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- Tasks: Lead a team to prepare nutritious meals and support offenders in learning new skills.
- Company: Join a unique catering team within a professional prison environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, and apprenticeship opportunities while earning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping others turn their lives around through cooking.
- Qualifications: Must have Level 2 food production certificate and food hygiene certification.
- Other info: Flexible hours with part-time options and excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 33746 - 35533 £ per year.
This is not your average catering job. It is a great chance to put your catering qualifications and skills into practice and make an impact far beyond the kitchen. As part of the prison’s catering team, you’ll be working in a professional industrial kitchen environment, with a good salary, pension and Civil Service benefits including apprenticeship opportunities ‘earn while you learn’. Unlike traditional restaurant jobs, you won’t have to work late into the evening. You’ll oversee the work of offenders to prepare and cook quality, nutritional meals for the entire prison. Plus, you’ll play your part in helping them turn their lives around - supporting them to learn new skills and work towards gaining qualifications to increase their chances of employment and reduce their likelihood of reoffending when they leave prison.
Hours and salary
You will work a 37-hour week and shift patterns are in place which include hours outside of 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays. You will receive a 20% unsocial hours payment in addition to your basic pay, subject to working these hours. All roles can be open to part-time and job share arrangements subject to the business need/operational requirement. However, you will still be required to undertake the full range of shifts. As a new recruit, you will start on the minimum salary. Band 3 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £33,746 Band 3 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £35,533
Qualifications and experience
- Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent
- Food hygiene certificate at Level 2
- Familiar with all current health, safety and hygiene related regulations for working in a kitchen
- Able to demonstrate competency within an industrial kitchen environment
- Able to speak with confidence in English
Please note refresher training in food safety (HACCP) should be completed at three year intervals.
Tips for applying
You will need to provide an anonymised CV and answer questions which outline your past experience. You will also need to answer specific ‘behavioural’ questions. We will ask you how you would react in your job.
14539 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Cookham Wood employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 14539 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Cookham Wood
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the prison catering environment! Research what it’s like to work in a kitchen that serves a unique community. Understanding the challenges and rewards can help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses to those tricky behavioural questions. Think about past experiences where you’ve had to demonstrate teamwork or problem-solving skills, especially in a kitchen setting. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for making a difference! This role isn’t just about cooking; it’s about helping others turn their lives around. Be ready to share why this aspect of the job resonates with you.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for dedicated individuals who are ready to make an impact in the kitchen and beyond.
We think you need these skills to ace 14539 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Cookham Wood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft Your CV Wisely: Make sure your CV highlights your catering qualifications and any relevant experience. We want to see how your skills can shine in a professional kitchen, so tailor it to show off your best bits!
Nail the Behavioural Questions: When answering those behavioural questions, think about real-life examples from your past. We’re looking for how you’ve handled situations in the kitchen or with teamwork, so be specific and show us your thought process.
Show Your Passion for Impact: This role is about more than just cooking; it’s about making a difference. Let us know why you’re passionate about helping others and how you see your role in supporting offenders to learn new skills.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your catering qualifications and food hygiene knowledge. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the specific requirements of working in an industrial kitchen, especially in a unique environment like a prison.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since you'll be overseeing offenders, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and support others. Prepare examples of how you've helped others learn new skills or overcome challenges in previous roles.
✨Understand the Role's Impact
This job is about more than just cooking; it’s about making a difference. Be prepared to talk about why you want to work in this setting and how you can contribute to the rehabilitation of offenders through quality meal preparation.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would react in certain situations. Think of scenarios from your past where you had to handle difficult situations in the kitchen or manage a team, and be ready to share those stories.
