At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare delicious meals and create a positive dining experience for residents.
- Company: Badgers Wood, a warm and welcoming residential care home.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, guaranteed hours, training opportunities, and 28 days leave.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available, with a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through the joy of food.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking or catering, with a caring attitude towards older people.
The predicted salary is between 28400 - 28400 £ per year.
Are you looking for an exciting, rewarding, and positive role? Do you have a passion for preparing good quality food and making a difference to people’s daily lives? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!
£13.65 per hour. Shifts will be worked around breakfast, lunch, and evening mealtimes across 7 days a week (full-time and part-time roles available).
About the service:
Badgers Wood is a welcoming residential care home in Drayton, just a few miles from Norwich, supporting up to 37 older people with both permanent and respite care. The home offers a comfortable, homely environment with a variety of spaces including a library, retro lounge, seaside-themed room, café, and a hair and nail salon—creating a relaxed and sociable setting for residents. We are proud of our warm, family feel, where residents are at the heart of everything we do. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care with dignity and respect. Food plays a huge role in daily life at Badgers Wood, and we take pride in providing nutritious, well-balanced meals that residents enjoy and look forward to.
About the role:
As a Cook, you will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring that all meals are prepared to a high standard and in line with residents’ needs and preferences. You will play a key role in creating a positive dining experience, helping to promote health, wellbeing, and enjoyment through food.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Planning and preparing nutritious, balanced meals
- Catering for individual dietary needs and preferences
- Ensuring high standards of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness
- Managing stock, ordering supplies, and minimising waste
- Supervising and supporting kitchen assistants
- Maintaining accurate records, including food safety documentation
- Creating a welcoming and enjoyable mealtime experience for residents
What we can offer:
- A friendly and supportive working environment
- Training and development opportunities
- Rotas in advance to help ensure a healthy work-life balance
- Guaranteed contracted hours
- Real living wage accredited meaning you will receive annual pay increases linked to the cost of living
- 28 days leave (including bank holidays and pro-rata for part-time hours)
- Funded DBS checks
What we are looking for:
We are looking for someone who is passionate about food and has a positive, caring approach. You will need to have:
- Experience in a cooking or catering role (care setting experience is desirable but not essential)
- Knowledge of food hygiene standards (Level 2 Food Hygiene preferred)
- A caring and respectful attitude towards older people
- Good organisational and time management skills
- The ability to work both independently and as part of a team
We are happy to consider reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process—please let us know how we can support you.
Please note: We are unable to offer visa sponsorship. If you are interested in joining our team, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch for an informal chat or to apply.
Cook employer: Mary Rush Care Ltd
At Badgers Wood, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a warm and supportive environment where our team can thrive. With a focus on employee growth through training opportunities and a commitment to work-life balance, we ensure that our staff feel valued and appreciated. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents while enjoying competitive pay and guaranteed hours in a homely setting just outside Norwich.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the place! Before your interview, take a stroll around Badgers Wood if you can. Familiarising yourself with the environment shows genuine interest and helps you connect better during the chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food! When you talk about your cooking experience, highlight specific dishes you've prepared and how they made a difference in people's lives. This will resonate well with the team at Badgers Wood.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss dietary needs! Brush up on common dietary restrictions and preferences, as this is key in a care setting. Showing that you understand and can cater to these needs will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the role or the team. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you. And remember, apply through our website for a smoother process!
We think you need these skills to ace Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your passion for preparing delicious meals and how you enjoy making a difference in people's lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to match the job description. Highlight your relevant experience in cooking or catering, especially if you've worked in a care setting before. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Keep It Clean and Professional:Just like in the kitchen, cleanliness matters! Ensure your application is well-organised and free from typos. A neat presentation reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in a cooking role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mary Rush Care Ltd
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of meals you might be preparing at Badgers Wood. Research common dietary needs for older people and think about how you can cater to those preferences. This shows your passion for food and your commitment to enhancing residents' dining experiences.
✨Showcase Your Hygiene Knowledge
Brush up on food hygiene standards, especially if you have a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate. Be prepared to discuss how you maintain cleanliness in the kitchen and ensure food safety. This will demonstrate your professionalism and attention to detail.
✨Bring Your Caring Attitude
During the interview, convey your caring and respectful attitude towards older people. Share examples from your past experiences where you made a positive impact through your cooking. This will resonate well with the values of Badgers Wood.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask during the interview about the kitchen environment and team dynamics. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you. Think about what you want to know regarding meal planning or how the team collaborates.
