At a Glance
- Tasks: Support chefs with food prep, cooking, and maintaining a clean kitchen.
- Company: Join St Margaret's Hospice, a community-focused charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, health plans, and excellent learning opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours, part-time role with opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a compassionate team that cares for patients every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering, food safety certification, and a positive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 21886 - 21886 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Kitchen Assistant to join our team at St Margarets Hospice. We are looking to expand our catering services to strengthen up and coming future projects. The ideal candidate will be able to provide outstanding support to a busy kitchen which will include food preparation, cooking of meals and general cleaning throughout whilst complying with HACCP management.
We are looking for someone who:
- Understands food safety processes, in line with environmental health guidelines.
- Has a positive attitude, is highly motivated and enthusiastic.
- Is willing to go above and beyond to ensure that our patients receive outstanding care.
- Experience of working within a similar environment would be preferable as the role will require interaction with patients.
Role Details
- Salary: £21,886.49 per annum
- Additional Payments: 14% Unsocial Hours Payments
- Working Pattern: Part-time, 30 hours per week
- Contract: Permanent
- Location: Taunton, with some occasional Yeovil working
What can you expect to be doing?
You’ll support the Chefs with food preparation, creation of meal development, serving meals, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring high standards of food hygiene throughout the main kitchen and kitchenette areas.
Key duties include:
- Assisting with food preparation and basic cooking tasks.
- Serving meals and maintaining a clean, safe kitchen environment.
- Correctly storing and labelling food.
- Washing catering equipment and carrying out other relevant cleaning duties.
- Preparing and maintaining of rooms for functions and events.
What will you be good at?
You’ll have:
- Previous experience in a catering or kitchen environment.
- Hold some certification such as Food safety and Hygiene Allergen awareness.
- Compassionate, Creative, Positive with a flexible approach to work.
- Full Drivers Licence.
There will be a requirement to travel to Yeovil on occasion in order to cover holiday, sickness, or support with events.
Our Values
At St Margaret's Hospice, our values guide everything we do. We are:
- Compassionate: Kindness and care for everyone, every day
- Collaborative: One team, working together for one goal
- Ambitious: Striving for better, now and into the future.
Inclusive recruitment
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Why join St Margaret's Hospice?
You won't just be joining a fantastic team - you'll become part of a welcoming, community-minded charity making a real difference every day. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment alongside a range of benefits including:
- Holiday entitlement: 33 days including bank holidays, rising to 35 days after 1 year, and increasing with length of service (pro-rata if part-time)
- Ability to buy and sell annual leave
- Pension scheme: NHS pension continuation where applicable* 6% employer / 5% employee contribution for non-NHS staff
- Additional Benefits: Life assurance cover (2x salary)
- Health Cash Plans
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access, counselling, wellbeing support, and legal/financial advice
- Blue Light Discount Card
- Enhanced maternity leave*
- Excellent learning and development opportunities
- Free on-site parking in Yeovil and Taunton
- Opportunities to volunteer and support fundraising initiatives*
Eligibility criteria applies
Closing date: 25th August 2026
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.
Safer Recruitment
St Margaret's Hospice are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of those who use our services. As part of our safer recruitment processes, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks relevant to the role. These may include verification of identity, right to work, references, qualifications, DBS, and other compliance checks.
The Disclosure and Barring Service offers a confidential checking service for transgender applicants. This route gives applicants the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate and is available for all levels of DBS check.
Kitchen Assistant in Taunton employer: St Margarets Hospice
At St Margaret’s Hospice Care, we pride ourselves on being a compassionate and forward-thinking employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of patients and families during their most critical times. Our inclusive work culture prioritises wellbeing and professional development, offering extensive benefits such as generous holiday entitlement, ongoing education opportunities, and a supportive environment that fosters team growth and innovation. Join us in Yeovil or Taunton, where you can lead transformative service development while enjoying a fulfilling career in palliative care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Assistant in Taunton
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at St Margarets Hospice and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Assistant in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at St Margarets Hospice that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at St Margarets Hospice.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at St Margarets Hospice get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Margarets Hospice
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at St Margarets Hospice and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
