About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Assistant Chef to join our Catering Services team. This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of high-quality meals for patients, staff and visitors while contributing to an excellent dining experience within a healthcare environment.
The Assistant Chef will assist with the preparation, cooking and presentation of a wide range of meals, including therapeutic and special diets, ensuring all food is produced to the highest standards of quality, nutrition and food safety. The post holder will play a key role in maintaining excellent hygiene standards, adhering to HACCP requirements and supporting the smooth day-to-day operation of the kitchen and associated catering areas.
The successful candidate will have a passion for food, excellent teamwork skills and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer service. You will be required to work flexibly across restaurant, patient feeding and hospitality services, whilst helping to minimise waste, promote sustainable practices and contribute to the continuous improvement of Catering Services.
This role offers the opportunity to make a positive difference to the experience of patients, staff and visitors through the provision of safe, nutritious and high-quality food within Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
No VISA sponsorship available for this role
Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.
Main duties of the job
The Assistant Chef is responsible for supporting the delivery of an efficient, high-quality catering service for patients, staff and visitors. The role involves preparing, cooking and presenting meals, including therapeutic and special diets, in accordance with agreed menus, recipes and food safety standards.
The post holder will contribute to the smooth day-to-day operation of the kitchen by maintaining high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety, completing required HACCP documentation and ensuring the safe use of catering equipment. The Assistant Chef will also support restaurant, hospitality and patient feeding services, helping to deliver a positive customer experience while maintaining effective stock control, minimising waste and promoting sustainable working practices.
The role requires a flexible and proactive approach, working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure catering services meet operational requirements and support the continuous improvement of service quality and efficiency across the Trust.
About us
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.
Job description Job responsibilities
For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.We look forward to your application.Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Good Level of general education incl, English and Maths GCSE Level 2 Food safety NVQ equivalent
Experience Essential
Experience working within a kitchen Experience of working within a team
Desirable
NHS Experience Experience working in Catering or retail
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address Basildon
Nethermayne
Basildon
SS16 5NY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)