Overview
Job Description: Chef/Cook
Location: The Lawns, Risdale Street Darlington
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time 30hrs per week
Salary: £14.05ph
Sponsorship: Not currently available
Join Highgate Care - Where Kindness Is Key
At Highgate Care, kindness isn’t just something we talk about, it’s the foundation of everything we do. As a small and compassionate care group, we pride ourselves on offering truly person-centred care, where every resident is valued, supported, and able to thrive. We believe in celebrating individuality, promoting dignity and above all, living by our core value: Kindness Is Key.
We’re currently looking for an Chef/Cook to join the team at The lawns in Darlington. If you’re someone who naturally brings warmth, energy and creativity wherever you go, and you love the idea of making each day meaningful for our residents, this could be the perfect role for you.
Responsibilities
* Plan, prepare and cook a variety of meals which are appealing, nutritious and centred around residents’ preferences, requests or any special dietary requirements, to follow Highgate Care Homes’ Good Food Guide and, where appropriate, make amendments after authorisation from Head Office.
* Be active and encouraging, provide advice and guidance for the team ensuring that Highgate is a friendly, supportive working environment.
* Supervise and conduct appraisals of the Kitchen Team.
* Interview applicants for vacancies within the Kitchen Team.
* Understand and comply with statutory and legal requirements such as HACCP, Health and Safety, COSHH, Environmental Health, ensuring a safe environment within the home.
* Implement, monitor and maintain cleaning schedules that meet the requirements of the Food Safety Manual, and ensure that all areas of the kitchen are immaculately clean, including washing up of pots, pans and dishes when required.
* Ensure sufficient food stocks are ordered and received from approved suppliers and that stock rotation is taking place to maintain optimum freshness of all foodstuff, ensuring the highest quality expected within Highgate Care Home.
* Be responsible for all kitchen equipment, ensuring it is in full, safe working order, reporting any damage or faults to the Handyman and Home Manager and following up any appropriate action.
* Be an active member of the Highgate team, contribute to team meetings, and assist the Home Manager with the selection, interviewing, induction and ongoing development of catering staff.
* Attend resident/relative meetings when appropriate and regularly monitor and assess resident satisfaction with the catering service, responding positively to ideas and feedback.
What We’re Looking For
* Warm, approachable, and brimming with positivity
* Organised, reliable, and confident in planning
* Creative, enthusiastic, and able to motivate others
* Passionate about improving the lives of older people
* Willing to participate in staff and resident meetings as required
* Previous experience in a care setting is a bonus, but we’re just as interested in your personality and values
What We Offer
* A friendly, supportive, and welcoming workplace
* Real opportunities for ongoing training and career progression
* A chance to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives every day
* A valued role within a close-knit team that cares as much about each other as we do our residents
If you believe that kindness and compassion should be at the heart of care, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of our team at The Lawns that makes each day brighter for our residents.
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