Chef – Patient and Retail Catering Food Production
Job Ref: 193-7355244COR
Band 2 – Permanent – Full time (37.5 h/week) – Salary £24,465 per annum – Working at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading.
Job Overview
We need a dedicated chef to support high‑volume patient and staff meal production, operating within a regulated NHS kitchen. The role includes preparing meals from recipes, maintaining hygiene, and supporting the catering team.
Main Responsibilities
* Preparing and cooking patients and restaurant food as per recipe.
* Cooking and preparing elements of high‑quality and diet‑specific dishes.
* Keeping up with industry trends and helping to create new recipes.
* Maintaining a clean, safe kitchen and ensuring sanitation practices.
* Assisting other chefs.
* Helping with deliveries and restocking.
* Assisting with stock rotation.
* Cleaning stations.
* Contributing to maintaining kitchen and food safety standards.
Detailed Responsibilities
* Communicating food service requirements to staff, patients and the public.
* Organising day‑to‑day work tasks with the assistant head chef.
* Providing information on recipes and waste management.
* Operating kitchen equipment correctly.
* Adhering to standard recipes and production planning while using provisions economically.
* Supervising food service, ensuring portion control and presentation.
Person Specification
* Essential Education/Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Cookery or City and Guilds equivalent; basic food hygiene certification.
* Essential Experience: Proven ability to cook from start to finish with fresh ingredients; experience working in a team environment.
* Desirable Experience/Qualifications: Higher level food safety qualification; experience working as a chef or cook in a catering or NHS establishment.
* Knowledge: Delivery of specialist diets.
Benefits
* Flexible working opportunities.
* Annual leave – 27 days for new starters, increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years NHS service (pro‑rata for part‑time).
* NHS pension scheme.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Money Advice Service.
* Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave (eligible staff).
* On‑site nursery.
* Full educational library services.
* Cycle to work scheme, lockable storage for cycles.
* Bus to work scheme.
* Excellent rail and bus links.
* Wide range of Health Service discounts.
We are an approved sponsor; sponsorship eligibility may vary by role.
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