Assistant Chef

Assistant Chef

Chelmsford Full-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Cook and serve nutritious meals while supporting the First Chef and managing kitchen operations.
  • Company: Join HC-One, where kindness is at the heart of everything we do.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible access to earnings, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives through your culinary skills and compassion.
  • Qualifications: Must have Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and a strong understanding of HACCP.
  • Other info: Great career growth opportunities with ongoing training and a diverse, inclusive team.

About The Role

HC-One are looking for an Assistant Chef with at least a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and great understanding of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. Beyond that, it’s all about your brilliant, positive energy and natural ability to get along with people. You’ll be organised and meet deadlines, present your food attractively and have a knack for following recipes perfectly. And, whenever you communicate with a Resident or co-worker, you’ll be truly considerate and kind. This role includes a £1,000 welcome bonus.

In your role as an Assistant Chef at HC-One, you’ll value one thing above all. Kindness. It carries across every aspect of our Dementia, Nursing, Residential and Specialist Care homes. Every single person who works here understands that our Residents are people just like them with their own stories to tell. By joining HC-One you’ll have a wonderful opportunity to give something back to those people.

As an Assistant Chef that will mean cooking and serving nutritious, healthy meals that our Residents will love. You’ll provide outstanding support to our First Chef, taking charge in their absence. And, whether you’re managing the food stock, working out how to make the most of your budget, coaching a colleague or supervising the kitchen clean-up, you’ll always have Resident wellbeing in mind above anything else.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and therefore it is important that you are able to recognise the signs which may indicate possible abuse, harm or neglect in its different forms and know what to do if there are any concerns. All colleagues are required to attend safeguarding training appropriate to their role and to undertake additional training in associated areas. You also have the ability to seek appropriate advice and report concerns, including escalation if action is not taken.

About HC-One

At HC-One, kindness is more than a word—it’s a way of life. We believe that caring for people means caring about what matters most to them, so we can support them to live their best possible lives.

To provide the kindest possible care, everyone at HC-One brings and nurtures five key qualities—what we call Kindness the HC-One Way:

  • We are curious—asking questions, seeking to understand.
  • We are compassionate—walking in the shoes of others.
  • We are creative—finding practical ways to make things happen.
  • We are courageous—supporting residents to live the life they choose.
  • And we are dependable—people can always count on us.

We champion inclusivity, fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves. Our diverse workforce helps us learn from one another and better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds into our HC-One family and prioritise inclusive working practices across everything we do.

We are also enhancing the way we support residents through digital care planning. This technology is helping us streamline care, improve outcomes, and make daily tasks more efficient. As we continue to grow our digital capabilities, we’re looking for team members who are comfortable with technology—or open to learning. You\\\’ll be supported every step of the way.

We care about our colleagues and are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. From the moment you receive a job offer, we aim for the quickest possible turnaround to get you started, with full support every step of the way. With clear career pathways, continuous professional development, and postgraduate programmes, HC-One will invest in your growth—opening up opportunities at regional and national levels.

Please note: We are only able to consider applications from individuals who already have the full right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we cannot offer sponsorship or accept applications from those on a time-limited visa. Applications that do not meet this criteria will not be progressed.

Rewards & Benefits

You will enjoy access to a huge variety of benefits and services to support your physical and psychological well-being and throughout your career as an Assistant Chef we will invest in you and you will enjoy additional support and benefits including:

  • £1,000 welcome bonus
  • Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG
  • Free uniform
  • Hourly rate is subject to experience and qualifications.
  • During a shift of eight hours or more a nutritious meal will be available
  • Company pension scheme
  • 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
  • Group life assurance cover
  • Wagestream – financial wellbeing and flexible access to pay as you need it
  • Award-winning learning and development and support to achieve qualifications.
  • GP online – a service providing around the clock GP consultation via an interactive app – available to you and your children under 16
  • An opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues as part of an outstanding and committed team.
  • Colleague discounts – Access to over 1600 high street discounts including carefully selected discount partners.
  • Wellbeing – free of charge access to an independent and confidential Employee Assistance Programme. This gives Colleagues and their family access to 24/7 365 support for a whole range of issues including physical, mental and financial issues
  • Excellent recognition schemes such as ‘Kindness in Care’ and Long Service Awards
  • An attractive refer a friend scheme of up to £1000 per referral, depending on the role

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Assistant Chef employer: HC-One Ltd

At HC-One, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values kindness and inclusivity in every aspect of our work culture. As an Assistant Chef, you will not only have the opportunity to create nutritious meals for our Residents but also benefit from comprehensive training, clear career pathways, and a supportive environment that fosters personal and professional growth. With competitive rewards, flexible access to pay, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, HC-One is dedicated to ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact.
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Contact Detail:

HC-One Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out HC-One's values and mission. Show them you’re not just a great cook but also someone who embodies kindness and compassion. It’ll help you stand out!

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your communication skills! As an Assistant Chef, you'll need to connect with both Residents and colleagues. Try role-playing common scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence and show off your kindness during the interview.

✨Tip Number 3

Be ready to showcase your culinary skills! If possible, bring along a dish or two that highlights your ability to follow recipes and present food attractively. This will give the interviewers a taste of what you can bring to the table!

✨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 HC-One family and contributing to their mission of kindness.

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Chef

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)
Organisation Skills
Deadline Management
Recipe Adherence
Communication Skills
Kindness and Consideration
Teamwork
Supervisory Skills
Budget Management
Food Stock Management
Safeguarding Awareness
Adaptability to Technology
Coaching Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Kindness: In your application, let your kindness shine through! Share examples of how you've positively impacted others, whether it's in a kitchen setting or elsewhere. Remember, at HC-One, kindness is key!

Highlight Your Skills: Make sure to mention your Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and any experience with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. We want to see that you know your stuff when it comes to food safety and hygiene!

Be Organised: Demonstrate your organisational skills in your application. Talk about how you manage your time, meet deadlines, and keep things running smoothly in the kitchen. We love a well-structured application!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity to join our HC-One family.

How to prepare for a job interview at HC-One Ltd

✨Know Your Hygiene Basics

Make sure you brush up on your Level 2 Food Hygiene knowledge and understand Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). Be ready to discuss how you apply these principles in the kitchen, as it shows you're serious about food safety.

✨Showcase Your Kindness

HC-One values kindness above all. Think of examples where you've demonstrated compassion and consideration, whether with colleagues or residents. Share stories that highlight your ability to connect with others and create a positive atmosphere.

✨Be Organised and Prepared

Demonstrate your organisational skills by discussing how you manage your time and resources in the kitchen. Prepare to talk about how you follow recipes accurately and meet deadlines, as this will show you can handle the demands of the role.

✨Embrace Technology

Since HC-One is enhancing their digital capabilities, be open about your comfort level with technology. If you have experience with digital care planning or kitchen management software, mention it! If not, express your willingness to learn and adapt.

Assistant Chef
HC-One Ltd
Location: Chelmsford

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