Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to prepare nutritious meals and support offenders in gaining new skills.
- Company: Join a unique catering team within HMP Stoke Heath, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, and apprenticeship opportunities while you earn.
- Other info: Flexible hours with part-time options and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Transform lives through cooking and help others build a better future.
- Qualifications: Level 2 certificate in food production and food hygiene required.
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.
Responsibilities
- You’ll oversee the work of offenders to prepare and cook quality, nutritional meals for the entire prison.
- You will also 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.
Additional Requirements
- 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.
Behaviours
- Developing self and others.
- Managing a quality service.
- Communicating and influencing.
- Making effective decisions.
- Working together.
16600 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Stoke Heath employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 16600 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Stoke Heath
✨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
Show off your skills! When you get the chance, demonstrate your culinary expertise and how you can contribute to the team. Bring examples of your previous work or even suggest a meal plan that aligns with the nutritional needs of the inmates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current employees if you can! They can provide insider tips on what the hiring managers are looking for and might even put in a good word for you. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace 16600 - Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Stoke Heath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your catering qualifications and any relevant experience in your application. We want to see how your skills can make a difference in our kitchen and help the offenders learn new ones!
Be Genuine: This role is about more than just cooking; it’s about making an impact. Share your passion for helping others and how you can contribute to turning lives around through your work in the kitchen.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of this role. We love seeing candidates who take the extra step to connect their experience with what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your catering qualifications and any relevant food hygiene regulations. Being able to confidently discuss your experience in an industrial kitchen will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Show Your Passion for Impact
This job is about more than just cooking; it’s about making a difference in people's lives. Be prepared to talk about how you can support offenders in learning new skills and turning their lives around. Share any past experiences where you've made a positive impact.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since the role involves working unsocial hours, be ready to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to different shift patterns. Highlighting your flexibility will demonstrate that you’re committed to the job and the team.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Practice speaking clearly and confidently about your ideas and experiences. You might even want to prepare some examples of how you've successfully managed a team or communicated with others in a busy kitchen environment.