Chef/Cook in Glasgow

Chef/Cook

At Oakminster Healthcare, food is about far more than putting a meal on a plate.

It is about comfort, choice, nutrition, independence, memories and moments of celebration. We are looking for an enthusiastic and caring Chef/Cook who takes genuine pride in producing good-quality food and wants to make a difference to the people who live within our Care Communities.

This is a varied portfolio role providing support across our five Glasgow Care Communities:

Florence House – Govan | Chester Park – Kinning Park | Cumbrae House – St George’s Cross | Oakview Manor – Pollokshields | Oakbridge – Knightswood

What will you bring?

You’ll be someone who enjoys cooking and understands that a successful care home kitchen needs to balance great food with individual needs, nutritional requirements, safety and choice.

You will:

• Prepare and serve fresh, appetising and nutritionally balanced meals, taking pride in their taste, presentation and consistency.

• Get to know the people we support – their likes, dislikes, cultural preferences, favourite foods and the meals that matter to them.

• Support people to be involved in menu planning, food preparation and everyday kitchen activities wherever this is meaningful and safe.

• Understand, or be willing to develop your knowledge of, IDDSI and texture-modified diets, ensuring people with swallowing difficulties can enjoy food that is both safe and appealing.

• Have a sound understanding of food allergens, food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness and EHO requirements, maintaining high standards every day.

• Work alongside care, nursing and wellbeing colleagues to meet the needs of people with complex health, nutritional and dietary requirements.

• Be creative and adaptable – making sure specialist diets don't mean someone receives a less enjoyable dining experience.

• Help us create moments through food – birthdays, celebrations, themed days, seasonal menus, baking together or simply preparing someone's favourite meal because it matters to them.

• Work flexibly across our Care Communities, sharing ideas and supporting our kitchen teams to maintain consistently high standards.

More than a kitchen role

We want someone who sees the person before the diet sheet.

Someone who understands that a familiar smell from the kitchen can evoke a memory; that making a sandwich or peeling vegetables can still provide purpose; and that beautifully presented texture-modified food matters just as much as any other meal.

You don't need to arrive knowing everything about catering for complex care needs. If you have the right attitude, strong cooking skills and a genuine desire to learn, we will support you to develop the specialist knowledge required.

If you are passionate about good food, enjoy variety and want a Chef/Cook role where what you create each day genuinely contributes to someone's health, wellbeing and quality of life, we would love to hear from you.

At Oakminster, food isn't simply part of the daily routine, it is part of living well.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Quality

• Prepare, cook and present fresh, appetising and nutritionally balanced meals to a consistently high standard.

• Ensure meals reflect individual preferences, nutritional needs, cultural requirements and dietary choices.

• Take pride in presentation, recognising that people should receive food that looks, smells and tastes appealing regardless of their dietary requirements.

• Adapt menus and meals creatively when individual preferences or changing needs require this.

• Support special occasions, birthdays, themed events and celebrations through food.

Person-Led Food & Dining

• Get to know the people living within each Care Community and understand their food preferences, routines, dislikes and what is important to them.

• Promote genuine choice at mealtimes and provide suitable alternatives where someone does not wish to have the planned menu.

• Encourage residents to contribute to menu planning, food discussions and feedback.

• Create opportunities for people to safely participate in meaningful food-related activities, including baking, preparing vegetables, making snacks, setting tables or sharing recipes.

• Work with colleagues to make dining an enjoyable social experience rather than simply a task within the daily routine.

Nutrition & Complex Care Needs

• Work collaboratively with nursing, care and wider multidisciplinary colleagues to support people with complex nutritional and hydration needs.

• Follow individual dietary guidance and care plans accurately.

• Recognise and report concerns including reduced appetite, difficulties eating or drinking, unexpected food refusal or other changes which may indicate a person's needs have altered.

• Contribute to approaches aimed at preventing malnutrition and supporting healthy weight and nutritional wellbeing.

• Support appropriate food fortification and high-calorie/high-protein options where these form part of an individual's nutritional plan.

IDDSI & Texture-Modified Diets

• Understand, or undertake training to develop competency in, the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework.

• Prepare texture-modified foods and thickened fluids safely and consistently in accordance with the person's assessed requirements.

• Complete appropriate IDDSI testing to confirm the correct texture/consistency before food is served.

• Ensure texture-modified meals remain visually appealing, recognisable and enjoyable.

• Never independently alter an individual's prescribed IDDSI level without appropriate clinical assessment and instruction.

• Immediately elevate any concerns regarding swallowing, coughing, choking or changes in a person's ability to manage food or fluids.

Food Safety, Allergens & Compliance

• Maintain excellent standards of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness at all times.

• Comply with food safety legislation, Oakminster policies, HACCP-based procedures and Environmental Health Officer (EHO) requirements.

• Maintain accurate food safety records, including temperature monitoring, cooking, cooling, reheating and storage records where applicable.

• Maintain effective allergen controls and ensure allergen information is accurate and readily available.

• Prevent cross-contamination and cross-contact through appropriate storage, preparation, cleaning and food-handling practices.

• Ensure food is appropriately labelled, dated, rotated and stored using effective stock-control systems.

• Immediately report food safety, equipment or environmental concerns.

Kitchen Standards & Stock Management

• Maintain a clean, organised and welcoming kitchen environment.

• Monitor food stocks and support effective ordering to ensure appropriate supplies are available.

• Minimise unnecessary food waste while ensuring quality and food safety are never compromised.

• Monitor fridge, freezer and food-storage temperatures and respond appropriately to any variance.

• Ensure kitchen equipment is used safely and report faults promptly.

• Support effective use of resources and responsible budget management.

Portfolio Support Across Oakminster

• Work flexibly across Florence House, Chester Park, Cumbrae House, Oakview Manor and Oakbridge according to service requirements.

• Support kitchen teams during periods of annual leave, sickness, vacancies or increased operational demand.

• Adapt confidently to the different needs and personalities of each Care Community while maintaining consistent Oakminster standards.

• Share ideas, recipes, good practice and learning across the portfolio.

• Provide practical support and guidance to colleagues where standards or practices can be strengthened.

• Contribute positively to audits, inspections, improvement activity and actions arising from EHO or internal quality reviews.

Communication & Teamwork

• Develop positive working relationships with residents, relatives and colleagues.

• Communicate relevant dietary information effectively with nursing, care and wellbeing teams.

• Participate in meetings, resident discussions and menu reviews where appropriate.

• Listen and respond constructively to feedback about meals and the dining experience.

• Promote a culture where catering colleagues are recognised as an important part of the wider team supporting people's health and wellbeing.

About the company

Oakminster Healthcare is a leading care home group based in Glasgow, dedicated to providing exceptional residential and nursing care. With a strong focus on compassion, dignity, and respect, our homes offer a warm and supportive environment where residents feel valued and safe. Our highly skilled teams deliver person-centred care, ensuring each individual’s needs are met with professionalism and kindness. At Oakminster Healthcare, we foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning, offering rewarding career opportunities for those passionate about making a difference. Join us and become part of a team that truly cares.

Skills you'll need

• Chefing Skills