Head Cook in Brompton

Pembroke House is a purpose‑built care home for veterans of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines in Gillingham. We have been serving Royal Navy and Royal Marines veterans and their dependants for over 70 years. Our residents and staff enjoy a varied yet familiar way of life to encourage independence and give each day meaning and purpose. The home has a ‘family‑run’ feel and we have carefully created a supportive, friendly and close‑knit team, making it a unique and very special place to work.

We are looking to appoint a Head Cook to join our experienced kitchen team on a permanent basis. Working 40 hours a week your time will be spent between management and coordination of the kitchen department and cooking responsibilities in the kitchen. The post holder will be responsible for managing and supporting our kitchen team to coordinate, design and deliver nutritious, balanced meals that meet the needs and choices of our residents.

Responsibilities

• To coordinate all aspects of kitchen production so that food is prepared to the agreed standard and that time deadlines are met.
• To implement and supervise all aspects of kitchen control e.g. menus, hygiene, health and safety, staff, cleaning and waste control.
• To supervise and develop staff training.
• To attend statutory training.
• To order catering consumables from nominated suppliers.
• To maintain computerised stock accounting.
• To prepare menus for the Home taking into account the content, balance, colour and nutritional values.
• To prepare special diets for Service Users as directed by the nursing staff.
• To maintain the agreed stock levels of food.
• To implement, record and maintain an agreed cleaning schedule for the kitchen.
• To carry out stock takes at the end of each month as directed by the Home Manager.
• To organise and control kitchen working hours.
• To work within agreed budget guidelines on staff costs and consumables and co‑operate in any action necessary so as to keep to budget.
• To account for food supplied to staff.
• To maintain HACCP records.
• To provide documented evidence as required by the Home Manager.
• To produce duty rotas for catering staff, ensuring the skill mix reflects the requirements.
• Ensure a sound knowledge of IDDSI and how to implement this into the meals being offered.
• Keep accurate records of residents who are being cared for with the IDDSI framework and ensuring that every meal meets this criterion.
• Collaborate with staff on the floors to ensure that information is up to date and preferences and changes to medical care where catering is concerned are accurate.
• Ensure equipment supplied is used with care, in accordance with suppliers’ instructions and training.
• Ensure all equipment is in good working order and report any faults immediately.
• If any machine is felt to be dangerous, withdraw it from service immediately.
• Ensure that allergy information remains up to date and the food delivered reflects these.
• Lead the shift ensuring that good leadership and management techniques are employed when directing staff.
• Demonstrate empathy and compassion towards residents, especially dietary needs or restrictions, and ensuring that their dining experience is enjoyable and dignified.

Qualifications

• Level 3 in food safety and hygiene.
• Qualified to a minimum NVQ 3 level in a catering or cooking discipline.
• Supervisory/management experience.
• Experience of cooking and catering for 50+ persons.
• Knowledge of stock control and budget accountability.
• Well organised with high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.
• Computer literate.

Benefits

• Medicash Health Plan
• 6 weeks per annum pro‑rated holiday
• 7% employer contribution pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free on‑site parking
• Eligible for blue light card

IMPORTANT: Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position. As an Armed Forces Covenant signatory and Silver ERS accredited employer we are committed to supporting the Armed Forces community and recognising the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and military families bring to our organisation. We welcome applications from all members of the Armed Forces community and are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer. A full job description is available on request.