At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Catering Assistant, mastering food prep and cooking in a vibrant hospital setting.
- Company: Be part of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, dedicated to outstanding patient care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, NHS pension, and exclusive discounts for staff.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while working flexibly around your studies and personal life.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial catering is a plus; passion for food and service is essential.
- Other info: We value diversity and support flexible working arrangements to fit your lifestyle.
We are recruiting for a part time Catering Assistant at Hawkhurst Hospital.
Experience within the Commercial Catering industry is welcomed.
Working Pattern is over a 2-week rota period, working varying hours between 7am and 6pm and will include working alternate weekends and rostered Bank Holidays.
Working for KCHFT has many benefits for all of our staff!
Your hourly rate in this role will be £12.36 Weekends and Bank Holidays attract Enhanced rates of pay.
Some of our benefits include:
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays. Your annual leave entitlement increases with length of service.
• Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension scheme (opt out available)
• Access to NHS discounts and access to Blue Light card discounts
This is primarily a hands-on catering position where you will learn all the back-ground skills and knowledge to enable you to complete the role, e.g. food preparation and cooking, allergens and other dietary requirements, completion of HACCP paperwork, equipment training and waste management.
Please note, this vacancy does not meet the criteria for skilled worker sponsorship. Therefore, we are unable to accept applications from candidates that cannot provide documentary evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom.
Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’ve got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent
We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences
We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn’t visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission
The data we collect helps us to ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won’t involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We’ll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suits us both
See where you can go with KCHFT career pathways
As a community Trust many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. As such you will be asked to confirm you have a full UK driving licence where driving is a requirement of the role to be able to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment, if you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team via kentchft.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number so we can support you further.
The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.
Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.
We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.
At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.
Find out more about the community differencehere.
Good luck! We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.
This advert closes on Wednesday 30 Jul 2025 #J-18808-Ljbffr
Catering Assitant | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust employer: Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assitant | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary requirements and allergens relevant to the role. Understanding these aspects will not only help you in your day-to-day tasks but also demonstrate your commitment to patient care during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Reach out to current or former employees of KCHFT to gain insights into the work culture and expectations. This can provide you with valuable information that you can use to tailor your approach and show your genuine interest in the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your flexibility regarding working hours, especially since the role involves weekends and bank holidays. Highlighting your willingness to adapt can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase any previous experience in commercial catering, even if it's informal. Whether it's helping out at events or cooking for family gatherings, sharing these experiences can illustrate your passion and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Assitant | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Catering Assistant position. Highlight your relevant experience in commercial catering and any specific skills that align with the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your experience in food preparation, cooking, and knowledge of dietary requirements. Make sure to include any relevant certifications or training related to HACCP and allergens.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your passion for patient care and your commitment to the values of KCHFT. Mention your flexibility regarding working hours and your willingness to work weekends and bank holidays.
Highlight Your Commitment to Diversity: In your application, express your understanding of the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Share any experiences that demonstrate your commitment to these values, as they are important to KCHFT.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Catering Assistant. Be prepared to discuss how your previous experience in commercial catering aligns with the skills required for this position.
✨Show Your Passion for Patient Care
Since KCHFT is focused on delivering high standards of patient care, express your commitment to this value during the interview. Share examples of how you've contributed to excellent service in past roles.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions related to food preparation, dietary requirements, and HACCP paperwork. Brush up on these topics so you can confidently demonstrate your knowledge and readiness for the hands-on aspects of the role.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Teamwork
Given the varying hours and the need to work weekends and bank holidays, emphasise your flexibility and willingness to adapt. Also, mention your ability to work well within a team, as collaboration is key in a catering environment.