Cook in Southampton

Reports To

Head Cook, Registered Manager / Deputy Manager as appropriate

Accountable To

Registered Manager and Directors

About Oaklands Rest Home

Oaklands Rest Home is a family-run care home based on the edge of the New Forest. We support residents to feel safe, respected, known and cared for as individuals. Food is a central part of daily life at Oaklands. It supports health, comfort, routine, dignity, choice and enjoyment.

In a care home, cooking is not just preparing meals. It is helping residents feel cared for, listened to and at home.

Role Purpose

The purpose of the Cook role is to prepare and serve safe, nutritious, varied and enjoyable meals for residents, taking account of dietary needs, allergies, preferences, routines and individual care requirements.

You will work as part of the kitchen team, follow menus and food safety procedures, maintain kitchen cleanliness, complete required records and communicate with care colleagues where residents’ food, nutrition or mealtime wellbeing may need attention.

This is a hands-on cooking role. The right person will take pride in good food, safe practice, organisation, cleanliness and the resident experience.

Main Responsibilities

1. Food preparation and cooking

You will:

• prepare and cook meals, puddings, snacks, cakes and drinks as required
• follow agreed menus and recipes while maintaining quality and consistency
• support home cooking and baking where possible
• ensure food is appetising, nutritious and presented appropriately
• prepare meals on time and at the correct temperature
• support celebration food, events and special occasions where required
• minimise waste while maintaining choice and quality

2. Resident preferences, nutrition and special diets

You will:

• follow information about residents’ dietary needs, allergies, preferences and modified diets
• adapt meals where required and within your competence
• respect resident choice and dignity around food
• report concerns about appetite, food intake, swallowing, weight loss, hydration or mealtime distress to the appropriate person
• work with the Head Cook, care team and Lifestyle / Activities team to support positive mealtime experiences

3. Food hygiene, safety and records

You will:

• follow food hygiene, food safety and kitchen procedures at all times
• complete temperature checks, fridge/freezer checks, cleaning records and other kitchen documentation accurately and on time
• store food correctly and follow stock rotation procedures
• keep the kitchen, equipment and food preparation areas clean, safe and organised
• report food safety concerns, equipment faults, stock issues or hazards promptly
• use kitchen equipment and cleaning products safely

4. Teamwork and communication

You will:

• work respectfully with the Head Cook, kitchen colleagues, care team, housekeeping team and management
• communicate clearly about mealtime needs, delays, changes or concerns
• respond constructively to feedback from residents, colleagues and managers
• support a calm, professional and organised kitchen environment
• help create a positive atmosphere around food and mealtimes

5. Safeguarding and resident wellbeing

You will:

• understand that food, hydration and mealtimes can affect resident wellbeing
• report any concern that may affect a resident’s safety, nutrition, hydration or dignity
• follow safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures where required
• protect confidentiality when discussing residents’ dietary or care needs

Behavioural Attributes

In this role, you will be expected to be:

• proud of good food, cleanliness and presentation
• reliable, punctual and consistent
• organised and calm during busy kitchen periods
• careful with food safety, allergies, records and hygiene
• respectful of residents’ choices, preferences and dignity
• willing to listen to feedback and adapt where appropriate
• collaborative with care and activities colleagues
• honest when mistakes, shortages or concerns occur
• practical, tidy and methodical in the kitchen
• conscious of waste and value for money
• positive about food as part of residents’ quality of life

What Good Looks Like in This Role

Good performance in this role means:

• residents receive meals that are safe, nutritious, varied and enjoyable
• food is prepared on time, safely and to a good standard
• dietary needs, allergies and preferences are followed carefully
• food safety records and cleaning checks are completed accurately
• the kitchen is clean, organised and inspection-ready
• food waste is minimised without compromising quality
• concerns about appetite, nutrition or mealtimes are reported promptly
• residents and colleagues experience the kitchen as calm, helpful and caring
• mealtimes support dignity, comfort and a sense of home

This Role Is Not Suitable For Individuals Who

• see care home cooking as basic catering rather than part of resident wellbeing
• cut corners with food hygiene, allergens, temperatures or records
• dislike routine checks, cleaning schedules or documentation
• ignore resident preferences or feedback
• become easily flustered in a busy kitchen
• are careless with stock, waste or storage
• avoid working with care staff or other departments
• are unreliable with timekeeping or attendance
• avoid reporting mistakes, shortages or food safety concerns

Training and Development

You will be expected to:

• participate in induction, supervision and appraisal processes
• complete all mandatory and role-specific training
• engage in continuous learning and development
• contribute to your own development and the development of the kitchen team
• ask for support when you are unsure or need further guidance
• apply learning in day-to-day practice so residents benefit from safe, nutritious and person-centred food service

General Responsibilities

You will be expected to:

• attend meetings, training and supervision as required
• adhere to all company policies and procedures
• work in line with Oaklands’ values and expected behaviours
• maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
• follow safeguarding, whistleblowing, infection control, health and safety, food safety and data protection requirements
• use Oaklands’ systems and documentation properly
• work flexibly and collaboratively to meet the needs of residents and the home
• carry out reasonable duties requested by the management team in line with the role

Person Specification

Essential

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• previous experience cooking in a professional, care, hospitality, school or similar kitchen setting
• ability to prepare nutritious, appetising meals safely and consistently
• understanding of food hygiene, kitchen safety and safe food handling
• ability to follow menus, recipes, dietary instructions and kitchen procedures
• awareness of allergies, special diets and resident preferences
• ability to complete kitchen records accurately
• pride in cleanliness, organisation and presentation
• ability to work calmly under time pressure
• reliability and good timekeeping
• respect for older people and residents living with dementia
• willingness to work collaboratively with care and management teams

Desirable

• food hygiene qualification
• experience in a care home, healthcare or school kitchen
• experience supporting special diets, allergies or texture-adapted meals
• experience with kitchen records, temperature checks and cleaning schedules
• experience with home cooking and baking
• understanding of nutrition for older people

Expected Outcomes

In this role, success means:

• residents enjoy safe, nutritious and well-prepared meals
• food is served on time and at the correct temperature
• dietary needs, allergies and preferences are followed carefully
• kitchen records and checks are completed properly
• the kitchen remains clean, tidy and safe
• food waste is controlled appropriately
• resident feedback and concerns are shared with the right people
• Oaklands’ values are reflected in food preparation and mealtime support

Additional Requirements

This role requires:

• satisfactory DBS check where required for the role
• suitable references
• right to work in the UK
• completion of Oaklands induction and mandatory training
• food hygiene and kitchen-specific training as required
• compliance with Oaklands policies and procedures
• participation in supervision, training and development
• flexibility to meet the needs of residents and the home

Safeguarding Statement

All staff at Oaklands Rest Home have a duty to protect residents from harm, abuse, neglect and poor practice. As a Cook, you must report concerns relating to nutrition, hydration, swallowing, food refusal, weight loss, distress around mealtimes, food safety or any issue that may affect a resident’s safety or wellbeing.