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- Tasks: Prepare nutritious meals for patients and the public, ensuring high culinary standards.
- Company: Join St Luke's Hospice, a charity dedicated to compassionate care for those with incurable illnesses.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pay rate, full-time hours, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a caring team that values dignity in dying and promotes patient wellbeing through food.
- Qualifications: Previous cooking experience, knowledge of dietary needs, and strong culinary skills are essential.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, especially under-represented groups.
St Luke\’s Hospice are a charity providing compassionate care to people whose illnesses are no longer curable. We promote dignity in dying and empower people to make the choices they want, from the moment they are diagnosed.
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual passionate about hospitality, looking to make a meaningful impact in a charity with a compassionate cause. Join St Luke\’s Hospice as a Cook and support us in delivering exceptional care through nutritious and delicious meals and patient interaction.
About the role
You will be responsible for preparing high-quality meals that meet the dietary needs of our patients as well as for the public in our busy Sunflower Café. The successful candidate will work closely with the healthcare team to ensure that all meals are nutritious, safe, and tailored to the individual preferences of our patients.
Key Responsibilities for Cook
To prepare/provide a full, nutritional and balanced diet for patients (in conjunction with the nursing and/or medical staff), visitors, and staff of St. Luke’s Hospice.
- To undertake all cooking duties for The Sunflower Café and provide high quality food at all times. These would include breakfast, lunch and specials menus. Cake baking and decorating in-house. Preparing afternoon teas, seasonal menu’s, buffet functions and large catering events.
- To prepare all foods in strict accordance to Allergens and Food Safety Guidelines.
- To prepare all meals to a high culinary standard, maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety in the execution of these duties, as well as assisting to provide the homely atmosphere required in special relationship to catering.
- To help co-ordinate the Catering team day to day, assisting with Front of House and Back of House duties when required. To plan service development in conjunction with the Catering Supervisor and Hospitality and Catering Manager and the Catering Team, deputising for the Catering Supervisor in their absence.
Salary and Contract for Cook Position
Pay rate: £12.21 to £12.86 per hour, depending on experience.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week 5 over 7 days (Monday to Sunday on a rotating shift pattern, including weekends and Bank Holidays)
Location: Thurrock Hospice (On-Site)
About you
Skills and Qualifications for the Cook position:
Essential
• Previous experience as a cook or chef.
• Knowledge of allergens, dietary requirements and nutrition.
• Strong culinary skills and knowledge of various cooking techniques.
• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Desirable
• Previous experience as a cook or chef in a healthcare setting or similar environment.
• Previous experience as a cook or chef in a commercial setting or similar environment.
• Experience in creating specialised diets (e.g., diabetic, low-sodium, gluten-free).
• Experience working in a hospice or similar healthcare environment.
• Experience with cake making and decorating.
• Experience with customer facing duties, including cash handling, operating tills and making \”Barista Style\” drinks.
• Food Safety Certificate Level 2 or equivalent.
Personal Characteristics for the Cook position
• Passion for cooking and caring for others through food.
• Broad knowledge of basic catering styles.
• Attention to detail and high standards of cleanliness.
• Empathy for the ethos of the Hospice.
• Resilient and able to cope with challenging situations.
• Reliable and trustworthy.
• Adaptable and willingness to upskill where necessary
About Applying
When applying, ensure you provide answers to our questions, your latest CV and a supporting statement, detailing the skills, knowledge, and experience you bring to the role.
Right to Work
St. Luke\’s Hospice is unable to sponsor work permits or visas. All candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
At St Luke\’s Hospice, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes for the people who access our services. We particularly welcome applications from disabled, LGBT+ and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates as these groups are currently under-represented in our teams. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of access requirements for people who have a disability.
If you are committed to preparing high-quality, compassionate meals that support patient wellbeing and would like to be part of a dedicated team, we warmly invite you to apply for this rewarding Cook role in Thurrock.
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Cook employer: St Luke's Hospice
Contact Detail:
St Luke's Hospice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary needs and preferences of patients in a hospice setting. Understanding how to cater to various dietary restrictions will show your commitment to providing compassionate care through food.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any experience you have in a healthcare or similar environment during your interactions. This can help demonstrate your ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and your understanding of the unique challenges faced in such settings.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for cooking and caring for others by sharing personal stories or experiences that reflect this. Engaging with the interviewers on a personal level can make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of food safety and allergen guidelines. Demonstrating your awareness of these important aspects will reassure the hiring team of your capability to maintain high standards in the kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in cooking, especially in healthcare or hospitality settings. Emphasise your culinary skills, knowledge of dietary requirements, and any previous roles that demonstrate your ability to work in a compassionate environment.
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: In your supporting statement, detail your passion for cooking and how it relates to caring for others. Mention specific experiences that showcase your ability to prepare nutritious meals and your understanding of allergens and food safety guidelines.
Answer Application Questions Thoughtfully: When responding to the application questions, provide clear and concise answers that reflect your skills and experiences. Use examples from your past roles to illustrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Personal Characteristics: Highlight personal traits that align with the ethos of St Luke's Hospice, such as empathy, reliability, and adaptability. Share anecdotes that demonstrate your resilience and ability to cope with challenging situations in a kitchen or caregiving environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at St Luke's Hospice
✨Show Your Passion for Cooking
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking and how it relates to caring for others. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your passion for creating nutritious meals, especially in a healthcare setting.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Dietary Needs
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of dietary requirements and allergens. Highlight any previous experience you have with specialised diets, as this is crucial for the role at St Luke's Hospice.
✨Emphasise Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past positions. This will show your ability to contribute positively to the team environment.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Have thoughtful questions ready about the cooking responsibilities and the team dynamics at St Luke's Hospice. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand how you can best fit into their mission.
