Cook in Lewes

Do you have a passion for cooking well‑balanced, nutritious meals and want to use your skills in a role that truly makes a difference – without working late evenings? Join our caring Catering team, where your experience and dedication will directly support patients and their loved ones. At St Peter & St James Hospice, you will play an important role in delivering a high‑quality catering service, ensuring patients, families, staff and volunteers enjoy nutritious meals in a warm and supportive environment.

Job Details:

• Location: St Peter & St James Hospice, BN8 4ED
• Salary: £21,197 - £21,611 per annum (£26,496 - £27,014 per annum, full-time equivalent)
• Working Hours: Part‑time, 30 hours per week, worked over 4 days
• Shifts: 8am–4pm and 11am–7pm, Monday to Sunday (ability to work regular Wednesdays is desirable)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed as they are received – early applications are encouraged

What you’ll be doing:

• Cooking and preparing fresh, nutritious meals to order for patients and their loved ones, Living Well Centre attendees, visitors and staff.
• Supporting the catering of internal events and fundraising functions.
• Ensuring dietary requirements, preferences, and religious and cultural needs are met.
• Maintaining high standards of food quality, hygiene and customer service at all times.

What We’re Looking For:

• Relevant experience: Previous catering experience is essential. Experience in healthcare, hospice or charity settings is desirable but not required.
• Qualifications: Food hygiene certification is desirable; training can be provided if needed.
• Key skills: Good communication skills, a positive and professional approach, and the ability to work flexibly to meet patient needs. You should be organised, reliable, and comfortable working as part of a supportive team.

If you are committed, creative, and passionate about using your cooking skills to support outstanding care, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to join our compassionate team and help us make a meaningful difference through every meal we serve.

Please find the full job description and person specification at the bottom of the page.

If you have any questions about the role, or require any additional support or reasonable adjustments, please contact Nicky Brown, Catering Manager by emailing nbrown@stpjhospice.org.

The Organisation St Peter & St James Hospice is a leading provider of specialist palliative and end of life care for our Mid-Sussex community. People affected by life-limiting illness are central to everything we do and it is our mission to ensure they receive the best possible care, in the right place, at the right time. Our services are free of charge and can be accessed at home, in a care setting, or at the Hospice in North Chailey.

We achieve our goals through the organisation’s talented people, by attracting, retaining and developing a highly skilled, diverse and engaged workforce. Over 150 employees and 400 volunteers work in a variety of roles across our Clinical Services, Retail and Support Functions.

If you're looking to put your skills to use in an organisation that makes a difference for its local community and values Compassion, Integrity, Accountability, Excellence and Inclusivity then click 'Apply Now'!

The Benefits:

• 27 days holiday
• Company sick pay scheme
• Enhanced maternity/adoption pay
• Monthly occupational health clinics
• Leadership development programme
• 20% discount in our charity shops

Our people are our strength. We value diversity and inclusion so encourage applications from everyone, regardless of race, national origin, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability or age.

Please ensure you have your own means of transport as the hospice is not accessible by bus and is located on a main road without public footpath.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please contact us on hr@stpjhospice.org.

Please note we may shortlist and interview candidates as applications are received. Offers of employment are subject to satisfactory results from pre-employment checks (right to work, references, Occupational Health, and DBS if applicable).