Job summary
Are you a passionate and skilled Chef looking for a rewarding role thats about more than just food?
Join us at Ashgate Hospicewhere your creativity and care will directly impact the wellbeing of patients, families, visitors, volunteers, and staff. Were looking for someone who takes pride in preparing nutritious, comforting mealsand understands how food can bring joy, dignity, and connection during some of lifes most challenging times.
Why Join Us?
At Ashgate Hospice, were not your typical kitchen. Our catering service plays a vital role in the care we provide, particularly in meeting the specific dietary needs of our patients. While the kitchen is busy and fast-paced, it's a different kind of pressureone focused on care and consistency rather than incoming orders.
Youll have the support and space to focus on preparing high-quality, nourishing meals with purpose, in a calm and friendly environment where compassion and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do.
If you're ready to step away from the demands of traditional catering and want to use your skills in a more meaningful and fulfilling setting, this could be the perfect role for you.
Main duties of the job
Main duties:
- Leading the kitchen during shifts, ensuring high standards of food quality and safety.
- Preparing and serving fresh, nutritious, and often bespoke meals for patients, visitors, and staff.
- Supervising and supporting Catering Assistants and volunteers, helping to organise tasks and oversee service.
- Maintaining a safe, clean, and well-organised kitchen, upholding food hygiene and HACCP standards.
- Continuously improving our catering service, working with the team to develop menus and uphold best practices.
- Mentoring and training team members, sharing knowledge and supporting professional development.
We are looking for a dedicated and experienced catering professional who is a true team player. You will hold an NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation (or equivalent) and a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, and bring with you at least three years experience working in a busy catering environment.
You must be confident in preparing meals from scratch, with a strong understanding of nutritional needs and dietary requirements, ensuring every dish supports the health and wellbeing of our patients.
Youll also need to demonstrate the ability to support and guide volunteers and show flexibility in supporting different areas of the catering service as needed.
Compassion and respect are central to this role, so were looking for someone with a caring and sensitive approach to patients and their families, and a friendly, professional manner when working with staff, volunteers, and visitors.
About us
Ashgate Hospice, based in North Derbyshire, offers free palliative and end of life care for adults with life-limiting or incurable illnesses, including cancer, neurological diseases, and advanced heart, kidney, and lung conditions. Last year, we cared for over 2,400 people.
Our aim is to support our patients by keeping them informed, managing their symptoms, and improving their quality of life from diagnosis onwards.
We also provide vital support to the people who are important to them, offering practical assistance and emotional support, including bereavement services.
We're more than a care provider. We're a campaigner for sustainable end of life care funding in the UK, and we continually invest in our services and workforce.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will play a key role in leading the
hospices food production during shifts, ensuring that patients, visitors,
staff, and volunteers receive freshly prepared, nutritious meals that meet
their dietary needs. With a creative and skilled approach to cooking, they
will prepare high-quality, seasonal dishes and contribute to the development
of inspiring menus.
In addition to meal preparation, the role includes
overseeing in-house buffets for meetings, conferences, and events. The post
holder will effectively lead and supervise the catering team, primarily in
the kitchen but also in other relevant areas, ensuring smooth and efficient
service.
Working closely with the Head Chef, they will assist in
managing IT systems and staff rotas to maintain an organised and efficient
catering operation. They will also contribute to regular service reviews to
ensure the catering department delivers cost-effective, high-quality, and
diverse meal options that align with the needs of the hospice and its
patients.
The post holder will be responsibile for supervising Catering Assistants and volunteers, as well as providing rota cover when required. They must demonstrate behaviour that reflect hopsice's values of compassion, teamwork, respect, openness and inclusivity.
For full details of what the role includes please read the attached Job Description or call Mark Taylor on 01246 568801.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will play a key role in leading the
hospices food production during shifts, ensuring that patients, visitors,
staff, and volunteers receive freshly prepared, nutritious meals that meet
their dietary needs. With a creative and skilled approach to cooking, they
will prepare high-quality, seasonal dishes and contribute to the development
of inspiring menus.
In addition to meal preparation, the role includes
overseeing in-house buffets for meetings, conferences, and events. The post
holder will effectively lead and supervise the catering team, primarily in
the kitchen but also in other relevant areas, ensuring smooth and efficient
service.
