At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious, nutritious meals and plan menus while keeping the kitchen safe and organised.
- Company: Join CrossReach, a leading social care provider in Scotland 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 difference through food, connect with others, and grow in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Food Handling Certificate, catering experience, organisational skills, and a passion for food.
- Other info: Respect for Christian values is essential; PVG membership required.
Job Description
We are looking for a Cook to prepare nutritious, well-balanced meals in a residential care setting, supporting people to enjoy good food as part of a comfortable and welcoming home environment. This role plays an important part in daily life, contributing to wellbeing, routine and enjoyment.
You will work closely with care teams to ensure meals meet individual dietary needs and preferences, while maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene.
What you will do
* Prepare and cook fresh, nutritious meals for residents
* Plan menus that reflect dietary requirements, preferences and cultural needs
* Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety
* Manage stock, ordering and storage of food supplies
* Ensure kitchen areas are clean, organised and compliant with regulations
* Work collaboratively with colleagues to support daily routines
About you
You will have experience working in a kitchen environment and be confident preparing meals for groups, ideally within a care, hospitality or similar setting. You will understand the importance of nutrition, consistency and presentation, and be organised, reliable and able to work independently. A Food Hygiene Certificate is desirable, or willingness to work towards this.
Why join us
* A rewarding role where food makes a real difference to daily life
* Supportive team environment
* Membership of Perkbox for retail and leisure discounts
* Eligibility to apply for a Blue Light Discount Card
* Generous pension and death in service Life Assurance benefit
* Health cash plan, enhanced family-friendly policies and access to a care concierge service
This role requires membership of the PVG Scheme.
If you are looking for a Cook role where your skills are genuinely valued, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch today to find out more and take the next step
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 amember 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.
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.
Cook - Part Time employer: CrossReach
Contact Detail:
CrossReach Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook - Part Time
✨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 experience in creating nutritious meals tailored to individual preferences. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've catered to dietary requirements in previous roles, as this is a key aspect of the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to demonstrate your organisational skills. Think of ways you've successfully managed kitchen operations, maintained cleanliness, and ensured food safety, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with the community around CrossReach. Attend local events or workshops related to food and care, as networking can provide insights and connections that may enhance your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook - Part Time
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.
Follow Application Instructions: Since CrossReach specifies not to upload a CV, ensure you complete the application form on Jobtrain as instructed. Provide all necessary information and avoid submitting any documents that are not requested.
Check Your Details: Before submitting your application, double-check that all your details are accurate, especially your email address. This will help ensure you receive all communications regarding your application.
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 food as a way to bring people together.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you plan menus and manage kitchen operations. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully maintained a clean and safe kitchen environment.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, ask questions about the team dynamics and how they involve service users in cooking activities. This shows your interest in creating shared moments of joy through food.
✨Highlight Your Food Safety Knowledge
Since food safety is crucial in this role, be ready to talk about your Food Handling Certificate and any relevant experiences. Discuss how you ensure compliance with food safety standards in your previous roles.