Job Summary
We are seeking a skilled and passionate Head Cook to lead our catering team in delivering exceptional culinary experiences. The Head Cook will be responsible for overseeing meal preparation, ensuring food safety standards are met, and maintaining a well-organised kitchen environment. This role is ideal for someone with a strong culinary background who thrives in a fast-paced setting.
This position will involve working 28 hours per week over 4 days. Shifts to include a combination of cooking shifts, and "floating" shifts to oversee and lead the team.
Duties
- To prepare menus for the home taking into account the content, balance, colour and nutritional values, in-line with agreed budget.
- To consult with residents on a regular basis to ensure that their needs and choices are being met.
- To control systems of food allocation to minimise wastage.
- To complete monthly audits for the kitchen, reporting any finding to home manager
- To ensure that all kitchen staff are trained within the requirements of current legislation.
- To ensure that all kitchen staff are issued with the correct uniform and that this is maintained in good repair and in a clean hygienic condition.
- To ensure that the cleaning schedules issued by the management are strictly adhered to.
- To ensure that all kitchen areas are left in clean hygienic state at the end of each shift.
- To maintain all kitchen equipment, as specified by the respective manufacturers and to report any malfunctions to the Management.
- To take part in staff meetings when necessary.
- To undergo further training or updating as required.
- To inform and teach other kitchen staff of any updating in legislation as and when necessary.
- To maintain confidentiality regarding all aspects of care and management of the home.
- To perform any other such reasonable duties as may be required.
- To be aware of the Residents dietary needs and preferences.
- To discuss the with Nurse in charge special dietary needs and incorporate these into the daily menus.
- To operate the kitchen and supervise the kitchen team.
- To ensure that the Kitchen areas are cleaned and maintained to a high standard.
- To ensure that all kitchen staff actively contribute to the quality of nutrition in the home.
- To order and maintain stock whilst keeping the cost of cooking within guidelines set by Management.
Skills
- Proven experience in a kitchen environment as a cook or chef.
- Strong knowledge of meal preparation techniques and food safety practices.
- Knowledge of texture modification & IDDSI framework.
- Ability to implement and supervise all aspects of kitchen control e.g. menus, hygiene, health and safety, staff, cleaning and waste control.
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.
- Strong leadership skills with the capability to motivate and support team members.
- Good organisational skills to manage multiple tasks effectively.
- A passion for cooking and helping others develop their culinary skills.
A Level 2 qualification (Professional Cooking) is a minimum requirement for this role. A Food Hygiene Level 2/ 3 qualification, or greater will also be required. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 1 years' experience of working as a cook within a care home setting.
Job Type: Permanent
Pay: £16.48 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 28 per week
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free flu jabs
Schedule:
- Day shift
Work Location: In person
