Cook

Cook

Inverness Full-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create delicious, nutritious meals and engage service users in cooking activities.
  • Company: CrossReach has been providing high-quality social care for over 150 years.
  • Benefits: Enjoy exclusive discounts, a generous pension plan, health cash plan, and family-friendly policies.
  • Why this job: Make a difference through food while working in a supportive, inclusive environment.
  • Qualifications: Food Handling Certificate and catering experience required; passion for food is essential.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to social care and personal development.

As a Cook with CrossReach, you will play a key role in preparing nutritious, well-balanced meals that support the health, wellbeing and enjoyment of the people who use our services. You will help create positive, welcoming mealtimes while working as part of a wider team to maintain high standards of food quality and safety.

This post is offered on a part-time, job share basis. The full role is 38.5 hours per week, which can be flexibly split across two part-time appointments, with hours agreed to suit the successful candidates and the needs of the service.

What your role will involve

  • Preparing and cooking balanced meals in line with planned menus
  • Catering for individual dietary needs, preferences and cultural requirements
  • Maintaining high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and kitchen safety
  • Managing stock, food storage and kitchen supplies
  • Ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and procedures
  • Working collaboratively with colleagues to support positive mealtime experiences

About you

You will have experience of cooking in a professional or large-scale kitchen environment and a sound understanding of food hygiene and safety standards. You are organised, reliable and take pride in preparing food that is both nutritious and appealing. You will work with care, respect and professionalism, contributing positively to the team and the wider service in line with the values of CrossReach.

What you’ll gain

You’ll be part of a supportive, values-led organisation where your contribution is genuinely valued. We offer training, ongoing support and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through your work every day.

Benefits

We also offer you a range of benefits that you would expect from an organisation that supports others. Firstly, there is access to a wide range of exclusive retail and leisure discounts through our rewards scheme and the Blue Light Discount card. We also ensure that your future and that of your loved ones is secured with a generous contributory pension plan and death in service benefit. Balancing work and family are made easier with our suite of enhanced family friendly policies and your health and wellness are prioritised with access to our health cash plan, giving you cash back for a wide range of health treatments. We even have access to a care concierge service to assist you with life\’s challenges, providing invaluable support when you need it most.

But we also know that your training and development is important to you, and as well as a contribution to your professional membership fees, we are keen to support you in making the right steps to learn, grow and develop in ways that are right for you.

CrossReach has been at the forefront of high quality social care for over 150 years, providing loving care to people of all ages and supporting them to live life to the full whatever their circumstances. During that time, we have worked hard to understand the needs of the people who turn to us for help and with them have been at the forefront of pioneering services which have literally changed thousands of lives for the better.

Today we are one of the largest social care providers in Scotland, with experience across a broad range of services. We are still growing, learning, and improving, thanks to the incredible people we have the privilege to support, and all those who support us. We are part of the Church of Scotland and aim to provide social care services and specialist resources in Christ’s name to further the caring work of the Church to people in challenging circumstances.

Religious and Safety Requirements

As a Christian organisation, you will need to have a respect for all aspects of Christian worship. You will also need to become a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and undertake the necessary vetting checks. You will also be required to adhere to the SSSC Code of practice. We have a legal obligation to ensure that we do not employ any worker who has not been granted the relevant permission to work in the UK. This permission is without exception granted by UK Visas and Immigration. We are required to check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees, regardless of nationality or job category.

We are committed to ensuring that we attract, retain, and develop the very best people to build a diverse and talented team and we recognise that every individual’s unique background, experience and ability contributes to our success. We aim to create an inclusive and inspiring environment where individuals feel valued and respected and where people can belong, thrive and be their very best, whoever they are.

If you have any queries regarding this role or our recruitment process, please contact the Recruitment team on recruitment.team@crossreach.org.uk

Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert prior to the closing date. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

Additional Information for Candidates

  • Application Process: Please apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain. You can find out more about our recruitment process CrossReach Recruitment Process
  • CV Upload: DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
  • Deadline: Posts close at midnight on the indicated date.
  • Application Assistance: For help completing an application on Jobtrain, please click here – Application Guidance – Jobtrain
  • To view our accessibility statement, please click here. CrossReach Accessibility Statement
  • Communication: Please note that most of our communication is via email; therefore, please ensure you enter your email address accurately and ensure that “Jobtrain” and “CrossReach” are marked as safe email address. However, we will at times also call you or send you a text message.
  • Check Email Regularly: Please check your email regularly (including junk folders) and also your Jobtrain account for updates.
  • Support Hub: For advice and support with any system issues, please contact Jobtrain Candidate Support Hub – Jobtrain – Jobseekers Support Hub
  • Browser Recommendation: We recommend using the internet browsers Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge when using Jobtrain.
  • Amendments: Once you have submitted your application form, you will be unable to make any amendments.

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Cook employer: CrossReach Trading Ltd.

At CrossReach, we believe in the power of food to comfort and connect, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about culinary care. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee well-being with generous benefits, including a contributory pension plan, health cash plan, and extensive training opportunities to foster personal and professional growth. Join us in our mission to provide high-quality social care in Scotland, where your contributions will truly make a difference in the lives of others.
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Contact Detail:

CrossReach Trading Ltd. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Cook

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with CrossReach's mission and values. Understanding how they integrate food into their care services will help you align your passion for cooking with their goals, making you a more appealing candidate.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your ability to create tailored menus by preparing a few sample dishes that cater to various dietary requirements. This hands-on demonstration can set you apart during the interview process.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with current or former employees of CrossReach. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable in your discussions with the hiring team.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience in maintaining a clean and safe kitchen environment. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've implemented food safety practices in previous roles.

We think you need these skills to ace Cook

Food Handling Certificate
Catering Experience
Hospitality Experience
Menu Planning
Knowledge of Dietary Requirements
Food Safety Regulations
Organisational Skills
Team Supervision
Basic Computer Skills
Communication Skills
Creativity in Meal Preparation
Ability to Engage Service Users
Adaptability
Respect for Christian Values

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand what CrossReach is looking for in a Cook. Pay attention to the specific skills and experiences they value, such as food handling certification and catering experience.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Use examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to create nutritious meals and manage a kitchen effectively.

Show Your Passion: Express your passion for food and how it can connect people in your application. Share any personal anecdotes or experiences that illustrate your belief in the power of food to comfort and inspire.

Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you follow the application instructions precisely. Since CrossReach specifies not to upload a CV, focus on completing the application form thoroughly and accurately, providing all requested information.

How to prepare for a job interview at CrossReach Trading Ltd.

✨Show Your Passion for Food

Make sure to express your love for cooking and how it can bring people together. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your belief in food as a way to care and connect with others.

✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills

Be prepared to discuss how you plan menus, manage kitchen supplies, and maintain cleanliness. Provide examples of how you've successfully organised a kitchen or catered for specific dietary needs in the past.

✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience

Since you'll be supervising a catering team, share examples of how you've worked collaboratively in previous roles. Discuss any leadership experiences and how you foster a friendly and organised kitchen environment.

✨Prepare for Questions on Food Safety

Brush up on your knowledge of food safety regulations and practices. Be ready to answer questions about your Food Handling Certificate and how you ensure a safe kitchen environment for both staff and service users.

Cook
CrossReach Trading Ltd.
Location: Inverness
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