At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare delicious, homemade meals that bring joy and comfort to residents.
- Company: Join EQ Care Group, a compassionate provider of exceptional elderly care.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment with opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a new care home opening in Spring 2026, focused on enriching lives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through the power of food.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking or catering, with a passion for wholesome food.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 € per year.
40 hours per week to include alternate weekends at Willow Lodge, 46 Shrewsbury Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 6BH.
Do you want a fresh approach to food and dining? If you are a cook or chef from a hotel, restaurant or care background who takes pride in preparing high-quality, homemade food, this is an opportunity to bring your skills into a setting where food is at the heart of daily life. At Willow Lodge, we operate a Household Model of Care, where people live in smaller, family‑style environments. Food is freshly prepared in the kitchen and cooked on each household. This is personal, and central to creating a warm and welcoming home as well as delivering a meaningful dining experience every day.
Role Overview
As a Cook, you will be responsible for preparing nutritious, home‑cooked meals tailored to peoples’ preferences and dietary needs. Working within the kitchen alongside the Head Chef, you will help create a dining experience that feels familiar, comforting and enjoyable. You will play a key role in supporting wellbeing through food, ensuring meals are both high quality and suited to individual requirements, including modified diets in line with the IDDSI framework.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Prepare fresh, homemade meals using quality ingredients
- Plan and deliver menus that reflect residents’ preferences and nutritional needs
- Cater for a range of dietary requirements, including texture‑modified diets (IDDSI)
- Ensure food presentation enhances the overall dining experience
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness
- Manage stock, ordering and kitchen organisation
- Work closely with care teams to support peoples’ individual needs
Skills, Qualifications and Abilities
- Experience as a cook or chef in a hotel, restaurant or care setting
- A passion for producing wholesome, home‑style food
- Knowledge or willingness to learn the IDDSI framework
- Understanding of nutrition and dietary requirements, particularly in older people
- Strong organisation and time management skills
- A team‑focused approach with a positive and flexible attitude
The Company and Care Home
EQ Care Group is a trusted provider of exceptional elderly care, dedicated to creating warm, compassionate environments where individuals can truly thrive. Operating for three years now, we currently have five homes open, with more being built to expand our portfolio. We specialise in delivering high quality care to those who need it most, with a focus on dementia care and other complex needs. Our approach goes beyond simply meeting physical needs—we strive to create meaningful, enriching experiences for the people living in our homes. What sets us apart is our commitment to emotional intelligence, compassionate service, and personalised care. Willow Lodge is to open in the Spring of 2026. Our newly built 78‑bed nursing and dementia specialist care home, which includes 2 dedicated respite studios in the heart of Redhill, combines modern comfort with classic charm, offering a welcoming home for people who need care.
Cook (Hospitality / Care Experience) in Surrey employer: EQ Care
At EQ Care Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the contributions of our culinary team in creating a warm and welcoming environment for our residents. With a focus on personal growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and training in specialised dietary needs, all within a supportive and compassionate work culture. Located in the heart of Redhill, our new Willow Lodge care home is set to provide a unique dining experience that prioritises quality and comfort, making it an ideal place for passionate cooks to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook (Hospitality / Care Experience) in Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Willow Lodge and EQ Care Group to understand their values and approach. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local hospitality events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to cooking and dietary needs. Think about how you can showcase your experience in creating home-cooked meals and catering to individual preferences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Willow Lodge.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook (Hospitality / Care Experience) in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let us know why you love cooking! Share your experiences and what drives you to create delicious, homemade meals. We want to see that spark in your words!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the role at Willow Lodge. Highlight any experience you have with dietary requirements or working in care settings. This will show us that you understand our mission and values.
Keep It Clean and Professional:Just like in the kitchen, presentation matters! Make sure your application is well-organised and free of typos. A clean, professional look will help us take you seriously as a candidate.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at EQ Care
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of ingredients you'll be using in the role. Be ready to discuss your experience with fresh, homemade meals and how you can cater to various dietary needs, especially those related to older people.
✨Showcase Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for cooking shine through! Share stories about your previous experiences in hospitality or care settings, focusing on how you created memorable dining experiences for residents or guests.
✨Understand the IDDSI Framework
Brush up on the IDDSI framework and be prepared to explain how you would implement it in your cooking. This shows that you're not only knowledgeable but also committed to meeting the specific dietary requirements of residents.
✨Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with care teams. Discuss how you can support individual needs through food and how you’ve successfully worked in a team environment in the past.
