Job summary
We are seeking a qualified & experienced cook/chef to join our Facilities Team providing freshly prepared hot & cold food to service users, visitors, & staff across Bradford District Care Trust. The successful applicants will be mainly based at Lynfield Mount Hospital but must be willing to work at Airedale Centre for Mental Health should the need arise.
In recent years we have achieved and retained ISO 9001 Quality Assurance, we are one of the best PLACE in house NHS catering providers in England and we continue to improve our scoring year on year, both our sites also hold Bradford Environmental Health rating of 5.
Successful applicants must be highly motivated, willing to work as part of a team to deliver the highest standards of hygiene in food production across all our service areas complying with legislation and local procedures as well as providing a quality service to meet all our stakeholder needs.
You will be working on a rota 37.5 hours per week - Over 5 days to include weekends in our busy production kitchens which provide freshly prepared quality meals 365 days a year. This will be a six-week rolling Rota shifts are:
Closing Date: 7th December 2025
Shortlisting: 10th December 2025
Interviews: 17th December 2025
Main duties of the job
List of generic/duties/responsibilities undertaken on a regular basis:
Preparation of vegetables, sauces & other meal accompaniments
Preparation of main meals for both cook/serve and cook/chill units
Preparation of salads, sandwiches & other cold dishes
Preparation of breakfasts for patients & staff
Adherence to recipes and methods
Correct & economical use of equipment and materials to meet Health and Safety Regulations
Regeneration of cook/chill dishes.
Receipt of deliveries checking for quality & quantity and ensuring correct storage.
Service of meals and beverages to patients & staff and the washing of crockery, dishes & utensils
Cleaning of equipment & work areas to meet standards of cleanliness and hygiene
Observing & enforcing all food hygiene policies, procedures & documentation
Delivery of meals/hospitality to Service Users/Staff/Visitors using Trust vehicles
This job description is not meant to be exhaustive. It describes the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It may be subject to change in the light of developing organizational and service needs
About us
Everything we do is underpinned by our core values: -
We Care - We act with respect and empathy, and always value differenceWe Listen - We understand people's views and respond to their individual needsWe Deliver - We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners
We will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements to enable staff to balance their work and home lives and support staff by offering a fantastic range of benefits including :
Increase mileage rates for > 3500
A wide range of health and wellbeing support packages
A range of internal and external development and learning opportunitiesPlus many more.
We are also proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement acrossall service areas and activities.
The Trust reserves the right to close this position early if a significant number of applications are received.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship set by the Home Office and the skilled worker visa occupation list.
If you are currently a visa holder and your visa status expires, we may be required to terminate your employment in compliance with immigration regulations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.
Right to Work in the UK
Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.
Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.
Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trusts eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.
As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.
Right to Work in the UK
Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.
Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.
Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trusts eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.
As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- C & G 706/1 & 706/2 or NVQ level 2 Food Preparation and Cooking or equivalent
- Level 2 Certificate in Food Safety
Desirable
- C & G 706/3 or NVQ Level 3 in Food Preparation and Cooking or equivalent
- Level 3 Certificate in Food Safety
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience in food production & service
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience in non-hospital facility
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of fresh ingredients and basic recipes and methods
Desirable
- Cook/Chill Production
- Experience of Cultural & Religious Meal preperation
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- C & G 706/1 & 706/2 or NVQ level 2 Food Preparation and Cooking or equivalent
- Level 2 Certificate in Food Safety
Desirable
- C & G 706/3 or NVQ Level 3 in Food Preparation and Cooking or equivalent
- Level 3 Certificate in Food Safety
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience in food production & service
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience in non-hospital facility
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of fresh ingredients and basic recipes and methods
Desirable
- Cook/Chill Production
- Experience of Cultural & Religious Meal preperation
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.
