Chef in Harlow

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave, a national programme that is changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means we are working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. We are a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Main duties of Job:

• The post holder will be responsible for the preparation and compliance of their section of the kitchen, including keeping the area clean and safe.
• The cooking and serving in a timely manner of all meals.
• Following recipes and using correct quantities to avoid wastage.
• Following approved methods of preparation and cooking.
• Optimising stock and maintaining kitchen productivity.
• Ensuring Allergen data is correct and all HACCP procedures are compliant.
• Maintaining and ensuring labelling is correct.
• All temperature data is collated and input.
• Attend all Mandatory training and partake of CPD training as requested.
• Provide support and assistance to other team members as required to meet time pressures of role.
• Participate in team toolbox talks and discussions regarding the service and improvements that can be made or lessons learnt.
• The use of departmental computer systems.

Detailed Job Description And Overview:

• The post holder will be responsible for the preparation from scratch of the required meals by following the laid down recipes and methods of the kitchen, cooking of dishes by the prescribed method and the recording of the temperatures reached of the dishes whilst ensuring that the appearance and taste of the dish are correct and that it is ready at the appropriate time.
• Responsibility for keeping your working area clean and safe, also participating in the deep cleaning of sections.
• Following recipes to ensure that over production is kept to a minimum.
• Computer systems within the department will assist you with this but you will still need to have an understanding of maths to adjust quantities.
• Optimising the use of stock by following FIFO and following recipes.
• Using the correct listed products to ensure Allergen compliance and reporting any alternative substitutions that have been supplied so that the correct allergen information can be disseminated to keep Patients and customers safe.
• Ensuring that all food is temperature recorded as required and recorded into the HACCP System.
• All labels should be clear and fully filled out to provide the correct information.
• All food components must be stored correctly in a timely manner in appropriate containers.
• To complete all mandatory training as required by the trust either online or in person.
• To undertake all catering specific training such as Food allergen training, food safety training & Listeria training.
• Support the team as required to complete all tasks and ensure that tight guidelines are met.
• Attend and participate in team meetings where discussions will include feedback and guidelines on how to keep the continual strive to excellence going.
• Understanding and using the department's patient ordering system to collate figures and produce meals.
• To also understand and pass on the data provided to fulfil all special diet requests.