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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create delicious, seasonal meals for residents.
- Company: Join B&M Care, a compassionate team dedicated to providing quality care.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours with part-time and zero-hour contracts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through nourishing food and community.
- Qualifications: Must have a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop your culinary skills in a supportive environment.
We are looking for a Head Cook to prepare meals that are nourishing and well presented. Creating seasonal menus based on the input of the residents, families and management, taking into consideration dietary requirements and ensuring the kitchen is clean and up to all regulations.
Rate of Pay: £13.34 per hour
Contract Type: Bank (Zero Hours) and Part time
Contract Hours: Zero (Bank) and Weekend Hours
Location: Kings Langley - St Lauras
Working in care can be challenging, but it's also one of the most rewarding jobs that you can do. When you join the B&M Care family, our 'whole home approach' ensures that you will be supported as part of a caring, compassionate team.
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- To compile seasonal menus with the input of the residents, families and the Home Manager that are varied, and consist of meals that will be suitable for the residents taking into account backgrounds, culture and dietary requirements.
- To be responsible for the delivery of excellence in relation to meal times and dining room/mealtime experience and presentation.
- Ensure the cleanliness and hygienic appearance of the kitchen.
- To also be accountable for food standards and meeting health & safety regulations.
- Ensuring that all practices are of a high standard and are monitored.
- Ensure effective finance controls - adhering to budgets set out by the company.
- Manage and develop your kitchen team, to include supervisions, appraisals as well as inducting new members of the team.
Essential Skills, Characteristics and Experience:
- Must hold a Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2 or above.
Head Cook employer: St Lauras
Contact Detail:
St Lauras Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary requirements and preferences of the residents. Understanding their needs will not only help you create appealing menus but also demonstrate your commitment to providing personalised care.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your ability to manage a kitchen team effectively. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully developed team members in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Head Cook position.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations. Being able to discuss specific practices you've implemented in past kitchens can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to talk about your experience with budgeting and finance controls in the kitchen. Sharing examples of how you've adhered to budgets while maintaining quality can demonstrate your capability to manage resources effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in cooking and kitchen management. Emphasise any previous roles where you created menus or managed a team, as these are key aspects of the Head Cook position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for cooking and working in a care environment. Mention your understanding of dietary requirements and how you can create meals that cater to diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2 or above in your application. If you have additional qualifications or training related to nutrition or culinary arts, be sure to include those as well.
Showcase Team Management Skills: Discuss your experience in managing and developing kitchen teams. Provide examples of how you've supervised staff, conducted appraisals, or trained new team members, as this is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at St Lauras
✨Showcase Your Culinary Creativity
Be prepared to discuss your experience in creating seasonal menus. Highlight any specific dishes you've crafted that cater to dietary requirements and reflect cultural backgrounds, as this will demonstrate your ability to meet the needs of residents.
✨Emphasise Hygiene and Safety Knowledge
Since a Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2 is essential, make sure to talk about your understanding of kitchen cleanliness and health regulations. Share examples of how you've maintained high standards in previous roles to reassure them of your commitment to safety.
✨Discuss Team Management Skills
As a Head Cook, you'll need to manage a kitchen team. Be ready to share your experiences in supervising staff, conducting appraisals, and training new team members. This will show that you can lead effectively and foster a positive working environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific situations, such as dietary restrictions or managing a busy service. Think through your responses in advance, using examples from your past experiences to illustrate your problem-solving skills.