Working closely with the Head Chef, they will assist in
managing IT systems and staff rotas to maintain an organised and efficient
catering operation. They will also contribute to regular service reviews to
ensure the catering department delivers cost-effective, high-quality, and
diverse meal options that align with the needs of the hospice and its
patients.
The post holder will be responsibile for supervising Catering Assistants and volunteers, as well as providing rota cover when required. They must demonstrate behaviour that reflect hopsice's values of compassion, teamwork, respect, openness and inclusivity.
For full details of what the role includes please read the attached Job Description or call Mark Taylor on 01246 568801.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to work towards Level 3 Intermediate).
- NVQ Level 2 qualification in Food Preparation.
Desirable
- Experience of working with HACCP-based systems.
- Knowledge and experience of HACCP and food safety procedures.
- First Aid qualification.
- Intermediate or Advanced Food Hygiene Certificate.
Experience
Essential
- At least 12 years experience in a similar role.
- Experience in menu planning, pricing, and cost control.
- Strong knife skills with a focus on safe and efficient use.
- Ability to plan ahead for rotas and menu schedules.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational and time management abilities.
- Ability to supervise and delegate tasks effectively to Catering Assistants.
- Experience working in a busy kitchen as a cook or chef.
- Experience working as part of a team.
- Stock-taking experience.
- Previous experience in a food preparation environment.
- Strong knowledge of traditional British and international cuisine, with an understanding of ingredient pairings.
- Experience working within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to manage a busy and diverse catering environment while maintaining a high standard of patient, client, and customer service.
- Ability to remain calm and perform effectively under pressure.
- Knowledge of food allergies, intolerances, and the preparation of specialised dietary menus (e.g., gluten-free, lactose-free).
- Understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements.
Desirable
- Experience in stock management and procurement, working with a range of suppliers.
- A solid understanding of food hygiene, health & safety, and COSHH regulations.
- Ability to motivate and work effectively within a team of staff and volunteers.
- Experience working in a healthcare setting.
- Previous experience in hospitality or healthcare catering.
- Knowledge of ingredients and their nutritional value, including how to increase calorific content where necessary.
- Experience supervising and motivating a team.
- Experience working with and supporting volunteers.
- Understanding of the IDDSI framework and its application in a catering environment.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- High standards of personal hygiene.
- Willingness to adapt to change.
- Ability to manage a high volume of orders during peak periods.
- Commitment to ongoing training and professional development.
- Access to independent means of travel
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to work towards Level 3 Intermediate).
- NVQ Level 2 qualification in Food Preparation.
Desirable
- Experience of working with HACCP-based systems.
- Knowledge and experience of HACCP and food safety procedures.
- First Aid qualification.
- Intermediate or Advanced Food Hygiene Certificate.
Experience
Essential
- At least 12 years experience in a similar role.
- Experience in menu planning, pricing, and cost control.
- Strong knife skills with a focus on safe and efficient use.
- Ability to plan ahead for rotas and menu schedules.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational and time management abilities.
- Ability to supervise and delegate tasks effectively to Catering Assistants.
- Experience working in a busy kitchen as a cook or chef.
- Experience working as part of a team.
- Stock-taking experience.
- Previous experience in a food preparation environment.
- Strong knowledge of traditional British and international cuisine, with an understanding of ingredient pairings.
- Experience working within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to manage a busy and diverse catering environment while maintaining a high standard of patient, client, and customer service.
- Ability to remain calm and perform effectively under pressure.
- Knowledge of food allergies, intolerances, and the preparation of specialised dietary menus (e.g., gluten-free, lactose-free).
- Understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements.
Desirable
- Experience in stock management and procurement, working with a range of suppliers.
- A solid understanding of food hygiene, health & safety, and COSHH regulations.
- Ability to motivate and work effectively within a team of staff and volunteers.
- Experience working in a healthcare setting.
- Previous experience in hospitality or healthcare catering.
- Knowledge of ingredients and their nutritional value, including how to increase calorific content where necessary.
- Experience supervising and motivating a team.
- Experience working with and supporting volunteers.
- Understanding of the IDDSI framework and its application in a catering environment.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- High standards of personal hygiene.
- Willingness to adapt to change.
- Ability to manage a high volume of orders during peak periods.
- Commitment to ongoing training and professional development.
- Access to independent means of travel
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.
