Job summary
Are you a passionate cook with a heart for making a difference? Rotherham Hospice
invites you to bring your culinary talents to our renowned cafe, where your skills will do
more than tantalize taste buds they'll touch hearts. As part of our dedicated team, you'll
have the unique opportunity to contribute to the well-being of patients and their loved
ones through the comforting power of exceptional food.
Our cafe is not just a culinary haven; it's a place where compassion and cuisine converge.
As a Cook at Rotherham Hospice, you'll play a pivotal role in creating a warm and inviting
atmosphere, providing not only delicious meals but also moments of respite and
connection. Your culinary creations will be more than sustenance; they'll be a source of
comfort, joy, and nourishment for those going through challenging times.
If you're ready to infuse your passion for cooking into a role that goes beyond the kitchen,
we invite you to apply and become a key ingredient in the extraordinary care and
compassion we provide at Rotherham Hospice. Together, we can make every meal a
meaningful moment for those we serve.
Main duties of the job
Create diverse and nutritious menus that cater to the dietary needs and preferences of
patients, families, and staff.
Execute the preparation of high-quality meals, considering dietary restrictions and
therapeutic diets as required for hospice patients.
Apply a variety of cooking techniques to ensure the flavours and nutritional content of
each dish are optimised while maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene.
Accommodate special dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and
other specific requirements, ensuring inclusivity for all service users / customers.
Infuse creativity into menu items, transforming each meal into a delightful and
comforting experience for patients and their loved ones.
Maintain rigorous quality control measures to guarantee consistency and excellence in
the taste, presentation, and nutritional value of all dishes served.
Keep the kitchen well-organised, ensuring a clean and efficient workspace that
complies with health and safety regulations.
About us
At Rotherham Hospice, we provide exceptional care for all those affected by terminal
illness and are the only adult hospice in Rotherham for the people of Rotherham and
surrounding villages.
We began offering Day Hospice services in 1994, and have grown over the years to now
provide a 14 bed Inpatient Unit alongside our Hospice Community Team who provide care
in the community. Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers work together to provide
palliative care that incorporates psychological, physical, social and spiritual support to help
patients and their families achieve the very best quality of life, both at home and in the
Hospice.
We believe in making a meaningful difference to the lives of patients and their families. As
a member of our dedicated team, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to a
community of care that goes beyond the ordinary. We value innovation, teamwork, and a
commitment to excellence in all that we do. Join us in creating a compassionate and
supportive environment where every team member plays a vital role in enhancing the
quality of life for those we serve.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Create diverse and nutritious menus that cater to the dietary needs and preferences of
patients, families, and staff.
- Execute the preparation of high-quality meals, considering dietary restrictions and
therapeutic diets as required for hospice patients.
- Apply a variety of cooking techniques to ensure the flavours and nutritional content of
each dish are optimised while maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene.
- Accommodate special dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and
other specific requirements, ensuring inclusivity for all service users / customers.
- Infuse creativity into menu items, transforming each meal into a delightful and
comforting experience for patients and their loved ones.
- Maintain rigorous quality control measures to guarantee consistency and excellence in
the taste, presentation, and nutritional value of all dishes served.
- Keep the kitchen well-organised, ensuring a clean and efficient workspace that
complies with health and safety regulations.
- Monitor and manage inventory levels, ordering ingredients and supplies as needed to
minimise waste and ensure freshness.
- Work collaboratively with wider cafe staff, to coordinate meal service and provide a
seamless dining experience.
- Engage with cafe service users / customers, demonstrating a hospitable and
empathetic approach while addressing their needs and preferences with respect and
professionalism.
- Adhere to all relevant food safety and hygiene regulations, ensuring the highest
standards of cleanliness and compliance with health department requirements.
- Stay informed about culinary trends, attend relevant training, and contribute to the
continuous improvement of the cafe team through knowledge-sharing and skill
development.
- Foster a supportive and comforting atmosphere within the cafe, recognising the role
that food plays in enhancing the overall hospice experience for patients and their
families.
- Demonstrate flexibility in adapting menus to address dietary requirements, seasonal
change, and the evolving needs of the hospice community.
- To train and support our catering assistants and volunteers to ensure they are
equipped and confident within their roles.
- Till and cash management in line with hospice policies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Create diverse and nutritious menus that cater to the dietary needs and preferences of
patients, families, and staff.
- Execute the preparation of high-quality meals, considering dietary restrictions and
therapeutic diets as required for hospice patients.
- Apply a variety of cooking techniques to ensure the flavours and nutritional content of
each dish are optimised while maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene.
- Accommodate special dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and
other specific requirements, ensuring inclusivity for all service users / customers.
- Infuse creativity into menu items, transforming each meal into a delightful and
comforting experience for patients and their loved ones.
- Maintain rigorous quality control measures to guarantee consistency and excellence in
the taste, presentation, and nutritional value of all dishes served.
- Keep the kitchen well-organised, ensuring a clean and efficient workspace that
complies with health and safety regulations.
- Monitor and manage inventory levels, ordering ingredients and supplies as needed to
minimise waste and ensure freshness.
- Work collaboratively with wider cafe staff, to coordinate meal service and provide a
seamless dining experience.
- Engage with cafe service users / customers, demonstrating a hospitable and
empathetic approach while addressing their needs and preferences with respect and
professionalism.
- Adhere to all relevant food safety and hygiene regulations, ensuring the highest
standards of cleanliness and compliance with health department requirements.
- Stay informed about culinary trends, attend relevant training, and contribute to the
continuous improvement of the cafe team through knowledge-sharing and skill
development.
- Foster a supportive and comforting atmosphere within the cafe, recognising the role
that food plays in enhancing the overall hospice experience for patients and their
families.
