Most care home kitchens are understaffed chaos where you're just keeping heads above water. We're different: a home where the cook is celebrated as the person who genuinely shapes residents' days, three times over. If you've got real cooking experience and you're ready to work in a kitchen where your skills actually matter, where menus are planned thoughtfully and food is prepared with care, this is the role that's been waiting for you
Picture this: it's Monday morning and you're walking into a kitchen that runs like clockwork. You've got four weeks of menus planned with the head chef, special dietary needs already flagged by care staff, and a real system in place. Your job is to deliver consistent, quality meals that residents look forward to - breakfast, lunch and dinner - and you'll do that knowing that what lands on their plates genuinely matters to their wellbeing and happiness
You'll be working 40 hours a week, 8am to 6pm, which means you're part of the daytime team. Weekends included, yes, but you'll know your rota, you'll have genuine support, and you won't be trying to cook for a home of vulnerable young people on your own with no backup. HACCP documentation is handled properly. Equipment issues are reported and fixed. You get proper training through the in-house platform and access to fully funded apprenticeship courses if you want to grow
This is a home built on values that actually mean something: diversity, integrity, fun, commitment and real connection. You'll be part of a team where people genuinely care about the residents and about each other. That's not corporate speak - it's baked into how this service operates every single day
What you will be doing
- Prepare all meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, maintaining high food hygiene standards and HACCP documentation throughout
- Cook special diet meals exactly as instructed by care staff, with careful attention to portion control and quality
- Work with the head chef on four-weekly menu planning to keep meals varied, nutritious and appealing
- Report any equipment defects immediately to the home manager so nothing disrupts service
- Carry out ad hoc kitchen duties to support smooth running of mealtimes and meet residents' needs
Why you will love working here
- £15 per hour (£31,200 per annum) on a full-time, permanent contract with a guaranteed yearly salary review
- 28 days annual leave including bank holidays, so you get real time to rest and recharge
- Workplace pension because we value your future as much as your present
- Free DBS check (terms apply) and completely free in-house training via the learning platform, plus access to fully funded apprenticeship courses if you want to develop further
- Refer a friend scheme worth up to £750 per referral, because good people deserve to be rewarded for bringing good people
Is this you?
- You've got proper cooking experience - you know your way around a professional kitchen and you're confident with food preparation techniques
- You can work independently and as part of a team, showing real creativity and genuine passion for cooking good food
- You're organised, detail-oriented and can prioritise tasks even when the kitchen gets busy
- You communicate clearly with care staff about dietary needs and with your team about what's needed
- You're already entitled to work in the UK, or you can secure the right to work independently
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.