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- Tasks: Create delicious, healthy meals and manage a busy kitchen team.
- Company: Join Leonard Cheshire, a community-focused organisation making a positive impact on lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible pay options, free health plans, and great development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team celebrating events while making a difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in a kitchen and relevant food hygiene qualifications are essential.
- Other info: Night and weekend enhancements available; we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
£12.90 per hour | Occasional Hours – Bank staff | Chipstead Lake, Sevenoaks
“It’s about creating meals that make people feel cared for – every plate is an opportunity to make someone’s day.”
That’s how one of our Cooks describes their role. If you’re passionate about food, take pride in your kitchen, and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.
A home, not just a service
Our Chipstead Lake service supports adults with learning disabilities and additional needs to live their lives their way. The kitchen is the heart of our home – where we create fresh, delicious, and nutritious meals that bring people together. You’ll plan menus, prepare food, and work closely with our care teams to make sure everyone’s individual dietary needs are met.
This is abank hours role, covering sickness and planned holidays.
Typical shifts may include:
Morning shifts: [e.g. 7am–6pm]
We’ll work with you to agree a pattern that suits the needs of the service and you.
Why you’ll love working here
As well as providing support for your wellbeing and development, we offer a fantastic range of benefits:
- 28 days holiday per annum inclusive of bank holidays (+1 every year up to 33 days)
- Stream: Access up to 40% of your pay before payday
- Free Blue Light Card: Exclusive discounts and benefits
- Contributory Pension Scheme & competitive life cover
- Health cash plan: Affordable healthcare at your fingertips
- Career development: Opportunities for recognised catering qualifications
- Free DBS check
- Employee Assistance Programme – support when you need it most
What you’ll do
- Prepare, cook, and serve high-quality meals and beverages on time
- Plan varied, seasonal menus that meet nutritional and dietary needs
- Liaise with care teams and customers to create personalised menus
- Maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in line with HACCP and COSHH regulations
- Manage food stocks, orders, and budgets effectively
- Supervise and support catering staff, including training and rota planning
- Provide catering for events, parties, and special occasions
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements
What helps you shine here
- Recognised catering qualification (or willingness to work towards this)
- Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (or Level 4) and HACCP accreditation
- Experience working in a kitchen environment
- Ability to plan menus, manage budgets, and maintain records
- Knowledge of health and safety, food hygiene, and infection control principles
- Good communication and organisational skills
- A genuine commitment to the values and ethos of Leonard Cheshire
About Leonard Cheshire
We are one of the UK’s most respected providers of care and supported living services, with 87% of our services rated ‘good’ or ‘very good’ by regulators. Established over 75 years ago, we exist to support disabled people to live, learn, and work as independently as possible.
Ready to apply?
Leonard Cheshire welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We actively encourage applications from people with a disability, supporting where possible, your requirements for reasonable adjustments.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. A satisfactory disclosure check (PVG membership in Scotland) is required for this post. References will be obtained for all roles.
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Cook employer: Leonard Cheshire
Contact Detail:
Leonard Cheshire Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary requirements and preferences of the residents. Understanding their needs will not only help you create a tailored menu but also show your commitment to providing exceptional service.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any experience you have in managing kitchen staff or supervising food preparation. This role requires leadership skills, so demonstrating your ability to run an efficient kitchen will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your creativity by preparing a sample menu that includes healthy and varied options. This will give the hiring team a taste of your culinary skills and your ability to cater for special events.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the local community and any events they celebrate. Being knowledgeable about the area can help you connect with the team and demonstrate your enthusiasm for contributing to community activities through your cooking.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in a kitchen environment. Include any catering qualifications, such as your Level 3 or Level 4 Food Hygiene Certificate, and emphasise your ability to create varied and nutritious menus.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and your commitment to providing high-quality meals. Mention specific experiences where you successfully managed a kitchen or catered for special events, as this aligns with the role's requirements.
Highlight Your Skills: In your application, be sure to mention your skills in food hygiene, budget management, and staff supervision. These are crucial for the Cook position and will demonstrate your capability to maintain exceptional hygiene standards and run an efficient kitchen.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Express your enthusiasm for working in a residential care home and making a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities. This personal touch can set your application apart and show that you align with the company's values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonard Cheshire
✨Show Your Passion for Cooking
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for creating appetising and varied meals. Share examples of dishes you've prepared that cater to specific dietary requirements, as this will demonstrate your commitment to providing quality food.
✨Highlight Your Experience
Discuss your previous kitchen experience in detail. Mention any roles where you supervised staff or managed a kitchen, as this aligns with the responsibilities of the position and shows you can handle the demands of the job.
✨Emphasise Hygiene and Safety Knowledge
Be prepared to talk about your understanding of health and safety regulations in the kitchen. Highlight your qualifications, such as your Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate, and any additional training you've received related to hygiene practices.
✨Demonstrate Creativity
Since the role involves catering for functions and special events, share any creative ideas you have for menus or themes. This will show that you're not only capable of following guidelines but also willing to innovate and enhance the dining experience.
