Cook

Exciting opportunity to join the Tukes Catering Team as a Cook delivering high quality meals to those using our inpatient units, and assist with training and developing skills of service users who are volunteering in the kitchens on the units.

Main duties of the job:

• The post holder will undertake a wide range of duties in relation to working in a busy kitchen environment and catering services within Navigo operated by TUKES.
• It will also be the post holder's responsibility to help with any additional requests to provide catering services for events, ensuring they are coordinated efficiently and effectively.
• Once trained you will be required to work on all sites, depending on the needs of the business.
• Direct patient services will be required, and it is therefore essential you conduct yourself in a friendly, efficient and approachable manner at all times.
• Regardless of tasks to be undertaken, the post holder will work alongside people with mental health problems and help them gain skills, knowledge and experience that will enhance their ability to find employment.

About us:

Hello! We are Navigo. We look after North East Lincolnshire's mental health and well-being, an award-winning social enterprise that provides mental health services to the NHS and beyond. The whole basis of our work is to deliver services that we would be happy for our own family to use.

We offer a range of mental health services, including acute and community facilities as well as specialist support such as outstanding older adults inpatient services, rehabilitation and recovery community mental health and an outstanding specialist eating disorder facility. Ranked as one of the top UK companies to work for, we feature in the Best Companies top 100 large company list.

As a social enterprise, we do things a little bit differently and have also developed income-generating commercially viable businesses that provide training, education and employment opportunities including Grimsby Garden Centre. Working at Navigo is not like working anywhere else. Lots of places say that, but we really mean it. We like to work with forward-thinking people who want to make a difference. Come and Join us!

Job responsibilities:

• Preparation and cooking of palatable and nutritionally balanced meals on a daily basis using fresh produce and ingredients.
• Plan suitable menus, and to make choices available, including special dietary meals, which take into account medical, cultural and religious needs where appropriate.
• To be responsible for proper standards of hygiene and infection control, and to control kitchen laundry.
• Responsible for ensuring that all utensils, equipment, work surfaces and areas are maintained in a hygienic state of a high standard.
• To be responsible for ordering of stock and ensuring correct storage and stock rotation with every provisions delivery.
• Ensures compliance with Policy and Procedures concerning the health, welfare and safety of service users and staff members. This will include COSHH.
• Perform such other duties as reasonably correspond to the general character of the post and are commensurate with its level of responsibility.
• The post holder will be responsible for accurate temperature recording in accordance with HACCP and Food Management Systems guidelines.
• Train assistant cooks staff and members in meal preparation during peak times according to the needs of the business.
• Maintain records of meals prepared and monitor wastage to optimise best use of resources and budget.
• Work in conjunction with other Cooks on site, to ensure the service is consistent, including portion control and prices.
• Facilitate any adhoc catering services such as Buffets, AGM events and conferences.
• Ensure that appropriate uniforms and protective clothing is worn, to maintain food safety and hygiene conditions.
• Liaise with the ward managers to ensure Nutritional care standards are being met whilst supporting the food and Drinks strategy.
• Cooks will be responsible for checking rotas and ensuring full cover and annual leave is taken within the guidelines required to maximise productivity.
• Play a significant role in the development of service users training programme, liaising with employment specialist team and support workers in TUKES ensuring they are adequately supported and are in receipt of the correct level training to meet their individual development needs.
• A good attitude is essential to ensure the service users, visitors and staff have a good experience when visiting the sites or cafe.
• Responsible for the implementation of safe systems of work, including representing TUKES catering Services at internal and external meetings to ensure any changes in service or regulations.
• Ensure all equipment and materials in the kitchens are being used in a safe manner in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers instructions, reporting and replacing any defective items.
• Communicate regularly to the Catering team Leader to ensure that any issues or occurrences are dealt with in a timely and efficient manner.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: Food Hygiene, Respect trained or willing to work towards, Demonstration of further qualification interests, First Aid trained or willing to work towards if required by area of service.
• Knowledge: Working Knowledge of ordering and Stock Control, Understanding of health promotion through healthy eating, Knowledge of HACCP and COSHH, Working knowledge of healthcare catering facilities.
• Additional Criteria: Ability to work to high standards within restrictive timescales, Professional attitude and approach, Ability to deal with stressful situations and clients, Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of people with mental health problems, Ability to work under pressure and be able to prioritise/meet deadlines.
• Experience: Appropriate work experience within the field of catering, Catering experience at chef level, Working within a hospital/mental health environment, Team Leading qualification or equivalent experience.

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.