Chef

Part-time Chef (Weekend Shift)

Salary: £9,762.81 per annum
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 8:00am–2:00pm
Location: Wootton, Bedford 
Contract: Permanent

Are you a chef who enjoys preparing fresh, nutritious food and providing a great service to customers? This is an excellent weekend opportunity to join a welcoming community environment where your skills can make a real difference to residents' everyday experience.

Working alongside the Catering Manager, you’ll help deliver a varied and enjoyable food service while ensuring meals meet individual dietary, nutritional and cultural requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and serve fresh, nutritious meals to residents, visitors and guests.
• Support the development of varied menus that reflect seasonal ingredients and residents' preferences.
• Ensure food is prepared and served on time and to a consistently high standard.
• Assist with food ordering, stock management and cost control.
• Monitor deliveries and ensure all products meet required quality standards.
• Maintain accurate stock records, complete regular stock checks and minimise food waste.
• Support and encourage other kitchen colleagues to maintain high standards.
• Listen to resident feedback and contribute ideas to improve the catering service.
• Maintain excellent standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and kitchen safety.
• Follow HACCP, COSHH, health and safety and other relevant procedures.
• Complete appropriate food safety, hygiene and risk assessment documentation.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is used correctly and report any maintenance requirements.
• Deliver a friendly, professional and customer-focused service.
• Recognise and appropriately report any safeguarding concerns.

About You:

• We’re looking for a confident and enthusiastic chef who takes pride in producing quality food and creating a positive dining experience.
• You’ll be organised, reliable and comfortable working independently while also contributing to the wider kitchen team.
• Previous experience working within a professional catering or kitchen environment.
• A passion for food and delivering excellent customer service.
• Good knowledge of kitchen operations and catering equipment.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to manage your own workload and use your initiative.
• Experience with food purchasing, stock control and minimising waste.
• A good understanding of food hygiene and health and safety requirements.
• Experience preparing menus that accommodate dietary, cultural and nutritional requirements.
• A recognised Food Hygiene qualification or equivalent.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience working within retirement living, extra care, care homes or a similar setting.
• Experience providing catering for events or functions.
• City & Guilds 706-3, NVQ or an equivalent professional cookery qualification.
• Intermediate or Advanced Food Hygiene certification.

Benefits:

• Annual leave entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Employee wellbeing support
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to additional savings and wellbeing benefits

Please note: Appointment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references and any required DBS screening.