At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals for residents, ensuring dietary needs are met.
- Company: Excelcare, a family-owned care home group with over 34 years of experience.
- Benefits: £14.90 per hour, 28 days holiday, free parking, and funded qualifications.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and team appreciation events.
- Why this job: Join a compassionate team and make a real difference in residents' lives through food.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering, NVQ Level 2 in hospitality, and excellent interpersonal skills.
The predicted salary is between 14.9 - 14.9 £ per hour.
Location: On site / Neath Hill, Milton Keynes MK14 6NS, UK
Job type: Permanent / Part-time
Sector and subsector: Hospitality Chefs
Hourly Fixed salary: £14.90
We are looking for an experienced and creative Cook/Chef to join our Neath Care Home in Milton Keynes. You will become part of a compassionate and welcoming team providing physical, emotional, and social support and most importantly outstanding meal experiences for the people living in our care home. Your dedication, reliability and support will make a difference every day.
Excelcare is a family-owned care home group established for over 34 years. We provide the highest standards of care to older people with a range of needs including dementia, physical disabilities, and mental health issues. By joining us you will become one of the 'family' and in return for your dedication and hard work you can expect:
- £14.90 per hour
- 30 Hours a week Cook/Chef role Available. 7am to 5pm.
About the role:
- As the Care Home Cook, you will be required to prepare and cook nutritious meals using fresh ingredients.
- Schedule weekly meal menus, paying attention to individual dietary requirements.
- Work with the Home Manager to ensure that ordering of stock is in line with budgetary requirements.
- Work with healthcare professionals involved in the support of people living in our care homes to ensure meal plans and dietary requirements fall into individuals support plans and risk assessments.
- Maintain quality assurance systems within the kitchen.
- Undertake supervision of other kitchen team members.
- Have a full understanding of Health & Safety as well as Food Hygiene issues, COSHH, and working within the guidelines relating to contamination and cross infection.
- You will be involved in meaningful activities with the people living in our care home as well as always promoting independence, choice, dignity, and respect.
What we are looking for from you:
- Experience of cooking for large numbers.
- NVQ Level 2 in catering and hospitality.
- 2 years' experience in a catering environment.
- 12 months experience in managing a kitchen.
- Excellent interpersonal skills as you will be involved in meaningful activities.
What we offer in return for your hard work:
- 28 Days holiday including bank holidays.
- Free on-site parking.
- Enhancement to pay on bank holidays.
- Refer a Friend Scheme rewarding £500 for every person you refer.
- DBS certificate paid by Excelcare.
- Funded qualifications via the apprenticeship programme (where required).
- Paid uniform.
- Employee of the month - £100 for outstanding contribution.
- Team appreciation week.
If you are interested in the position, please apply online today - we look forward to hearing from you.
Cook employer: Hollybank Trustees Ltd
Hollybank Trustees Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Rough Hills, England, where collaboration and client-focused strategies thrive. With a flexible hybrid working model, a comprehensive benefits package including an enhanced pension scheme, and ample opportunities for professional development, employees are empowered to grow their careers while making a meaningful impact in the investment advisory sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Hollybank Trustees Ltd and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Hollybank Trustees Ltd that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Hollybank Trustees Ltd.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Hollybank Trustees Ltd get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hollybank Trustees Ltd
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Hollybank Trustees Ltd and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
