At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious, nutritious meals for our residents and manage a small kitchen team.
- Company: Join a leading not-for-profit care provider dedicated to quality and compassion.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, competitive pay, and great training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values care, warmth, and community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of elderly residents through your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in a professional kitchen and a passion for cooking for large groups.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We’re one of the largest not for profit care providers in the UK, specialising in providing high quality, person-centred care for older people, in care homes and extra care housing nationwide. At OSJCT we care about our residents and we care about each other. That means you’ll enjoy great career development working for an expanding organisation. Because we’re a not for profit trust, we invest every penny we make in the people who live in our homes and the people who work here too. This means better quality care and lovely homes for our residents, along with competitive wages and great training and development for our people.
We provide outstanding care, working closely with leading experts on dementia and elderly care. And we’re currently modernising our portfolio of care homes – refurbishing our existing homes and moving into new, inspiring, contemporary care homes too. As we expand nationwide, we need more people with the right mix of skills, passion and ambition to help us grow even more.
Location: Berryfield Rd, Princes Risborough HP27 0HE
Contracted hours: 34.5
ABOUT THE ROLE
Are you an experienced chef, used to catering for large groups of people, looking to design your own menus, cooking with fresh seasonal food? Are you looking for your next challenge without split shifts and anti-social hours? Would you like full autonomy over menu development, with the opportunity to cook nutritious, high quality, flavoursome and well-balanced meals that our residents will love? Working as a Chef in our homes, you’ll oversee all aspects of our kitchen and catering services including management of a small team, ensuring the highest standards of nutrition, hygiene and safety at all times. You may occasionally be asked to cater for meals for other day centres, luncheon clubs and community activities and some weekend work will be required.
Nutrition is an important element of the care package that we provide. You’ll be actively involved in the nutritional needs of our residents to ensure that a high-quality dining experience is received by everyone. You’ll build relationships with our residents and their families so that you understand and can accommodate their personal preferences. In joining us, you’ll also become part of our extended family. You’ll work alongside other team members who are passionate about providing care, warmth and kindness to all those who live and work in our homes.
Icknield Court care home is conveniently located close to the town centre of Princes Risborough, and is also within easy reach of High Wycombe. Our care home provides a friendly and modern living environment and offers 90 individual rooms positioned across six separate wings. With many facilities and plenty of outdoor and communal space, residents can participate in stimulating social activities and enjoy each other’s company. Personal items can be brought from home and added to rooms to provide those homely touches.
AND IN RETURN
The Trust is a great place to work; we’ve been providing care for almost 1,000 years and we’re currently the second largest not-for-profit provider in the UK. Not-for-profit means that we reinvest every penny we make into our residents, colleagues and the care homes we live and work in. Therefore, we offer a great range of benefits, including a competitive salary, training and development. Alongside keeping our colleagues safe with PPE and daily testing.
- 30 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
- A Company pension
- Free uniform
- Free DBS
- Higher rates of pay at weekends
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Refer a Friend scheme rewarding you up to £1000 for every recommendation you make who successfully starts working for us
- Blue Light Card and “My Rewards” programme, offering you discounts on shopping, days out, restaurants and much more
ABOUT YOU
You’ll need to have previous experience of working in a professional kitchen, providing meals for large numbers, with knowledge of menu planning for specialist diets. Ideally you will hold, or be working towards, a Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership or equivalent but this is not essential. You’ll have experience of leading, motivating and inspiring a team and be confident in engaging with our elderly residents to understand their individual needs. You’ll know how to manage your budget and stock effectively. If you think you have the right skills and attitude we’re looking for as a chef within our care homes, then you could be the next to join us. So, apply and get your career started with us today.
Chef employer: Orders of St. John Care Trust
At OSJCT, we pride ourselves on being one of the largest not-for-profit care providers in the UK, dedicated to delivering high-quality, person-centred care for older people. Our commitment to investing in our staff and residents creates a supportive work environment where you can thrive, with opportunities for career development, competitive salaries, and a range of benefits including 30 days holiday and access to discounts through our rewards programme. Join us at Icknield Court in Princes Risborough, where you'll enjoy a modern living environment and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our residents while working alongside a passionate team.
Contact Details:
Orders of St. John Care Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to friends, family, and former colleagues in the industry. You never know who might have a lead on a chef position or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or a pop-up dinner to showcase your menu ideas. This not only demonstrates your talent but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to care homes and express your interest in working with them. A personal touch can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities tailored for chefs like you looking to make a difference in our residents' lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When writing your application, let us know why you love cooking and how it connects to providing great care. Share any experiences that highlight your passion for creating nutritious meals for others.
Tailor Your CV to Us:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match our needs. Highlight your experience in catering for large groups and any knowledge of menu planning for special diets. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Be Person-Centred:Remember, we’re all about person-centred care! In your application, mention how you’ve built relationships with residents or clients in the past. Show us that you understand the importance of accommodating individual preferences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orders of St. John Care Trust
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, take some time to think about the types of menus you would create for the residents. Familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and how they can be used to cater to various dietary needs. This will show your passion for cooking and your understanding of nutrition.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a chef, you'll be leading a small team, so be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Think of examples where you've motivated or inspired your team in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to manage a kitchen effectively will impress the interviewers.
✨Connect with the Care Aspect
Remember, this role is not just about cooking; it’s about providing care. Be ready to talk about how you would engage with residents and their families to understand their preferences. Showing that you care about their dining experience will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with questions. Ask about the current menu, how they involve residents in meal planning, or what challenges the kitchen faces. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
