Head Chef

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION: HEAD CHEF

REPORTS TO: CATERING AND DOMESTIC TEAM LEADER

ACCOUNTABLE TO: FACILTITES MANAGER

BASED AT: ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE

Job Summary

To be responsible for the management of the day-to-day running of the catering service at the Hospice. Leading the team to ensure that high standards in food quality, safety and service are maintained at all times during shift.

KEY Responsibilities

Management of all food preparation, cooking and serving to the highest standard of all meals in the Hospice, ensuring efficiency and consistent high quality is met at all times.

Managing timing and sequence of operations required to meet serving times and patient requirements.

Managing food hygiene regulations, Safer Food Better Business, HACCP and COSHH within the hospice kitchen on a daily basis.

Creating new and innovative menus for patients, employees and visitors.

Managing all donated food produce, being adaptable and creative with menus to ensure there is minimum waste.

Responsible for managing stock levels within the Hospice kitchens.

To replenish vending machines as required.

Responsible for placing all orders for consumables and supplies for the catering department, following procurement procedures and policies in place. Achieving the best price vs quality.

To receive and check deliveries, ensuring the correct storage of all provisions and to delegate such duties as appropriate.

Creating and costing of new ideas for the café and specials for front of house.

To be responsible for cash handling and till reconciliation.

To ensure daily cleaning schedules are completed and signed. Ensuring a high level of hygiene and cleanliness is maintained at all times by self and team daily.

Scheduling of full or ad hoc cleans.

Liaise with Catering and Domestic Team Leader, regarding catering for special events in the Hospice, including calculating extra supplies needed for the event and agreeing extra staffing levels.

Ensuring correct processes are in place to capture food allergens, on all products created in the kitchen, including retail outlet supplies.

Management Responsibilities

Manage the complex needs of patients dietary requirements. Ensuring at all times that all allergens and special diets are adhered to, and compliance procedures are being followed, for example allergen labels correct and in place.

Daily management of the cooks, catering assistants and catering volunteers on shift, ensuring that the highest standards of hygiene are maintained and that food hygiene regulations are strictly adhered to by all.

Manage daily schedule and workflow to ensure all duties are covered within the team, including when sickness or absence occurs.

Management and recruitment of volunteers

To ensure the cost effective use of supplies and equipment.

To co-ordinate, when required, the catering rotas to ensure that all annual leave, sickness, absence etc. is covered. To provide such cover as necessary.

To be the delegate in the absence of the Catering and Domestic Team Leader.

Personal Responsibilities

To recognise indications of staff stress and to facilitate staff support.

To be responsible in the induction of all new staff and volunteers as required.

To report mechanical defects via the help desk.

To log all incidents, accidents and near misses of the online portal.

Educational Responsibilities

To participate in the Hospice education programme.

To give feedback from attended education programmes/study days.

Personal Development

To devise with the Catering and Domestic Team Leader a personal development plan in line with the Hospice objectives and personal needs.

To maintain and increase personal professional skills.

Organisational Responsibilities

To work at all times within the policies of the Hospice and act within Care Standards at all times.

To uphold the Hospice and individual team values at all times.

To ensure effective use of resources.

To respect at all times the confidentiality of information covering patients, staff and volunteers.

To play an active part in the development and maintenance of good relationships with all who have business with the Hospice.

To promote the Hospice philosophy of care towards patients, relatives and visitors.

Because of the special nature of the Hospice and its work, the post holder may on occasion be asked to undertake other duties to help maintain our high standard of care.

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT NECESSARILY EXHAUSTIVE AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE CATERING AND DOMESTIC TEAM LEADER IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POSTHOLDER.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous catering experience of running a kitchen
• Previous experience catering for events and functions.
• Extensive knowledge of diets and allergies.
• Confident and competent of hygiene regulations Safer Food Better Business.
• IT literate, Word & Excel experience

Desirable

• Experience in healthcare environment

Qualifications

Essential

• Food Hygiene certificate Level 3
• NVQ Level 1 & 2 (706 Level 1 & 2) or equivalent experience.
• COSHH Awareness

Desirable

• Health & Safety Certificate
• First Aid Certificate

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Leadership skills ability to motivate, delegate and communicate to team.
• Ability to communicate well with people on routine and operational matters.
• Excellent inter-personal skills.
• Team player - co-operative and friendly attitude.
• Flexible and positive work ethic.
• Creative and innovative approach to food thinking
• Flexible approach to working hours.
• Excellent organisational skills and timekeeping.
• Ability to think on your feet and solution focused.
• Creative eye for details.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

St Elizabeth Hospice

Address

565 Foxhall Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP3 8LX

Employer's website

https://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)