Head Chef

Job responsibilities

You will oversee menu planning, ordering, costing, and stock management. It is crucial to maintain compliance with Health and Hygiene regulations and Food Safety procedures. Accurate record-keeping is essential for internal and external audits.

Collaboration within the team is key, and you should be comfortable working calmly in a fast-paced environment.

Understanding cooking techniques, temperatures, allergens, consistency and food texture is essential. Additionally, you will contribute creative and appealing ideas for our extensive menus.

Observing correct and safe procedures in accordance with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

To maintain all due-diligence processes relating to cook-chill cooking procedures as stated in the Trust food safety policy.

Ensure all food stored in fridges/freezers have correct labelling and are properly stored and rotated.

Ensuring economical and correct use of all materials and equipment.

Ensuring the highest level of hygiene and cleanliness is always maintained.

Covering for another Chefs as and when required.

Assure a high level of staff morale and motivation by personal leadership, communication and appropriate procedures

Help deal with customers feed-back and complaints.

Maintaining a tidy place of work including undertaking light cleaning duties.

Always maintaining neat appearance consistent with the catering dress code.

To any mechanical or safety defects and need for repairs to the supervisor for immediate action.

To attend training courses where necessary.

To be able to work flexibly as and when required.

Participation in the departments appraisal scheme.

Always promote the service and reputation of the department.

Full awareness of all dietary requirements.

Any other duties commensurate with the grade for the efficient running of the department.

Safe working practices in the retail kitchen in accordance with good catering practice and provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

To report any accident immediately as per the Accident Procedurein accordance with Trust policy and Incident Reporting Form.

Adhere to departmental operational standards and procedures.

Follow and adhere to the Trust Values and Behaviour.

To observe and where necessary, follow all Fire Precautions as laid out within the general hospital guidelines.

Skills

Essential

• Ability to work unsupervised
• Good communicator both verbal and written
• Ability to follow instructions
• Ability to work within set deadlines
• Ability to co-ordinate multiple tasks

Desirable

• Previous customer care training
• Understanding of what constitutes good customer service

Knowledge

Essential

• To be proactive and organized in day-day department / service operations
• Knowledge of food hygiene regulations
• Good customer care

Desirable

• Knowledge of how NHS operates
• Knowledge of hospital Catering Services
• Health and Safety at Work

Previous Experience

Essential

• Previous experience working within a Catering environment
• Understanding of Basic Food Hygiene principles, with the ability to attain Basic Food Hygiene Certification

Desirable

• NHS experience
• Working large scale food service unit

Qualifications

Desirable

• Basic Food Hygiene qualification
• Health and Safety training

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Flexibility
• Integrity and discretion
• Organised and methodical in approach to work
• Good communication Skills
• Calm under pressure
• Team worker & leader

Desirable

• Creative
• Outgoing, friendly personality

Any other factors relating to the post

Essential

• Ability to build up good relationships with staff at all levels, especially internal customers

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).