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- Tasks: Prepare and serve delicious meals for students, ensuring cultural and dietary needs are met.
- Company: Join the welcoming Chaplaincy team at Heriot-Watt University.
- Benefits: Part-time hours, competitive salary, and a chance to make a difference in student wellbeing.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant community, enhancing the student experience through hospitality and support.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Food and Hygiene Certificate and strong organisational skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns available, fostering an inclusive environment.
The predicted salary is between 24215 - 26093 ÂŁ per year.
Grade and Salary: Grade 4 ÂŁ24,215 - ÂŁ26,093 per annum FTE
Working pattern: Part time Wednesday 14h00-19h00 (5 hours per week during semester time) and one other hour to be worked when convenient and can be from home. The hours are worked over a total of 38 weeks, September to May.
The Chaplaincy is a place of welcome and hospitality, cultural meeting-place and a place for prayer and worship. Hospitality and meals play a large part in creating that “at home” environment for students. Part of the Student Wellbeing Service, it is based in its own premises at the Edinburgh campus where there are approximately 9000 students. The purpose of the Chaplaincy is to enhance the student experience by promoting spiritual and social wellbeing to people of all faiths and those with no religious affiliation, by providing a multi‑cultural meeting place for mutual support and interaction. It has a key place in the University’s Strategy of Building Flourishing Communities. It plays a key role in delivering events that form part of the student experience and in particular, for our International students.
The work of Chaplaincy is headed up by the University Chaplain, and a team including a part‑time Imam, an International Student Worker, an Executive Assistant and a number of volunteers from the local community and students.
Purpose of Role
Prepare, cook, and serve the weekly Chaplaincy Wednesday Meal for 80–150 students, ensuring high‑quality, culturally sensitive, and budget‑appropriate meals. The meal is served at 18:00 each Wednesday during semester time.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan menus and cook weekly Wednesday meals for students.
- Meal should consist of 2 dishes with one being a vegetarian option.
- Meals should also take account of cultural, religious & dietary requirements (eg offering halal option if possible).
- Maintain up to date knowledge of common allergens and ensure that allergens are recorded and communicated.
- Plan meals in line with Chaplaincy food budget and manage the spending responsibly.
- Order ingredients from the main kitchen one week in advance for Wednesday delivery.
- Maintain kitchen cupboard stock items and inform Chaplaincy EA of any purchases required.
- Ensure preparation of meals to consistent portion sizes and quality standards.
- Communicate effectively and maintain positive working relationships with the Chaplaincy Team, resident students, main kitchen staff and student volunteers.
- Supervise students and volunteers assisting with meal preparation, ensuring they follow Food Hygiene regulations and maintain a clean working environment.
- Encourage and support student volunteers, fostering a welcoming and inclusive kitchen environment.
- Maintain a clean, safe kitchen environment in line with Food Hygiene and HACCP requirements.
- Ensure full compliance with the University’s HACCP procedures.
- Undertake a full kitchen clean and stock take in the summer break.
- Provide catering for two non‑Wednesday events per semester.
Essential Criteria
- Level 3 Food and Hygiene Certificate
- Level 3 HACCP qualification
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Good communication and listening skills
- Ability to encourage and support student volunteers
- Understanding of cultural and religious food practices
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on the 15th March 2026. Please submit your CV via the Heriot‑Watton line recruitment.
Equality and diversity
Heriot‑Wattt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot‑Wattt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from under‑represented groups.
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part‑time working and job share options.
Chaplaincy Cook employer: Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
Contact Detail:
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chaplaincy Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Chaplaincy team and their values. When you’re preparing for your interview, think about how your cooking style and approach to hospitality can enhance the student experience. Show us that you understand the importance of cultural sensitivity in meal preparation!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! You’ll be working with students and volunteers, so being able to clearly explain tasks and foster a welcoming environment is key. Maybe even role-play some scenarios with a friend to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your organisational skills. We want to see how you plan menus and manage budgets effectively. Bring examples of how you’ve successfully handled similar responsibilities in the past to the table!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the vibrant community at the Chaplaincy.
We think you need these skills to ace Chaplaincy Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When writing your application, let us know why you love cooking and how it connects to creating a welcoming environment. Share any experiences you've had in preparing meals for diverse groups, as this will resonate with our Chaplaincy's mission.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills: Make sure to mention your ability to plan menus and manage budgets effectively. We want to see how you can keep everything running smoothly while catering to the dietary needs of our students, so don’t hold back on those details!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication: Since you'll be working closely with students and volunteers, it's crucial to showcase your communication skills. Tell us about times you've successfully collaborated with others in a kitchen setting or any experience you have in supervising and supporting team members.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way to ensure your CV gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you're keen on being part of our community from the get-go!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to think about potential menus you could create for the weekly Wednesday meal. Consider cultural and dietary needs, and be ready to discuss how you would plan meals that cater to a diverse student body.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Chaplaincy Cook, you'll need to work closely with students and volunteers. Be prepared to share examples of how you've effectively communicated in past roles, especially in a kitchen or team environment. Highlight your ability to foster a welcoming atmosphere.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
The role requires strong organisational abilities, so come equipped with examples of how you've managed meal prep, budgeting, or inventory in previous positions. Discuss how you would ensure everything runs smoothly each week.
✨Emphasise Your Cultural Awareness
Understanding cultural and religious food practices is key for this role. Be ready to talk about your experiences with diverse cuisines and how you would ensure that meals are respectful and inclusive for all students.