Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious meals that brighten residents' days and meet their dietary needs.
- Company: Join Highgate Care, where kindness is at the heart of everything we do.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive workplace, ongoing training, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Previous care experience is a bonus, but personality and values matter most.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in residents' lives while working in a close-knit team.
- Qualifications: Warm, creative individuals with a passion for improving older people's lives.
The predicted salary is between 29100 - 29100 £ per year.
Location: The Lawns, Risdale Street Darlington
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time 30hrs per week
Salary: £14.05ph
Sponsorship: Not currently available
Join Highgate Care - Where Kindness Is Key
At Highgate Care, kindness isn’t just something we talk about, it’s the foundation of everything we do. As a small and compassionate care group, we pride ourselves on offering truly person-centred care, where every resident is valued, supported, and able to thrive. We believe in celebrating individuality, promoting dignity and above all, living by our core value: Kindness Is Key.
We’re currently looking for a Chef/Cook to join the team at The Lawns in Darlington. If you’re someone who naturally brings warmth, energy and creativity wherever you go, and you love the idea of making each day meaningful for our residents, this could be the perfect role for you.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Planning, preparing and cooking a variety of meals which are appealing, nutritious and centre around residents’ preferences, requests or any special dietary requirements, following Highgate Care Homes’ Good Food Guide and, where appropriate, making amendments after authorisation from Head Office.
- Being active and encouraging, providing advice and guidance for the team ensuring that Highgate is a friendly, supportive working environment.
- Being responsible for the supervision and appraisals of the Kitchen Team.
- Interviewing applicants for vacancies within the Kitchen Team.
- Understanding and complying with statutory and legal requirements such as HACCP, Health and Safety, COSHH, Environmental Health, ensuring a safe environment within the home.
- Implementing, monitoring and maintaining cleaning schedules that meet the requirements of the Food Safety Manual, and ensuring that all areas of the kitchen are immaculately clean.
- Ensuring sufficient food stocks are ordered and received from approved suppliers and that stock rotation is taking place to maintain optimum freshness of all foodstuff ensuring the highest quality expected within Highgate Care Home.
- Being responsible for all kitchen equipment ensuring it is in full, safe working order, reporting any damage or faults to the Handyman and Home Manager and following up any appropriate action.
- Being an active member of the Highgate team, contributing to team meetings, and assisting the Home Manager with the selection, interviewing, induction and ongoing development of catering staff.
- Being understanding towards residents and their needs and attending resident/relative meetings.
- Regularly monitoring and assessing residents’ satisfaction with the catering service provided in their home, and responding accordingly and positively to ideas and feedback.
What We’re Looking For
- Warm, approachable, and brimming with positivity.
- Organised, reliable, and confident in planning.
- Creative, enthusiastic, and able to motivate others.
- Passionate about improving the lives of older people.
- Willing to participate in Staff and Resident meetings as and when required.
- Previous experience in a care setting is a bonus, but we’re just as interested in your personality and values.
What We Offer
- A friendly, supportive, and welcoming workplace.
- Real opportunities for ongoing training and career progression.
- A chance to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives every day.
- A valued role within a close-knit team that cares as much about each other as we do our residents.
If you believe that kindness and compassion should be at the heart of care, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of our team at The Lawns that makes each day brighter for our residents.
Care Home Cook (30hrs per week) employer: Highgate Care
Contact Detail:
Highgate Care Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Home Cook (30hrs per week)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out Highgate Care's website and social media. Understanding their values around kindness and person-centred care will help you connect with them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your warmth and creativity can enhance the lives of residents, just like they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in previous roles. Whether it’s a special meal you created or a time you went above and beyond for someone, let your enthusiasm shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity can set you apart. It shows you're genuinely interested in joining their team at The Lawns.
We think you need these skills to ace Care Home Cook (30hrs per week)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Kindness: When writing your application, let your love for caring shine through! Share experiences that highlight your warmth and positivity, as these are key values for us at Highgate Care.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of Chef/Cook. Mention your experience with meal planning and preparation, and how you can cater to residents' preferences and dietary needs.
Highlight Team Spirit: We’re all about teamwork here! In your application, talk about how you’ve worked well in a team before, especially in a kitchen or care setting. Show us how you can contribute to our friendly and supportive environment.
Keep It Neat and Professional: Make sure your application is well-organised and free from errors. A clean, professional presentation reflects your attention to detail, which is super important in a kitchen setting. Don’t forget to apply through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Highgate Care
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your culinary skills and knowledge about nutrition. Be ready to discuss how you can create appealing and nutritious meals that cater to residents' preferences and dietary needs. This shows your passion for cooking and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Kindness
Since Highgate Care values kindness, think of examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated compassion and support. Share stories that highlight your warm personality and how you’ve positively impacted others, especially in a care setting.
✨Team Spirit Matters
Prepare to talk about your experience working in teams. Highgate Care looks for someone who can motivate and support their colleagues. Think of specific instances where you’ve contributed to a positive team environment or helped train new staff.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about food safety regulations and kitchen management. Familiarise yourself with HACCP, Health and Safety, and COSHH guidelines. Being knowledgeable about these topics will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe and clean kitchen environment.