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- Tasks: Create delicious meals and lead engaging workshops to support residents' health and wellbeing.
- Company: Join a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming lives through quality care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while pursuing your passion for cooking and nutrition.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking, budgeting, and a strong understanding of food safety required.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and a chance to empower individuals facing complex challenges.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 36400 £ per year.
Location: Bedford. This service does not have full step free access.
Salary: £26,000 (full time equivalent)
Shift Pattern: 22.5 hours per week, Monday to Sunday. Shifts flexible around meal preparation 5 days per week including weekends. Hours may vary dependent on service and resident requirements.
About The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Chef & Nutrition Coach to join our brand new service opening in April 2026! As a Chef & Nutrition Coach in the service, you will improve dietary habits, optimise health, personalise as well as create meals for our diverse and marginalised residents as they seek recovery. You will need to understand ordering and budgeting as well as have a strong understanding of food safety. A solid understanding of meal planning, dietary needs, and allergy control is essential, but your most important quality will be that you are a people person who is willing to engage with our residents as you tailor healthy and delicious meals to satisfy their needs and wants. This service is an 11 bed, community based mental health crisis and step down service offering short stay, trauma informed support. The team will support our residents who are at risk of admission but can be supported outside of mental health hospital settings, by providing tailored support to help them overcome personal barriers and achieve their goals, to live more fulfilled lives and independent living.
Key Responsibilities
- Planning, preparing and cooking food then serving this to residents.
- Plan and deliver purposeful workshops and activities for residents to participate in to develop life skills.
- Plan and prepare food for cooking on days when off duty.
- Ensure the kitchen is kept equipped with food supplies, equipment and tools.
- Maintain the kitchen and communal areas to ensure they are always kept clean and tidy.
- Ensure food and beverages are readily available for residents.
- Take ownership of self-development to stay aligned with industry and role specific requirements within the role.
- Budget Management: Work within the provided budget to ensure cost effectiveness.
About You
We are looking for someone who has a passion for cooking, food and nutrition, partnered with a desire to make a real difference to people's lives. We are looking for someone with a hands-on approach to their work, able to take ownership and use your own initiative to solve challenges and support residents with understanding the importance of nutrition and diet in their daily lives. You will understand the marginalisation that people with multiple, complex needs face within society, and be driven to help our residents to overcome personal barriers.
What We Are Looking For
- Someone who can plan and cook healthy, tasty and tailored food.
- A good understanding of food costs and basic budgeting.
- Ability and willingness to show flexibility of working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and residents.
- A good understanding of Food Safety and Health and Safety Regulations.
- Someone who can share and teach basic cooking skills to interested residents.
- Experience of working with people of complex backgrounds, ideally those who have faced challenges with their mental health.
What We Offer
- 25 days (Full time Equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service.
- Employer Pension Contribution.
- Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card.
- Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more.
- Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work.
- Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans.
- Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling.
- Life Assurance Scheme.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Annual Staff Awards.
- EDI Ambassador programme.
About Social Interest Group (SIG)
SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Additional Information
Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages. Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Please note that this will take you through to our Central Administration team, who will then communicate your enquiry with us and we will arrange to call you back. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.
Chef & Nutrition Coach in Bedford employer: Dublin Gestalt Centre,psychotherapy,counselling and coaching and training providers
Contact Detail:
Dublin Gestalt Centre,psychotherapy,counselling and coaching and training providers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef & Nutrition Coach in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Social Interest Group. Understand their mission and values, especially how they empower independence and support mental health. This will help you connect your passion for cooking and nutrition with their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Bring along a portfolio or examples of your meal plans and workshops you've conducted in the past. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can tailor meals to meet diverse dietary needs and engage residents in learning about nutrition.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about flexibility! Since the role requires adapting to the needs of the service and residents, think of examples where you've successfully adjusted your approach in previous jobs. This shows you're a team player who can handle the dynamic environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission to create healthier communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef & Nutrition Coach in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your love for cooking and nutrition shine through in your application. We want to see how you can make a real difference in people's lives with your culinary skills!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially working with diverse or marginalised groups. We’re looking for someone who understands the unique challenges our residents face.
Be Personable: Since this role is all about engaging with residents, don’t shy away from showcasing your people skills. Share examples of how you've connected with others in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly, so don’t wait too long!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dublin Gestalt Centre,psychotherapy,counselling and coaching and training providers
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of nutrition and dietary needs. Be ready to discuss how you can tailor meals for diverse residents, considering their specific health requirements and preferences.
✨Show Off Your People Skills
As a Chef & Nutrition Coach, engaging with residents is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully interacted with people in the past, especially those from complex backgrounds. Highlight your ability to create a welcoming environment.
✨Budgeting Basics
Understand the basics of food budgeting and cost management. Be prepared to discuss how you would manage a kitchen budget effectively while still providing nutritious meals. This shows you can balance quality with cost-effectiveness.
✨Safety First
Familiarise yourself with food safety regulations and health standards. Be ready to explain how you ensure a clean and safe kitchen environment, as well as how you would teach these practices to residents during workshops.
