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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious, nutritious meals and engage service users in cooking activities.
- Company: Join CrossReach, a leading social care provider with over 150 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy exclusive discounts, a generous pension plan, health cash plan, and family-friendly policies.
- Why this job: Make a real 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: Respect for Christian values is needed; training and development opportunities available.
As a Cook at Balmedie, you will play an important role in supporting the wellbeing of people using the service by preparing nutritious, well-balanced meals in line with dietary requirements and preferences. You will work closely with the wider team to ensure meals are safe, enjoyable and served in a warm, welcoming environment.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare and cook meals in line with menus, dietary needs and food safety standards
- Support menu planning, taking account of individual preferences and nutritional requirements
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene within the kitchen
- Follow food safety, health and safety, and infection control procedures
- Manage stock, deliveries and food storage appropriately
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to support the smooth running of the service
About you
You will be a reliable and organised individual with experience of working in a kitchen or catering environment. You understand the importance of nutrition, food safety and consistency, particularly within a care setting. You take pride in your work, work well as part of a team and are able to plan your time effectively. A food hygiene qualification is desirable or willingness to work towards one, along with a flexible and positive approach. This role is subject to PVG Scheme membership.
Why join us
- A stable role within one dedicated service
- Supportive, values-led team environment
- Training and development opportunities
- Competitive pay and generous holiday entitlement
- Opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to daily life within the service
Interested?
If you enjoy cooking and want your work to have a positive impact every day, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to join the team at Balmedie.
We also offer you a range of benefits that you would expect from an organisation that support 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.
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 Immigrations. 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.
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Cook employer: CrossReach
Contact Detail:
CrossReach 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 their commitment to providing care through food will help you align your passion for cooking with their goals during any interviews or discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your creativity in meal planning. Think about how you can incorporate fresh, quality ingredients into your dishes while respecting dietary requirements. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've done this in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to demonstrate your organisational skills. You might be asked how you keep a kitchen running smoothly, so think of strategies you've used to maintain cleanliness and safety in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with the community aspect of the role. Be prepared to discuss how you would involve service users in cooking and baking activities, as this is a key part of creating shared moments of joy.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook
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. Remember, do not upload a CV as it will not be used for shortlisting. Complete the application form on Jobtrain as specified in the job posting.
How to prepare for a job interview at CrossReach
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your love for cooking and how it connects with caring for others. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your belief in the power of food to bring people together.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you plan menus, manage kitchen supplies, and maintain a clean and safe environment. Providing specific examples from your past experience can help illustrate your organisational abilities.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Leadership
Since you'll be supervising a catering team, talk about your experience in leading and supporting others in a kitchen setting. Emphasise your ability to create a friendly and organised atmosphere.
✨Understand Dietary Requirements
Familiarise yourself with common dietary needs and restrictions. Be ready to discuss how you would tailor meals to meet these requirements, showing that you can cater to individual preferences and health needs.
