Head Cook

at  The Abbeyfield Society

Role: Head Cook
Location: Malmesbury
Contract: 32 hours p/w to include alternate weekends
Pay rate: £11.78
The Abbeyfield Society are a national charity helping to alleviate loneliness and isolation in older people by providing companionship in our supported housing accommodation, retirement apartments and care homes.
This is a brilliant opportunity for people who would be interested in supporting our restaurant, covering staff holidays and sickness. Our restaurant, situated in our Independent Living service offers delicious breakfast options, light lunches and snacks to our residents, visitors and the wider local community.

• You’ll create healthy balanced meals, with choices which reflect the needs and dietary preferences of residents and external customers.
• You will help develop awareness of the restaurant within the community, offering meals at a low cost and the social benefits that can bring.
• You’ll also ensure a safe and sufficient supply of catering products, by developing a system of ordering supplies in a timely manner. And to ensure good stock control, you’ll make sure catering orders and deliveries are recorded using documentation supplied, to enable all orders to be checked and audited.
• Maintenance of a system of effective stock rotation and control is paramount, and by doing so, you will manage catering costs within the agreed catering budget.
• You will also ensure safe and proper use of catering equipment, and report any defects to management. It is also important that you adhere to kitchen cleaning procedures and schedules in accordance with Environmental Health standards, and keep the kitchen and store areas in a clean and hygienic condition.
• Correct use of all equipment and products in line with COSHH requirements is key, as is the need to keep all COSHH assessments under review. You will also participate in and supervise the completion of all relevant records in relation to food safety.

About You

• As a Cook, you’ll have a relevant Certificate in Food Hygiene, and a track record of demonstrable experience of cooking varied, healthy and safe meals to large groups on a regular basis. Experience of working in a Cafe setting is desirable.
• Able to lead and support the kitchen staff team, you’ll also train and develop the to get the best out of each individual.
• You’ll also be able to manage resources, planning rotas in advance to ensure continuity of the catering service.
• Be methodical and highly organised; your kitchen and equipment will be kept clean and tidy, with an effective method of stock rotation.