ChefNHS

Job summary

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Chef to lead the day-to-day operations of our kitchen during allocated shifts. In this role, you will do much more than cook; you will ensure the delivery of high-quality, nutritious, and safe food production that directly impacts patient wellbeing and customer experience. Working as part of a collaborative and flexible team, you will champion excellent food safety, customer service, and operational standards while embodying the core values of the hospice.

Various shifts available covering 7:00am to 7:00pm including weekends

In addition to being part of a wonderful local charity, the hospice offers a generous benefit package, including:

27 days annual leave entitlement

Pension scheme (NHS pension transferable)

Life Cover

Free Car Parking

Cycle to Work & Car Leasing Scheme

Health Service Discounts

Occupational Sick Pay

Blue Light Card

Employee Assistance Programme

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT OFFER SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Leadership - Lead the operations of the kitchen, guiding the catering team to ensure smooth, efficient daily service.

High-Quality Food Production - Prepare, cook, and present nutritious, appealing meals tailored to the dietary requirements of patients, as well as comforting options for visitors and staff.

Standards & Compliance - Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene, and health and safety standards across all food prep and storage areas.

Customer Excellence - Ensure an outstanding dining experience for everyone, demonstrating empathy and responsiveness to patient and family feedback.

Team Collaboration - Support the wider catering team, fostering a positive, flexible, and cohesive working environment.

What we are looking for

Proven experience working as a Chef, ideally within a healthcare, care home, or high-standard hospitality environment.

Strong knowledge of food hygiene regulations (Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate or the commitment to attain. NVQ Level 2 Professional Cookery.

Ability to adapt menus to meet specific nutritional or medical dietary needs.

Excellent communication, leadership, and customer service skills.

A compassionate, flexible approach to work, with a commitment to supporting the values of a local charity.

Job description

Job title

Chef

Reports to

Head Chef

Department

Catering / Sustainable Estates

Based at

Ipswich

Job summary

To contribute to the delivery of high-quality catering services that support care of patients, visitors, colleagues and volunteers through the provision of a safe, nutritious and responsive catering service. Working as part of a flexible team, the postholder will help maintain excellent food safety, customer service and operational standards whilst supporting the wider values of St Elizabeth Hospice.

The Chef leads the day-to-day operation of the kitchen during allocated shifts, ensuring high quality food production, excellent patient experiences, and safe, efficient catering operations whilst supporting the entire catering team.

Safeguarding responsibilities

To demonstrate a commitment to keeping adults and young people safe

To report any disclosure made to you to the appropriate person

To report any safeguarding concerns in the workplace to the appropriate person

To maintain an awareness of the hospices policies in relation to safeguarding

Key responsibilities

Lead the preparation and service of high-quality meals across the Hospice

Coordinate kitchen operations to deliver a safe and efficient service

Ensure compliance with food safety, HACCP and allergen requirements

Deliver responsive catering that meets individual dietary needs

Support and develop Catering Assistants and Volunteers during shifts

Promote high standards of quality, presentation and patient experiences

Support stock management and minimise food waste

Contribute to continuous improvement and service development

The Catering Team operates across early, mid and late shifts, seven days a week, to meet the needs of patients, visitors and colleagues. All members of the team are expected to work flexibly across shift patterns and support colleagues across functions where required.

Responsibilities for all staff

Act as a positive ambassador for St Elizabeth Hospice

Where the postholder is a member of a professional body, comply to the professional standards set by that body. Ensure registration is current and practice continuous professional development.

Because of the special nature of the hospice and its work, the postholder may on occasion be asked to undertake other duties to help maintain our high standards of care and engagement.

This job description is not necessarily exhaustive and may be subject to review by the line manager in conjunction with the postholder.

About us

St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent charity & hospice, which improves life for people in the East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth & Waveney areas living with a progressive or life-limiting illness.

Last year the charity supported over 4,000 patients & their families. The hospices work is centred on the individual's needs and they provide specialist support wherever it is needed; whether that is in the home, another setting in the community, in hospital or in the hospice itself. Support is provided to patients & their families via the Inpatient Unit, the Community Care Unit including outpatients clinics, home visits from the community nursing, medical or therapy team, the OneCall 24/7 telephone helpline & bereavement support.

St Elizabeth Hospice is committed to safeguarding & protecting the adults & young people that we work with & has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect & discrimination of any person. As such, all posts are subject to a rigorous safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records & vetting checks. We have a range of robust safeguarding policies in place which promote safeguarding across the hospice & staff are expected to undertake regular, mandatory safeguarding training to equip them with the knowledge & skills to identify & respond to potential risks.