Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Chef

The closing date is 14 October 2025

Job summary

Cook with Purpose - Join the NHS Catering Team at Yeovil District Hospital

We're looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Chef to join our dynamic Catering Services team at Yeovil District Hospital. This is your chance to make a real difference by preparing nutritious, high-quality meals that support the recovery and wellbeing of patients, while also serving staff and visitors.

You'll join a team of 9 Chefs, including 2 apprentices. Shifts are predictable and include 6am-2pm, 8am-4pm and 11am-7pm and 2 weekends on,1 off. You'll receive enhanced pay rates for weekend and bank holiday working, in line with NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions.

  • Base Salary: 24,625 - 25,674 per annum.
  • Enhanced Pay Rates:
  • Saturday shifts: +35%
  • Sundays & Bank Holidays: +69%
  • Typical Annual Earnings: £35,000-£40,000 including enhancements.

Main duties of the job

As a Chef, you'll be responsible for preparing and cooking a wide range of meals, including special dietary options, in a fast-paced hospital kitchen. You'll ensure all food is produced to the highest standards of safety, taste, and presentation, while maintaining strict hygiene and cleanliness protocols. You'll also support stock control, deliveries, and occasionally supervise Catering Assistants when acting as the duty chef.

We're looking for someone with previous experience in a professional kitchen, a good understanding of food hygiene standards, and a passion for delivering excellent service. A Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate is desirable, but training can be provided.

If you're ready to bring your culinary skills to a role that truly matters, we'd love to hear from you.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-PU-2414

Job locations

Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Job description

Job responsibilities

For a full breakdown of the role with a detailed person specification please see the full attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a full breakdown of the role with a detailed person specification please see the full attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Please see attached Job Description
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Please see attached Job Description

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

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head Chef

Derek James

Derek.james@somersetft.nhs.uk

01935384218

Details

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-PU-2414

Job locations

Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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