At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our kitchen team to prepare healthy meals for patients and staff.
- Company: Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, dedicated to compassionate care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Supportive environment with a focus on wellbeing and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through nutritious food.
- Qualifications: 3 GCSEs or equivalent in catering; experience in culinary service preferred.
The predicted salary is between 25760 - 27476 £ per year.
To join our team of chefs working in one of the only in-house fresh cook kitchens in the NHS and provide healthy nutritious food to Patients, Staff and Visitors who use the facilities here at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Help us make a difference to people. We are a vital part of the recovery journey and we are proud to work here.
The post holder will work closely alongside our head chef, Catering Team, and other stakeholders within the hospital to ensure food is of the required standards and that the department is compliant with all legislation. Help us build a bigger team and strive for excellence in the NHS with a passion for fresh food, tastes, colours, and smells.
Main duties of the job:
- Responsible for the preparation and compliance of their section of the kitchen, including keeping the area clean and safe.
- Cooking and serving all meals in a timely manner.
- Following recipes and using correct quantities to avoid wastage.
- Following approved methods of preparation and cooking.
- Optimising stock and maintaining kitchen productivity.
- Ensuring allergen data is correct and all H.A.C.C.P procedures are compliant.
- Maintaining and ensuring labelling is correct.
- Collating and inputting all temperature data.
- Attending all mandatory training and participating in CPD training as requested.
- Providing support and assistance to other team members as required to meet time pressures of the role.
- Participating in team toolbox talks and discussions regarding service improvements.
- Using departmental computer systems.
About us:
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme that is changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means we are working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. We are a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job responsibilities:
- Responsible for the preparation from scratch of the required meals by following the laid down recipes and methods of the kitchen.
- Cooking of dishes by the prescribed method and recording the temperatures reached while ensuring that the appearance and taste of the dish are correct and that it is ready at the appropriate time.
- Keeping your working area clean and safe, also participating in the deep cleaning of sections.
- Following recipes to ensure that overproduction is kept to a minimum.
- Using computer systems within the department to assist with understanding of maths to adjust quantities.
- Optimising the use of stock by following F.I.F.O and recipes.
- Using the correct listed products to ensure allergen compliance and reporting any alternative substitutions supplied.
- Ensuring that all food is temperature recorded as required and recorded into the H.A.C.C.P System.
- All labels should be clear and fully filled out to provide the correct information.
- All food components must be stored correctly in a timely manner in appropriate containers.
- Completing all mandatory training as required by the trust either online or in person.
- Undertaking all catering specific training as required such as food allergen training, food safety training & Listeria training.
- Supporting the team as required to complete all tasks and ensure that tight guidelines are met.
- Attending and participating in team meetings where discussions will include feedback and guidelines on how to keep the continual strive for excellence going.
- Understanding and using the department's patient ordering system to collate figures and produce meals, and passing on the data provided to fulfil all special diet requests.
Person Specification:
Qualifications:
- Essential: 3 GCSEs or equivalent NVQ level 2 or equivalent in catering.
- Desirable: NVQ or equivalent in nutrition, Basic qualification in food hygiene (CIEH Level 2), Previous experience in hospital trust environment, Previous experience in hotel or similar large establishment.
Experience:
- Essential: Culinary service, hospitality, restaurant or large retail environment, Working with basic PC, printers and scanners, Experience working with a large team.
- Desirable: Complaint handling, Ability to conduct risk assessments (Familiarisation with risk management protocols).
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Chef in Harlow employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
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We think you need these skills to ace Chef in Harlow
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