Chef/Cook in North East

Job Description: Chef

Location: Bowburn Manor - 61 North, Bowburn Way Integra, Durham

Job Type: Permanent, Full‑time, alternate weekends

Start Date: Mid October

Join Bowburn Manor – Make Every Day Matter

At Bowburn Manor, operated by St Mary’s Care Group, we believe great care is about more than meeting needs. It’s about creating an environment that helps people feel truly at home, living life to the fullest and enjoying new experiences. Our approach is rooted in dignity, respect and personalised care, placing residents’ wellbeing, independence and choices at the heart of everything we do.

Located in Durham, Bowburn Manor is a new 73‑bed care home supporting residents with residential, dementia and respite care. We know that it’s the small, meaningful moments that make a big difference to everyday life, helping residents and families feel supported.

We’re looking for a warm, enthusiastic Chef/Cook to bring colour and connection to life at our home in Leeds.

You’ll be joining a team where compassion and empowerment go hand in hand, and where every colleague plays a vital part in improving the quality of life for those we care for.

If you’re passionate about helping others live well and love the idea of making every day more meaningful, this could be the role for you.

What You’ll Be Doing

As our Chef/Cook, you’ll play a vital role in enriching the lives of residents by:

• Planning, preparing and cooking a variety of meals which are appealing, nutritious and centered around residents’ preferences, requests or any special dietary requirements, to follow St Mary’s Care Homes’ Good Food Guide and, where appropriate, make amendments after authorisation from Head Office.
• Being active and encouraging, providing advice and guidance for the team to ensure St Mary’s is a friendly, supportive working environment.
• Supervising and appraising the Kitchen Team.
• Interviewing applicants for vacancies within the Kitchen Team.
• Understanding and complying with statutory and legal requirements such as HACCP, Health and Safety, COSHH, Environmental Health, ensuring a safe environment within the home.
• Implementing, monitoring and maintaining cleaning schedules that meet the requirements of the Food Safety Manual, and ensuring that all areas of the kitchen are immaculately clean, including washing pots, pans and dishes when required.
• Ensuring sufficient food stocks are ordered and received from approved suppliers and that stock rotation is taking place to maintain optimum freshness of all foodstuff, ensuring the highest quality expected within St Mary’s Care Home.
• Managing all kitchen equipment to ensure it is in full, safe working order, reporting any damage or faults to the Handyman and Home Manager and following up on any appropriate action.
• Being an active member of the St Mary’s team, contributing to team meetings, and assisting the Home Manager with the selection, interviewing, induction and ongoing development of catering staff.
• Being understanding towards residents and their needs and attending resident/relative meetings. Regularly monitoring and assessing residents’ satisfaction with the catering service provided in their home, and responding positively to ideas and feedback.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who is:

• Warm, approachable, and brimming with positivity
• Organised, reliable, and confident in planning events and leading a team
• Creative, enthusiastic, and able to motivate others
• Passionate about improving the lives of older people
• Able to work flexibly across some evenings and weekends
• Previous experience in a care or activity setting is a bonus, but we’re just as interested in your personality and values

What We Offer

• A friendly, supportive, and welcoming workplace
• Real opportunities for ongoing training and career progression
• A chance to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives every day
• A valued role within a close‑knit team that cares as much about each other as we do our residents

If you believe that happiness and empathy should be at the heart of care, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help us make a real difference to the lives of residents.