At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and serve delicious meals while ensuring food hygiene standards.
- Company: Friendly residential care home in Hassocks, dedicated to providing excellent care.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, flexible hours, paid training, and team events.
- Other info: Enjoy a welcoming environment with ongoing support and rewards for long service.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real difference in residents' lives.
- Qualifications: Cooking skills and experience; food hygiene certificate is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 28500 - 28500 £ per year.
Location: On site / Hassocks, UK
Job type: Temporary / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Hospitality | Chefs
Hourly Fixed salary: £13.70
Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you enjoy working with friendly and bubbly people? Do you have catering experience? If yes, apply now!
We currently have an opportunity for a skilled individual who will support our Catering Team in our residential care home for older people in Hassocks. This role is ideal for a person who is able to work in a small but mighty team and enjoys laughing at work. This role is great for someone who has experience as a cook and is looking for occasional hours or likewise an experienced kitchen assistant who is looking for the next step.
Villa Adastra is a 40-bed residential care home in Hassocks, West Sussex. We offer residential care for older people and those with dementia. We provide permanent, respite and end-of-life care.
- Prepare, cook and serve nutritionally balanced and attractive meals with due regard to preferences and special dietary needs.
- Observe food hygiene regulations.
- Maintain the kitchen and food storage rooms, crockery, cutlery and utensils in a high state of cleanliness and tidiness.
- Maintain all records when on duty.
- Attend meetings and training activities as required.
- Work as part of a team and be willing to take on any task, within your capabilities, to provide an excellent service to our residents.
We offer a full induction to the work and also provide other training as required by the post.
You need to be someone who enjoys working with older people and can have empathy with them; you must enjoy cooking and be able to cook and prepare food to a good standard. A basic food hygiene certificate and a food-related qualification would be an advantage but is not essential, as long as you have cooking skills and experience.
Hours: MAT cover
Hourly Rate: £13.70
Training time paid
Being part of our friendly and committed staff team
Ongoing support from management
Guaranteed hours
Flexible working: various working hours
Work clothing provided
Team events
Care Friends referral
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Long-standing service rewards
Birthday rewards
What our staff say about us: “It is a friendly and welcoming place to work”
— Pilgrims’ Friend Society is a registered charity. Our Christian ethos is central to everything we plan and do. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Please note: this vacancy may close sooner if sufficient applications have been received so please apply as soon as possible if interested.
Chef employer: Hollybank Trustees Ltd
At Villa Adastra, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a warm and supportive work environment where our staff can thrive. Located in the picturesque town of Hassocks, our residential care home fosters a friendly culture, providing ongoing training and flexible working hours to ensure a fulfilling experience for our team. With a focus on employee well-being, we celebrate long-standing service and offer various rewards, making it a truly rewarding place to work for those passionate about caring for older people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the place! Before your interview, check out Villa Adastra online. Familiarise yourself with their values and what they offer. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! If you can, whip up a few dishes that showcase your cooking skills. Bring some photos or even a sample to your interview. It’s a tasty way to impress and show off your culinary flair!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about teamwork! Since this role is all about working in a small but mighty team, think of examples from your past where you’ve collaborated successfully. Share those stories to highlight your team spirit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to reach out directly!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let us know how much you love cooking! Share any experiences you've had in the kitchen, whether it's professional or just whipping up meals for friends and family. We want to see that spark!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:Since we’re all about working together at Villa Adastra, make sure to mention any teamwork experiences you’ve had. Whether it’s in a kitchen or another setting, we love to hear how you collaborate with others to create something great.
Emphasise Your Care for Residents:We’re looking for someone who genuinely enjoys working with older people. In your application, share any relevant experiences that show your empathy and understanding of their needs. It’ll help us see how you fit into our caring environment.
Keep It Clean and Professional:Make sure your application is tidy and free from errors. A clean presentation reflects your attention to detail, which is super important in a kitchen setting. And don’t forget to apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hollybank Trustees Ltd
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your culinary skills and knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with different cuisines, dietary needs, and food hygiene regulations. This will show that you’re not just a cook, but someone who understands the importance of nutrition and safety in food preparation.
✨Show Your Personality
Since the role involves working in a friendly team and with older residents, let your bubbly personality shine through. Share anecdotes that highlight your teamwork and how you’ve made cooking enjoyable for others. A good sense of humour can go a long way in making a connection!
✨Ask About the Team
Prepare some questions about the catering team and the work environment. Inquire about their favourite dishes to prepare or how they handle special dietary requests. This shows your interest in being part of the team and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Empathy
Since you'll be working with older people, it’s crucial to express your empathy during the interview. Share experiences where you’ve connected with elderly individuals or how you’ve adapted meals to meet their needs. This will demonstrate that you understand the importance of compassion in this role.
