At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious menus and cook fresh, seasonal meals for our residents.
- Company: Join a leading not-for-profit care provider with a family-like culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 30 days holiday, and discounts on shopping and activities.
- Other info: Be part of a growing organisation with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives through nutritious and tasty meals.
- Qualifications: Experience in a professional kitchen and team leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Location: Spencer Court Care Home, Woodstock, OX20 1JG
Pay rate: £16.49 per hour (weekend and NVQ enhancements available)
Contracted hours: 37.5 hours per week
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
Spencer Court offers residential care for 46 residents, situated close to the centre of the charming Oxfordshire town of Woodstock. This modern home, designed with comfort and wellbeing in mind, exudes a homely atmosphere. Spencer Court is situated a stone's throw from historic Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, in the charming town of Woodstock. The home offers high-quality and compassionate residential and early-stage dementia care for up to 46 residents in calm, friendly and comfortable surroundings.
Chef in Woodstock employer: Orders of St. John Care Trust
At OSJCT, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment where our chefs can thrive. With competitive pay rates, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to employee development, we ensure that our team members feel valued and empowered. Located in the picturesque town of Woodstock, our modern care home provides a warm atmosphere, allowing you to create meaningful connections with residents while enjoying the benefits of working in a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to high-quality care.
Contact Details:
Orders of St. John Care Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef in Woodstock
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Spencer Court Care Home. Understanding their values and how they care for residents will help you connect with the team during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary creativity! Bring along a few menu ideas that reflect your style and how you can cater to the nutritional needs of the residents. This will demonstrate your passion and initiative.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your people skills! Since you'll be engaging with residents and their families, think about how you can build rapport. Maybe even role-play some scenarios with a friend to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our family at Spencer Court.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef in Woodstock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in catering for large groups and any special dietary knowledge you have. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our kitchen!
Personal Touch Matters:Don’t forget to mention your ability to build relationships with residents and their families. We value a personal approach, so share any experiences that showcase your connection with those you serve.
Be Clear About Your Leadership Style:As a chef, you'll be leading a small team. Use your application to describe your leadership style and how you motivate others. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and create a positive kitchen environment!
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, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Spencer Court!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orders of St. John Care Trust
✨Know Your Menu
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
Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading a kitchen team. Think of specific examples where you've motivated or inspired your colleagues. Highlighting your ability to manage a team effectively will demonstrate that you're ready for the responsibilities of this role.
✨Engage with the Care Aspect
Since this role involves working closely with elderly residents, be ready to talk about how you would build relationships with them. Share any past experiences where you’ve catered to individual preferences or dietary requirements, showing that you understand the importance of personalisation in care.
✨Budget Management Know-How
Brush up on your skills in managing kitchen budgets and stock. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully managed costs in previous roles while still delivering high-quality meals. This will reassure the interviewers that you can handle the financial aspects of the position.
