At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare delicious meals and deliver top-notch service in a vibrant kitchen environment.
- Company: Join Serco, a leading global employer dedicated to making a positive impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, and access to extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with strong support for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in healthcare while honing your culinary skills and creativity.
- Qualifications: Basic food hygiene certificate and a passion for quality service required.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 27000 £ per year.
As a Chef in our Retail Catering – Kitchen team, you’ll help deliver high-quality food services that support patients, visitors, and colleagues every day. Your work will directly contribute to a positive experience within a healthcare setting where quality, care, and consistency matter. In this role, you’ll play an important part in maintaining high standards of food production, safety, and presentation. Your contribution helps ensure that every meal prepared supports wellbeing, enhances satisfaction, and reflects our commitment to making a positive impact on the communities we serve.
What you’ll do as a Chef
- Prepare and produce dishes in line with agreed menus for retail, patient, and function services
- Deliver friendly, efficient, and customer-focused service while maintaining high standards
- Maintain food safety, hygiene, and cleanliness in line with all policies and procedures
- Monitor food presentation and ensure consistent quality standards are met
- Support team collaboration, including training and mentoring kitchen colleagues
- Contribute to menu planning and continuous improvement within the catering service
- Manage stock rotation, minimise waste, and support cost control measures
- Use equipment safely and report any faults promptly
Does this sound like you?
You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:
- A basic food hygiene certificate
- Strong communication skills and the ability to support and guide others
- A customer-focused approach with a passion for delivering quality service
- The ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing demands
- An NVQ Level 2 in food production, or equivalent experience
Vetting and checks
A Standard DBS check will be carried out for this position. This includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings as permitted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. An Occupational Health Questionnaire will also be completed so we can ensure you have the necessary support to perform your duties.
What we offer
- 25 days plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Park & Ride shuttle service to the hospital
- Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
- Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
- Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme
Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge. Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.
Chef in Norfolk employer: Serco
At Serco, we pride ourselves on being a top employer that values the contributions of our team members in delivering high-quality food services within the healthcare sector. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth through extensive training opportunities, mentoring, and a commitment to internal progression. With excellent benefits, including generous leave, a contributory pension scheme, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, working as a Chef at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital means being part of a community dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef in Norfolk
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Serco and their values. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Chef, especially in a healthcare setting.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for food! During the interview, share your love for cooking and how you ensure high-quality food production. Talk about any creative dishes you've made or how you maintain food safety standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the team dynamics or menu planning at Serco. This shows you're engaged and ready to contribute to their catering service.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef in Norfolk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and food shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your culinary skills and how you’ve contributed to creating memorable dining experiences.
Highlight Your Team Spirit:We value collaboration, so make sure to mention any teamwork experiences. Talk about how you've supported or trained others in the kitchen, as this shows you're a great fit for our team-oriented environment.
Be Clear About Your Qualifications:Don’t forget to list your relevant qualifications, like your food hygiene certificate and NVQ Level 2. This helps us see that you meet the essential criteria right away!
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details promptly and can consider you for this exciting role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the types of dishes you might be preparing. Research the hospital's catering services and think about how you can contribute to menu planning. Being able to discuss your ideas on improving food quality or presentation will show your passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Hygiene Knowledge
Since a basic food hygiene certificate is essential, be prepared to discuss food safety practices during the interview. Share examples of how you've maintained cleanliness and safety in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your commitment to high standards.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
This role involves supporting and mentoring kitchen colleagues, so highlight your teamwork skills. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with others in a kitchen setting, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to a positive team environment.
✨Prepare for Pressure
Working in a healthcare setting can be fast-paced, so think of situations where you've successfully worked under pressure. Be ready to share how you adapt to changing demands while maintaining quality service, as this will show your resilience and ability to thrive in a busy kitchen.