- Demonstrate flexibility in adapting menus to address dietary requirements, seasonal
change, and the evolving needs of the hospice community.
- To train and support our catering assistants and volunteers to ensure they are
equipped and confident within their roles.
- Till and cash management in line with hospice policies.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- At least two years experience in a similar role.
- Formal education in culinary arts or a related field,
- demonstrating a strong foundation in cooking
- techniques, food safety, and nutrition.
- Proven experience in planning and developing menus
- that cater to a diverse range of dietary requirements,
- including therapeutic diets.
- Successful track record of accommodating various
- dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, glutenfree, and others, while maintaining flavour and
- nutritional balance.
- Proficient in a variety of cooking techniques,
- demonstrating the ability to prepare high-quality meals
- that are visually appealing and nutritionally sound.
- Experience implementing and maintaining rigorous
- quality control measures to ensure consistency and
- excellence in taste, presentation, and nutritional value.
- Thorough understanding and experience working to
- health and safety regulations in a commercial kitchen
- setting, including proper sanitation and hygiene
- practices.
- Experience in customer-facing roles, displaying
- excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact
- with cafe patrons in a hospitable and compassionate
- manner.
- Experience coordinating meal services to provide
- seamless dining experiences.
Desirable
- Previous experience working in a healthcare or hospice
- environment, understanding the unique dietary needs
- and considerations for patients.
- Previous experience managing and supporting volunteers.
Skills / Abilities
Essential
- Ability to bring creativity to the kitchen, experimenting
- with flavours, textures, and presentation to elevate the
- dining experience.
- Skill in developing menus that balance nutrition, flavour,
- and variety, taking into consideration the diverse needs of
- patients and cafe patrons.
- Excellent time management skills to handle multiple tasks
- efficiently and ensure timely preparation and service of
- meals.
- Strong problem-solving skills to address unexpected
- challenges in the kitchen and find creative solutions.
- Clear and effective communication skills to coordinate with
- kitchen staff, and other team members, ensuring a smooth
- operation in the kitchen.
- Customer service orientation with the ability to interact
- positively with cafe patrons, addressing their needs and
- preferences with a friendly and hospitable demeanour
Desirable
- Proficiency in a foreign language.
- Advanced pastry skills.
- Skills in social media for the promotion of the cafe's
- culinary offerings.
- Expertise in large-scale event catering.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to handle high-stress situations calmly and
- efficiently, maintaining composure during peak dining
- hours or unexpected changes.
- Continuous pursuit of culinary knowledge, staying
- informed about food trends, techniques, and innovations in
- the culinary world.
- A self-starter who uses own initiative.
- Committed to continuous improvement of services.
- A team player with a flexible approach.
- Commitment to equal opportunities.
- Professional, pleasant and friendly demeanour.
- Sensitive and empathetic to patient/carer needs.
- Ability to respond in a calm manner.
- Approachable, confident, compassionate.
Desirable
- A full UK Driving licence.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- At least two years experience in a similar role.
- Formal education in culinary arts or a related field,
- demonstrating a strong foundation in cooking
- techniques, food safety, and nutrition.
- Proven experience in planning and developing menus
- that cater to a diverse range of dietary requirements,
- including therapeutic diets.
- Successful track record of accommodating various
- dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, glutenfree, and others, while maintaining flavour and
- nutritional balance.
- Proficient in a variety of cooking techniques,
- demonstrating the ability to prepare high-quality meals
- that are visually appealing and nutritionally sound.
- Experience implementing and maintaining rigorous
- quality control measures to ensure consistency and
- excellence in taste, presentation, and nutritional value.
- Thorough understanding and experience working to
- health and safety regulations in a commercial kitchen
- setting, including proper sanitation and hygiene
- practices.
- Experience in customer-facing roles, displaying
- excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact
- with cafe patrons in a hospitable and compassionate
- manner.
- Experience coordinating meal services to provide
- seamless dining experiences.
Desirable
- Previous experience working in a healthcare or hospice
- environment, understanding the unique dietary needs
- and considerations for patients.
- Previous experience managing and supporting volunteers.
Skills / Abilities
Essential
- Ability to bring creativity to the kitchen, experimenting
- with flavours, textures, and presentation to elevate the
- dining experience.
- Skill in developing menus that balance nutrition, flavour,
- and variety, taking into consideration the diverse needs of
- patients and cafe patrons.
- Excellent time management skills to handle multiple tasks
- efficiently and ensure timely preparation and service of
- meals.
- Strong problem-solving skills to address unexpected
- challenges in the kitchen and find creative solutions.
- Clear and effective communication skills to coordinate with
- kitchen staff, and other team members, ensuring a smooth
- operation in the kitchen.
- Customer service orientation with the ability to interact
- positively with cafe patrons, addressing their needs and
- preferences with a friendly and hospitable demeanour
Desirable
- Proficiency in a foreign language.
- Advanced pastry skills.
- Skills in social media for the promotion of the cafe's
- culinary offerings.
- Expertise in large-scale event catering.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to handle high-stress situations calmly and
- efficiently, maintaining composure during peak dining
- hours or unexpected changes.
- Continuous pursuit of culinary knowledge, staying
- informed about food trends, techniques, and innovations in
- the culinary world.
- A self-starter who uses own initiative.
- Committed to continuous improvement of services.
- A team player with a flexible approach.
- Commitment to equal opportunities.
- Professional, pleasant and friendly demeanour.
- Sensitive and empathetic to patient/carer needs.
- Ability to respond in a calm manner.
- Approachable, confident, compassionate.
Desirable
- A full UK Driving licence.
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.
