Outstanding Care, Outstanding Careers
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Job overview
The Catering Department at Dorset County Hospital is seeking a chef to join our team in the kitchen and deliver excellent service to patients, Staff, and Visitors. We pride ourselves on the high standards of our kitchens and food and hope you will be a key member of our growing team. We are looking for a chef who wants to use their skills and passion for food to help people and work in a supportive and dynamic environment.
The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced kitchen environment, demonstrating a natural flair and passion for consistently delivering high-quality food. Flexibility is key, as you'll be part of a team working evenings, weekdays, and weekends to ensure our customers enjoy exceptional dining experiences.
Disclaimer: As a Bank Worker, the nature of your engagement will be seen as on a day-to-day basis. You are entitled to choose whether to accept engagements which will be offered to you. A statement does not constitute a contract of employment, nor is the Trust under any obligation to offer you any engagement or further engagement under these terms. The job description for this Bank role relates to the equivalent substantive position. Whilst engaged by the Trust you would be expected to operate within the requirements of the job description.
Main duties of the job
As a Chef in the Catering Department, you will play a vital role in delivering high-quality, nutritious meals to patients, staff, and visitors while upholding strict food safety and hygiene standards.
Working as part of a dedicated team, you will prepare and present meals in line with dietary requirements and hospital protocols. You will oversee food preparation, hygiene, and safety across all catering areas, ensuring compliance with regulations and best practices.
Key Responsibilities:
Food Preparation & Cooking: Prepare and cook meals following hospital menus, ensuring quality, taste, and presentation.
Menu Planning: Assist in developing seasonal menus tailored to patient dietary needs, balancing nutrition, taste, and budget.
Stock Management: Manage food supplies, ordering, storing, and rotating stock to minimise waste.
Food Safety & Hygiene: Maintain compliance with food safety regulations (HACCP) and ensure kitchen cleanliness.
Team Leadership: Mentor junior kitchen staff, providing training and support.
Meal Service Coordination: Work with the catering team to ensure timely meal delivery while maintaining quality.
Collaboration with Healthcare Staff: Partner with dietitians and nutritionists to meet patient dietary needs.
Customer Service: Ensure a positive dining experience, addressing special requests professionally.
This role is essential to delivering safe, nutritious meals and supporting patient care.
Working for our organisation
At Dorset County Hospital, we are looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join our dynamic catering team during an exciting period of transformation. As a valued team member, you will play a key role in driving change and ensuring the delivery of high-quality meals to our patients, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Our catering team is small yet incredibly supportive. We rely on each other to succeed, especially when working under pressure. As part of this team, you'll be encouraged to lead by example, motivating and inspiring your colleagues to deliver their best daily work.
The Trust is committed to supporting the development and success of every team member. We offer comprehensive support systems to help you reach your career goals, including guidance from HR, the Staff Union, and various well-being initiatives such as Vivup and Steps to Wellbeing.
Within the catering department, you'll find a diverse and welcoming group of individuals who treat each other like family. Our team thrives on collaboration, and we celebrate the unique qualities that each member brings to the table. We believe in positive encouragement, providing ample opportunities for personal growth and professional advancement to those who show dedication and commitment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will prepare freshly made dishes daily, and there will be many opportunities for career progression, training, and ongoing creative input. We have a large department, and work as part of a team reporting to the Hospitals' Facilities management team. The successful candidate will be expected to guide and support our Catering Assistants to ensure the smooth operation of the catering department.
Please see the attached job description for full details on the main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
* Dietary and Nutritional Knowledge: Understanding of hospital dietary guidelines and medical conditions affecting diet, such as diabetes, renal issues, or cardiovascular diseases. Awareness of allergen management and special diets (e.g., gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan).
* Food Safety and Regulatory Standards: Familiarity with food safety laws and certifications (e.g., Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2 or 3). Knowledge of safe equipment usage and kitchen sanitation practices.
* Catering in Large-Scale Environments: Experience in cooking for large groups, ideally in healthcare, schools, or other institutional settings. 3 years in industry or 2 years college
* Inventory and Stock Management: Ability to manage kitchen supplies efficiently, minimizing waste while ensuring availability of key ingredients.
* Technical Expertise: Knowledge of operating commercial kitchen equipment like steamers, ovens, and food processors.
* Hospital/Healthcare Experience: Familiarity with healthcare environments or working alongside medical staff is a strong advantage
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
* NVQ Level 2
* Food Safety Level 3
* Advanced Food Hygiene
Desirable criteria
* NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
* Culinary Skills: Proficiency in preparing a variety of dishes, including specialized dietary meals such as low-sodium, diabetic, and allergen-free options. Knowledge of portion control, plating standards, and food presentation.
* Menu Planning: Ability to create diverse menus that meet nutritional requirements and cater to specific patient needs
* Time Management: Ability to work efficiently under pressure in a high-demand environment. Capacity to manage multiple tasks and deliver meals within strict timeframes
* Food Safety and Hygiene: Adherence to HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles and hospital-specific hygiene standards. Proper handling, storage, and preparation of food to minimize contamination risks.
* Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication with dietitians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. A patient-focused attitude, ensuring meals meet both nutritional and individual preferences.
* Problem-Solving: Quick thinking to address last-minute changes to dietary requirements or supply issues.
* Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with kitchen staff, assistants, and other hospital teams
Our Mission
Outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them.
Our Vision
Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.
Our Values
Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, Excellence
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
For more information, please use the link below to read our joint strategy for Dorset County Hospital and Dorset Healthcare.
Trust Strategy | Dorset County Hospital (dchft.nhs.uk)
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Please read the job description and person specification carefully to ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.
The closing date/interview date is subject to amendment; this vacancy may therefore expire at short notice, so we recommend that you submit an application at your earliest convenience. We reserve the right to close any vacancies without notice.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email; therefore it is important that you check your personal email account regularly.
Unfortunately we are unable to respond to every application; if we do not contact you within 4 weeks of the closing date, please be advised that you not have been shortlisted on this occasion.
You can contact us on 01305 254655 to find out whether you have been shortlisted or if you would like feedback.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
* Chef JD 2025 Updated (PDF, 720.4KB)
* Car Parking Information for Employees (PDF, 225.0KB)
* DBS Code of Practice (PDF, 54.9KB)
* Dorset Map (PDF, 59.3KB)
* Guidance regarding Disabled Staff (PDF, 96.3KB)
* Advice for Candidates (PDF, 110.5KB)
* Trust Values (PDF, 678.1KB)
* The NHS Constitution (PDF, 568.7KB)