Here at Rainbows Hospice, our Catering Team take pride in providing fresh ‘home-cooked’ meals tailored to the children, young people, and families staying or visiting, ensuring they receive nutritious and comforting meals during their time with us. Our team also serves delicious and wholesome meals to our dedicated staff members and visitors onsite, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone. We understand the importance of mealtime in fostering a sense of home and care at a high standard, which is why we prioritise the use of fresh ingredients and consider individual dietary needs, cultural preferences, and special dietary requirements.
We are currently seeking a passionate and experienced Chef to join our dedicated Catering Team, helping us maintain and elevate our high standards of service. As a Chef at Rainbows Hospice, you will play a crucial role in crafting nutritious and comforting ‘home-cooked’ meals for the children, young people, and families we support, as well as for our dedicated staff members and visitors.
Your expertise will be essential in ensuring that each meal is prepared with the utmost care, reflecting the diverse dietary needs and cultural preferences of our community. By joining our team, you will be contributing to the nurturing environment we strive to create, where every meal serves as a source of comfort and joy. If you are committed to culinary excellence and have a genuine passion for making a positive impact through your cooking, we would love to hear from you.
This role is based at the Hospice in Loughborough. No need for Travel.
Hours of work
This role will be 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week. Weekend work is required every other weekend on a rota basis (2 days off in the week if worked a weekend).
About the role
To assist in the day to day catering facility at Rainbows Hospice, ensuring the highest quality food preparation and provision for the organisation, which is cost effective, and meets the individual dietary needs and requests of the children, young people and families, staff volunteers and visitors.
Some of the key responsibilities include (but not limited to):
• To ensure that a comprehensive menu for families, children and staff is prepared reflecting the flexibility and sensitivity that may be required.
• To liaise with the Care Team staff and parents and young people regarding special diets, considering the dietary, cultural or religious needs and preferences of the children, young people and families staying at the hospice.
• To maintain the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) management system in place, with ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance and standards are maintained.
• To maintain all kitchen equipment in a clean and safe manner, reporting any incidents to the Catering Manager/Head of Estates & Facilities.
• To be responsible for advance preparation of menus and food to cover annual leave/days off and sickness, and arrange suitable cover with other dept. team members, agency chef and/or care team staff as necessary.
• Further responsibilities in the role of a Chef at Rainbows, can be found by downloading the Job Description.
Essential Requirements
• NVQ Level 2 in Food Safety & Hygiene.
• Experience of managing a kitchen.
• Understanding of Food Safety Regulations.
• Ability to prepare fresh meals from scratch with fresh ingredients.
• Evidence of knowledge of catering for special diets.
Desirable Requirements
• NVQ Level 3 in Food Safety & Hygiene or working towards this qualification.
• Experience of catering for events.
• Evidence of knowledge of allergies and intolerances.
• High standard of knowledge in desserts and cakes.
• Working knowledge of HACCAP, COSHH & Health and Safety regulations
• Knowledge of dietary intake for patients at end of life, or very serious illness.
Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification.
Our Benefits include:
• Free onsite parking at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
• Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme.
• Bupa Cashback plan.
• Life Assurance.
• 27 days holiday.
• Plus bank holiday allowance but expectation to work bank holidays in this role.
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to occupational health.
• Contributory pension scheme or salary sacrifice pension scheme.
• Affordable meals at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
For further information about this role and the responsibilities please contact Lisa Stout, Catering Manager, on lisa.stout@rainbows.co.uk
If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the people team at recruitment@rainbows.co.uk
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and barring Service Check) and pre-employment checks.