At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in preparing and serving nutritious meals with a focus on kindness.
- 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 while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and a passion for teamwork.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a diverse, inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
HC-One are looking for an Assistant Chef with at least a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and a 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. Whenever you communicate with a Resident or co‑worker, you’ll be truly considerate and kind.
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. 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
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.
- 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:
- 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
Assistant Chef employer: HC-One Ltd
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 understand their focus on kindness and how you can contribute to that positive environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Be ready to discuss your experience with food hygiene and recipe adherence. Maybe even bring a dish to share if the opportunity arises—nothing says 'I’m the right fit' like sharing your culinary creations!
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to chat about teamwork! HC-One values collaboration, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a kitchen setting. Highlight your ability to support your colleagues and keep the kitchen running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you note expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Chef
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 in a kitchen setting or elsewhere. Remember, at HC-One, kindness is key!
Be Organised and Clear: When writing your application, keep it organised and to the point. Use clear headings and bullet points where necessary. This shows us that you can meet deadlines and present information attractively—just like you would with food!
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’ve got the skills to back up your passion for cooking nutritious meals.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role right there!
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 before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you apply these principles in a kitchen setting, especially regarding Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. This shows that you take food safety seriously!
✨Showcase Your Kindness
Since kindness is at the heart of HC-One, think of examples where you've demonstrated compassion in your previous roles. Whether it’s helping a colleague or making a resident feel special, share those stories to highlight your natural ability to connect with people.
✨Be Organised and Ready
Prepare to talk about how you manage your time and keep things organised in a busy kitchen. Bring up specific instances where you met deadlines or handled multiple tasks efficiently. This will show that you can thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Embrace Technology
With HC-One 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.