At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team, creating delicious meals for our vibrant community.
- Company: Join Friends of the Elderly, a charity with over 120 years of caring experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension contributions, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Shape the culture of a brand-new care home with state-of-the-art facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of older people every day.
- Qualifications: Food handling qualification and experience in a similar role required.
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time
Work Pattern: Working on a rolling rota of 3 consecutive days on and 3 consecutive days off
Hours: 35 per week (average) (10 hours shifts 8am to 6pm) - Days and Weekends
Friends of the Elderly (FotE) is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to providing excellent care with a family feel, we have been supporting older people for over 120 years. The charity provides care home and day care services for older people, as well as grants for older people in financial difficulty.
About Friends Place, Calcot:
Friends Place, Calcot is more than just a care home - It’s a vibrant, welcoming community designed to provide exceptional residential, dementia, and respite care. Run by Friends of the Elderly, where we pride ourselves on delivering personalised, compassionate care in a state-of-the-art facility. Located in the heart of Calcot, Reading, our home features a cinema, a salon, a tea room and a vibrant bar designed to create a warm and homely environment where residents feel safe, valued, and supported.
We are recruiting for Kitchen/Chef Manager to join the team. Joining us as a Kitchen/Chef Manager you will be working as part of a dedicated team. On a day to day basis you will lead and manage the catering team with the day-to-day production & services within an agreed budget and standards for the Kitchen. You will create an atmosphere where a passion for great food and service is embedded within the team and demonstrate a positive, respectful and professional approach. You will prioritise collaboration, mutual support and collective success in achieving team goals.
With the residents at the heart of everything you do, you will plan and cost menus in keeping within agreed budgets and ensure that standards are consistently maintained. You will embrace a challenge delivering with a can-do attitude and you will be dedicated to maintaining hygienic and safe working practices in compliance with legislation & company Food Hygiene and Health and Safety Policies.
We are looking for a catering professional with a relevant food handling qualification and with good experience in a similar role, who will be committed to continuous improvement, constantly seeking opportunities for learning. You’ll need to have the ability to use various forms of digital technology to assist with ordering supplies along with the ability to organise and be methodical with tasks. With a good standard of number skills, you'll have the ability to do basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. An excellent team player, you’ll be able to recognise and report situations where there might be a need for safeguarding.
This isn’t just a job; it’s about making a difference to older people’s lives every day.
Why Join Friends of the Elderly?
- Heritage of Care: Work with a trusted organisation backed by over a century of expertise.
- Non-Profit Mission: Be part of a charity that prioritises people, not profit.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Lead a cutting-edge care home designed for comfort and community.
- Professional Development: Access training and career development opportunities.
In return for your hard work and dedication, you can look forward to a wealth of benefits:
- Group Pension Plan, with a 6% contribution from us.
- Generous annual leave.
- Wellbeing support through various initiatives, including an employee assistance programme.
- Learning, development, and progression opportunities.
- Monthly prize draw, with 3 prizes to be won.
- Retail discount schemes to make your salary go further.
- Access to loans at affordable rates, saving directly from salary and advance pay already earned.
- Health cash plans for you and your family.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Long service awards that increase with length of service.
- Refer a friend to work for us and receive a £200 bonus.
- Uniforms are provided.
- Free DBS checks.
Safeguarding: Keeping everyone safe is one of the charity’s core values, and is central to everything we do at Friends of the Elderly. All staff follow our Safeguarding Policy & Procedures and, if they see or suspect abuse, we expect staff to report it straight away.
Criminal record checks: As this role involves a regulated activity, successful applicants will undertake an enhanced DBS check, with barred lists check, and any offer of employment will be dependent on a satisfactory outcome. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a person from working for us, this will depend on the circumstances and background of any record.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Friends of the Elderly strives to treat all staff equally and be a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone can be themselves and everyone accepts each other’s differences. A charity where everyone is equal but definitely not the same. Our ambition is to ensure equality and celebrate diversity, all working together to create an inclusive workplace, which attracts and retains the best people. People that care and can make a difference.
We currently do not provide sponsorship but we welcome applications from those who have a right work in the UK. Don’t delay in sending your application as we may need to close the vacancy early if we manage to appoint before the advertising closing date. We interview applicants as they apply.
Kitchen / Chef Manager in Calcot employer: Friends of the Elderly
At Friends of the Elderly, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of older people. Our supportive work culture fosters personal growth and development, offering comprehensive training and wellbeing initiatives, alongside competitive benefits such as paid breaks, retail discounts, and a group pension plan. Located in the picturesque Malvern area, our care homes provide a nurturing environment where compassionate individuals can thrive while delivering person-centred care to our residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen / Chef Manager in Calcot
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Friends of the Elderly. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Friends of the Elderly
Don't be shy about reaching out to Friends of the Elderly directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen / Chef Manager in Calcot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Friends of the Elderly and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Friends of the Elderly
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
