At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and deliver delicious, nutritious meals for our residents.
- Company: Join BallyCara, a values-driven organisation focused on community and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy wellness days, fitness allowances, study leave, and salary packaging options.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive, inclusive community that values your strengths.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of older Australians every day.
- Qualifications: Relevant cookery qualification or experience in a commercial kitchen.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
BallyCara is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Cook to join our Catering Team on a casual basis. This opportunity is perfect for an experienced Cook looking for meaningful work with a values-driven organisation that genuinely cares about its people and the communities it serves. Located in our beautiful bayside community at Scarborough, you'll play a vital role in delivering nutritious, delicious meals that contribute to the health, wellbeing, and enjoyment of our residents. This is more than a cooking role—it's an opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of older Australians every day.
When you join BallyCara, you’re joining more than a workplace—you’re becoming part of a values-led community built on relationships, respect, and purpose. We support you to do meaningful work while growing in a way that suits you. BallyCara is an established charitable organisation that offers a wellness-focused lifestyle for our clients to facilitate independent living, health, and happiness. At BallyCara, you will belong to a welcoming and inclusive community where your individual strengths and interests are embraced and are the key driver to everything that we create together. We will empower you with flexibility, autonomy and coaching to allow you to make a meaningful difference, whilst supporting you in your career and personal journey.
We inspire healthy and happy living through our SONA® (Happiness) values and enhance our employee's wellness through the following employee benefits:
- Emotional Wellness: Enjoy a wellness day off each year to take on your birthday, for your family, or just for you.
- Physical Wellness: Improve your health and wellbeing with a fitness allowance for remedial massage, outdoor wellness gear, yoga, pilates, swimming, or gym plus access to an online fitness portal LIFT Fitness!
- Professional Wellness: Enhance your career with two days of paid study leave combined with yearly study assistance!
- Financial Wellness: Access not-for-profit salary packaging up to $18,550, receive 17.5% annual leave loading, and up to $1,892 per annum in financial discounts from our TELUS Health EAP and wellbeing portal!
As a Cook, you'll be responsible for preparing and delivering high-quality meals that meet nutritional requirements, dietary needs, and personal preferences. Working closely with the Catering Manager and wider catering team, you will:
- Prepare, cook, and present nutritious and appetising meals
- Cater for special dietary, cultural, religious, and texture-modified requirements
- Ensure food safety, hygiene, and infection control standards are maintained
- Assist with menu implementation and meal consistency
- Receive and quality-check food deliveries
- Support, mentor, and guide catering team members
- Maintain a clean, safe, and compliant kitchen environment
- Deliver exceptional customer service to residents and stakeholders
You are an experienced cook who understands that great food is about more than taste—it's about dignity, choice, wellbeing, and creating positive experiences. You'll bring:
- Relevant Cookery Qualification (Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or similar) or experience in a commercial kitchen, healthcare, hospitality, or aged care setting
- Strong food safety and hygiene knowledge
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- The ability to work efficiently in a busy environment
- A positive attitude and commitment to quality outcomes
- Experience supervising or mentoring kitchen staff
Highly Desirable:
- Previous experience working in aged care, retirement living, healthcare, or community services
- Understanding of the Aged Care Quality Standards and person-centred care principles
- Experience preparing texture-modified meals and specialised diets
- Knowledge of residents' nutritional requirements and dining preferences
Role Requirements:
- Satisfactory police check (or willingness to obtain through BallyCara)
- Right to work in Australia
- COVID and Influenza vaccinations highly recommended
At BallyCara, we believe Everyone Matters. We are guided by our SONA® values:
- Integrity – Authentic and Transparent
- Creativity – Collaborate and Innovate Courageously
- Everyone Matters – Each person and their wellbeing are important to us
Apply today and begin your journey with BallyCara to inspire healthy and happy living. Please note: Applications must be submitted via our recruitment portal. Applications received through external agencies or alternative channels will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We sincerely thank you for your interest in working with BallyCara and for taking the time to apply.
Cook - Deliver Delicious & Nutritious Meals in Scarborough employer: MyBallyCara
BallyCara is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing of its employees and the communities it serves. Located in the picturesque bayside community of Scarborough, we offer a supportive and inclusive work culture where your contributions truly matter. With a focus on personal and professional growth, our employees enjoy unique benefits such as wellness days, fitness allowances, and study assistance, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of older Australians through nutritious meal preparation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook - Deliver Delicious & Nutritious Meals in Scarborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your friends, family, and former colleagues to let them know you're on the hunt for a Cook position. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 2
Get social! Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with people in the catering and aged care sectors. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to showcase your passion for cooking and community service.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to cooking and teamwork. Think about how you can demonstrate your experience with special dietary needs and your commitment to quality outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people at BallyCara. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our values-driven community!
We think you need these skills to ace Cook - Deliver Delicious & Nutritious Meals in Scarborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share why you’re excited about preparing nutritious meals and how you believe food can make a difference in people's lives.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to mention any relevant qualifications or experience you have, especially in aged care or similar settings. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission of delivering quality meals to our residents.
Be Person-Centred:Remember, this role is all about the residents! Talk about how you’ve catered to individual dietary needs in the past and how you plan to create positive dining experiences for our community.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via our recruitment portal! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you on board to join our amazing team at BallyCara.
How to prepare for a job interview at MyBallyCara
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements. Be ready to discuss how you can cater to special diets and preferences, as this shows your understanding of the role's impact on residents' wellbeing.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your cooking skills and teamwork. Talk about times when you’ve successfully managed a busy kitchen or mentored junior staff, as this aligns with what BallyCara values in their team.
✨Emphasise Your Values
BallyCara is all about community and care. Make sure to express how your personal values align with theirs. Share why you believe in creating positive experiences through food and how you can contribute to their mission of enhancing residents' lives.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their approach to menu planning or how they support staff development. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
