Assistant Cook

Assistant Cook

As Assistant Cook you prepare balanced and nutritious meals for patients, their relatives, visitors and staff in a controlled, hygienic environment. You support the team to meet specific nutritional requirements and dietary needs, manage food allocation systems to minimise waste, and maintain a clean and safe kitchen following HACCP and infection control standards.

• Prepare and cook food in a hygienic manner, ensuring menus meet individual dietary needs and preferences.
• Maintain a controlled, hygienic kitchen environment and support cleaning routines.
• Manage food resources, using perishable goods within prescribed periods and reducing waste.
• Collaborate within the kitchen rota, demonstrating professionalism, compassion and enthusiasm.
• Promote a safe working environment through awareness of health and safety legislation and timely incident reporting.
• Engage in continuous self‑development, completing mandatory training and identifying further learning needs.
• Adhere to all human‑resources policies, including supervision, performance appraisals and sickness absence reporting.
• Cater to the hospice’s infection control and safeguarding policies, ensuring efficient use of resources and reporting incidents or concerns.
• Be prepared for additional duties that align with the role’s key responsibilities.

• Level 1 or 2 in Food Hygiene / Safety.
• Experience working in a kitchen environment.
• Experience directing volunteers.
• Experience ordering and monitoring stock.

• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage own time and workload effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork ability.
• Initiative and good organisational skills.
• Enthusiastic about personal development.
• Empathy for bereaved relatives and families.
• Understanding of a busy kitchen environment.

• Uphold the core values of the hospice (Compassion, Accessibility, Respect, Excellence).
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Strong time‑management and organisational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.

The role requires weekend and bank holiday working in accordance with the rota.

Role:
Assistant Cook

Hours:

20 hours per week

Contract:

Fixed Term for 3 months
Salary: £13,206 per annum (pro rata of £24,431)
Closing date: 11/03/2026

Please submit an up‑to‑date CV together with a supporting statement that sets out how you meet the criteria for the role to .

• 35 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Free car parking.
• Subsidised lunches.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Shopping, leisure and holiday discounts.
• On‑demand GP service.
• Westfield Health – Health Cash Plan.
• Life Assurance.
• Wellbeing initiatives and employee assistance programme.

The hospice provides annual performance appraisals, encouragement for self‑directed learning, and opportunities for formal education and training.

We offer employee assistance programmes, wellbeing resources, and flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work‑life balance.
Employees receive an annual incremental rise within their pay scale and enhanced maternity and adoption benefits.