Cook - Henderson Kitchen in Randalstown

Henderson Kitchen, based at our purpose-built facility in Randalstown, is where great-tasting food is made with care. We are the proud creators of ‘The Kitchen’ range – a delicious selection of home-cooked, restaurant-style meals and sides, made using quality ingredients and traditional recipes. Our close-knit team of professional Chefs and Cooks prepare our meals fresh on site before they are packaged, sealed, labelled and distributed to EUROSPAR, SPAR, VIVOxtra and VIVO stores throughout Northern Ireland. We believe good food should be fresh, great quality and good value, and our team is busy all year round creating meals our customers love.

If you enjoy working with quality ingredients, have a passion for great-tasting food and want to be part of a friendly, hardworking kitchen team, Henderson Kitchen could be the perfect place for you. Henderson Kitchen is part of Henderson Group, one of Northern Ireland’s largest family‑owned organisations, offering the security of an established local employer alongside a range of great benefits, including staff discount in our company‑owned EUROSPAR and SPAR stores.

A look into the role

As a Cook at Henderson Kitchen, you’ll play an important part in the preparation and production of our high‑quality meals and sides. A significant part of the role will involve accurately weighing, measuring and preparing raw ingredients in line with recipes and production requirements, ensuring our Chefs have everything they need to cook each dish correctly and consistently. You’ll also support with food preparation and cooking activities across the kitchen as required. Attention to detail is key, as accuracy when weighing ingredients has a direct impact on the taste, quality and consistency of our finished products. You’ll work closely with our experienced Chefs and Cooks to make sure ingredients are prepared to the correct specification and production runs are completed efficiently. You’ll also be responsible for maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness, following all relevant procedures and ensuring the kitchen remains a safe and well‑organised working environment.

Skills for Success

Joining us as a Cook, you don’t need to be a qualified chef or have previous experience working in a professional kitchen – full training will be provided. The minimum criteria you’ll need are:

• A good standard of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to read and follow recipe cards and accurately weigh and measure ingredients
• A basic understanding of, or genuine interest in, food preparation and cooking
• Confidence and willingness to learn how to use a range of commercial kitchen equipment, including ovens, fryers and other food production machinery
• A basic awareness of food hygiene, cleanliness and safe working practices
• Flexibility to work the required shift pattern, including weekend work where applicable

The attributes we’re looking for include:

• Excellent attention to detail, particularly when weighing ingredients and following recipes
• The ability to follow instructions carefully and consistently
• A positive, practical approach and willingness to learn
• Good communication skills
• The ability to work effectively as part of a busy, close‑knit team
• The ability to stay organised and work accurately in a fast‑paced environment

It would be great if you also have:

• Previous experience working in a food production, catering or kitchen environment
• Experience using commercial or industrial kitchen equipment
• A food hygiene or food safety qualification

Don’t worry if you don’t have all of the desirable experience – we’re much more interested in finding someone who is reliable, attentive and keen to learn.

Are we right for you?

As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by:

• Ambition: We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
• Customer First: We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
• Teamwork: We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
• Integrity: We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.

The Reward

The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business that places our communities at the heart of what we do. Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people. Benefits include:

• Market competitive salary
• Contributory pension scheme
• Healthcare
• Life assurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Social club
• Discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland
• Staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more

This is a full‑time position working 38 hours per week, across any 5 days out of 7. Working days will predominantly be Monday to Friday, although occasional weekend working may be required, particularly around Bank Holidays. Typical working hours will fall between 6.00am and 3.00pm, therefore some flexibility around start and finish times will be required to support the needs of the operation. Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to discuss the available shift patterns and working arrangements in more detail at interview.

We are an equal opportunities employer.