will have ample opportunities for professional growth while making a meaningful impact on the lives of families in our community. With flexible working options and a focus on family-integrated care, this is an excellent place to advance your career as a Senior Neonatal Practitioner in the heart of Chester.
