Overview
We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic Cook/Chef to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals for our elderly residents. This is a rewarding role where your skills will directly contribute to the wellbeing of those in your care. Longlands Care home is situated in Daventry. We offer a happy and safe living environment in which our residents can enjoy an enhanced quality of life. Our team of friendly and committed staff provide the highest level of care and specialise in supporting people living with Dementia. With our great accommodation and facilities and a programme of activities, our care home aims to provide a home from home atmosphere in which our residents can feel comfortable, content and very well cared for.
What you will be doing
You’re not just preparing meals — you’re creating moments of comfort and joy for the people who live in our care home. A warm meal can brighten someone’s whole day, and you’ll be a big part of that. Working alongside our Senior Cook.
* Cooking daily meals
* Preparing and cooking breakfast, lunch and tea for residents in a 24-hour care home. Ensuring meals are tasty, nutritious and meet residents’ needs.
* Planning menus
* Designing menus that take into account different diets, allergies, health conditions, textures, and personal preferences.
* Ensuring safety and hygiene: keeping the kitchen clean and compliant, following food hygiene rules, completing risk assessments, and reporting any faults or hazards.
* Supporting residents: creating a positive mealtime experience, supporting staff at mealtimes, and ensuring residents are kept safe around kitchen areas.
Working hours and pattern
Working hours: 21 hours per week
Working time: 8:00am – 3:30pm (These hours are fixed and not flexible)
Rota
* Week 1 — Working 3 days between Monday and Friday
* Week 2 — Working 1 day between Monday and Friday, plus Saturday and Sunday
About you
At West Northamptonshire Council, we want colleagues who thrive. In this role, you’ll bring the skills, attitude, and values that help us deliver great care every day.
* Genuine commitment to preparing safe, nutritious meals that meet individual dietary, cultural, and medical needs
* Understanding of equal opportunities and respect for people’s behavioural, physical, social, and welfare needs
* Ability to work positively with colleagues and contribute to a supportive team environment
Experience and qualifications
* Experience of preparing and cooking meals, ideally in a care, day centre, or residential setting
* Good understanding of food hygiene and health & safety practices, including a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
* Strong time-management skills, with the ability to work to set mealtimes and deadlines
* Confidence in ordering supplies and managing stock within a small budget
Value & Innovate
* A practical, organised approach that helps keep the kitchen running efficiently and safely
* A willingness to learn, improve ways of working, and maintain high standards at all times
Compliance and additional information
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Children and Adults Barred List check. West Northamptonshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This role does not meet the legal requirements for visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. We cannot accept individuals on full-time sponsorship who are seeking this as a second job or as their main job.
About Us
At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people. Our vision is to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. We are committed to diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion, and we are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner. If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, please email careers@westnorthants.gov.uk for support. West Northants Council, where careers thrive.
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